Painting a chipped grille...

[channelmaniac]

Hey guys,

My 03 has a nice billet grille in it but the paint is all chipped up from debris (man... I'm glad that crap is hitting it instead of the radiator!)

I'm wanting to repaint it black as that would look better with the stripes but am trying to figure out 2 things...

1. An easy way to clean it (maybe sandblasting???)
2. What paint to use that would be highly chip resistant (maybe enamel appliance paint?)

Any thoughts?

Raymond

[fwMiata]

rhino liner?

[channelmaniac]

Hmmm... I wonder how thick that stuff would go on... Don't want to block too much airflow, but that is a good idea for something that would be mega tough!

RJ

[Treibenschnell]

Hmmm... I wonder how thick that stuff would go on... Don't want to block too much airflow, but that is a good idea for something that would be mega tough!

RJ

Way too thick and way too heavy...


Have it powdercoated.

[twodoggs]

I'd recommend a powder coat on it. I have seen some serious stuuff hit powdercoating and nothing seems to hurt it. (and looks great as well) I think you would be very satisfied....Dogg

[altiain]

I'd second the powdercoat suggestion.

[channelmaniac]

Thanks guys,

Any pointers as to who would do a good job? Not looking for TCB pricing... want a medium priced shop since you can only have 2 of the 3 things: good, cheap, or fast.

Raymond

[twodoggs]

There is a powder coat place right off Airport Freeway at Minnis Rd. by Safteykleen (north side of freeway) but most powdercoat shops are pretty reasonable. They are everywhere as well. To save money ,you may want to blast it with pecan shells. You can call sandblast shops and ask if they offer pecan shell blasting. I've done this to motorcycle parts prior to chroming. No material is lost or dented using this method. I'll look around here and get back to you....Dogg

[Thorage327]

just priced alot of sandblasting for some BMW parts $80 an hour with no clear estimate of how long it would take

i've used www.topkoat.com a few times- he's very fair, and will strip it for you.

another option is a badass ceramic coating (rather tuff, and SHINY )
Performance Coating in arlington has done this for me on alot of headers and intakes (formula atlantic on down to SBC headers) (817) 274-1947
they have many shades of bling.....

[channelmaniac]

Kewl!

With the stripes on the car it looks like I'll want to grille to be black as I think a bright & shiny grille would look ugly.

With some nice weather today I'll be washing the car & taking pics

Raymond

[Treibenschnell]

I'll... taking pics

'Bout damn time.... I've been waiting to see your stripes.

[channelmaniac]

PM me and I'll send you pics that Larry took after finishing the car...

I resized one and set it as my avatar...

RJ

[Treibenschnell]

Just post the damn things... share with everyone!

[channelmaniac]

I will as soon as *I* get the car washed & take the pictures...

These pics are the ones Larry did when finished with the car.

RJ

[Treibenschnell]

Yeah... and? Geez... you're among friends here... just show off the stripes already! I've been dying to see what an atomic loogie looks like with stripes!