Painting an OEM grill

I have a brand new 2018 Tacoma SR5. Midnight black. It has the stock SR5 grill with TSS.
I purchased this grill below at a decent price, it is the whole grill plus bezel and insert with TSS.
I would like to paint the entire thing Midnight black, except the center badge (just the oval).
I have noticed that "DupiColor" offers paint colors that match Toyota paint codes. So that's what I plan on using for the topcoat.

Does any one have advise on :
Methods to prep the grill ?
Any sort of primer I can be using ?

Should I separate and paint parts separate, or together (id prefer together)


If this is even a good idea ?

 

If you use Dupli-Color as the paint find a different clear coat and use that instead of the Dupli-Color clear coat. Dupli-Color is good but it doesn't last very well. A two-stage clear will last much longer than Dupli-Color.

Something like this will hold up much better. Similar to the factory finish.

https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-s-2k-aerospraytm-high-gloss-matte-clear.html

 

Thanks Trail
This super helpful. It also reminds me that I have a friend who works out of his garage, and has an HVLP gun with clear coat and hardener on hand. I don't like to burden him much, but if I show up with a grill all painted he would help me out.
If he's busy I will use the Eastwood.
Thanks.

 

Anyone have any thoughts on prep or Prime?
Separating parts?

 

I would recommend separating the parts before painting. If you don't you will likely end up with tape lines.

Prep is pretty easy. Since the factory paint is in good shape all you have to do is scuff. Go to an auto parts store and they have some scuff pads that look like large scotch Brite pads that work pretty good. Alternatively you could sand lightly with iirc 600 or 800 grit sandpaper. Clean with a tack pad then a paint prep degreaser (auto parts store or Eastwood should have them). Once the old paint is scuffed and cleaned you should be good to paint.

 

Prep notes taken.

As for separate parts.... I want then all the same color .... black.
Except the inner badge/sensor

 

Might be able to paint them together. Not really sure. If it were me and there isn't a risk of breaking things I would separate them. Less chance of issues.

The one thing I'm not 100% sure on is the chromed bits. I haven't worked with chrome so I don't know how well the paint will stick to it.

 

Cool
I got the whole setup for $85
Hopefully it'll look good enough to bolt on to the new ride.
It had TSS which is the major reason for going with a OEM and trying to paint it the way I like.
Treading lightly on the project and appreciate the advice.

 

As a professional collision repair painter, if you paint anything over that chrome, you will be painting it every year. NO paint will adhere to chrome, no matter what anyone says. I know from experience with an old motorcycle of mine. I took the time and prepped and painted all the chrome “properly” just to sell the bike a year later when it started to bubble up. Clean it well, and Plasti dip it, or soak the chrome in bleach (and be prepared to change the bleach regularly, it may take weeks) until the chrome plating is dissolved and it is a plastic part. Then treat it as a raw plastic part. Especially being on the front end, the first rock chip will start the peeling process. My two cents....

 

Is a OEM grill real chrome ?
Really asking cuz I don't know
Is it plastic wirh chrome coated?

With this grill can I plasti dip it and paint the plasti dip?

Not an expert on painting chrome like Trail said.
This being the grill I bought what's the best I could do?
Leaning toward all black
Maybe paint the gray black and leave the chrome chrome
Or paint the gray Black. Plasti dip the chrome

 

I do significant highway travel

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Looks like plasti dip the chrome parts.
Paint grey parts is the way to go.

 

I would recommend separating the parts, I did just the grille with vht and 10 months later there are a few tiny chips where chrome shows through. Next spring I will plan for another coat.

 

Really cool example!
Mines all black, so I'd want the bezel piece black too.

 

From the picture it looks like the only chrome piece that you need to paint is the bezel. Why don't you just order the SR black bezel and then you don't have to worry abou the the chrome. Just something to think about

 

Take all the pieces apart, be careful with the clips. Use tape to cover the stuff you don’t want painted.

 

It’s going to be chrome plated plastic. The bleach trick works, but is time consuming and after buying a tub big enough to fit the grill, and filling with bleach multiple times, it gets pricey. I’m doing a Gm grill now and I’ve been through $100 in bleach. (And remember proper disposal!) And no to painting over plasti dip. It’s a rubberized coating. But if you clean the chrome properly the plasti dip will last a really long time!

 

Thanks! Been reading on here for a while, took the plunge and finally joined you fine folks!

 

I would second Eastwood recco on their two stage rattle can paint and clear. Have used number of times on motorcycle parts and truck trim. With right prep holds up really well.