Painting SR Grille

GK · 25-04-2006, 09:33 PM

G'day everyone.

I'm thinking of painting the SR's grille from Congo Green to black. I originally wanted to get a Fairmont one with the beehive mesh and chrome surround ala BLC's car. Is it actually a Fairmont or Ghia or was the grille put on later?

Falcon SR has one in black in the special build thread. His is a S3 I think. Did the S3 come out with the grille black as standard?

I personally think the green grille is a little too much and wish to change it. i like BLC's but don't have the cash, hence the idea of painting it black.

I think matt black would look best, gloss would be too blingy!

What surface prep would I need, not really a painter!

Your thoughts please one and all!

GK

S3SR · 25-04-2006, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GK

Falcon SR has one in black in the special build thread. His is a S3 I think. Did the S3 come out with the grille black as standard?

I think matt black would look best, gloss would be too blingy!

GK

yeah im almost positive the S3 came black standard and i dont no the difference between satin and gloss but i bought satin and it looks great ill post a better pic tomorrow on my build workshop thread

GK · 25-04-2006, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FALCONSR

yeah im almost positive the S3 came black standard and i dont no the difference between satin and gloss but i bought satin and it looks great ill post a better pic tomorrow on my build workshop thread

Look forward to seeing it.

GK

AU2PWR · 25-04-2006, 10:00 PM

Gk , prep material i would use paint stripper , give it a sand to rough it up for somewhere for the paint to stick , then give it an undercoat , then attack it with the black

Thats what i would do

Anyone else have any ideas

Duffman · 25-04-2006, 10:01 PM

I think you can purchase the standard forte grills cheaply from ford or a wrecking yard. This would at least allow you to to have several goes at it without the risk of damaging your own.

Im not sure but ford may sell them coloured already for certain cars that came with them painted, you may be able to purchase a black painted one from ford already.

Another option is hmmm ts50 front bar

GK · 25-04-2006, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duffman

Im not sure but ford may sell them coloured already for certain cars that came with them painted, you may be able to purchase a black painted one from ford already.

Another option is hmmm ts50 front bar

Not enough cash for the bar!

But I may do a bit of a ring around. Thanks for the tip!

GK

GK · 25-04-2006, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SR_AU

Gk , prep material i would use paint stripper , give it a sand to rough it up for somewhere for the paint to stick , then give it an undercoat , then attack it with the black

Thats what i would do

Anyone else have any ideas

Hey Daniel,

I could ring my panel beater tomorrow and ask him how much! At least the job would be shmick, and it's not much painting at all really. Only a small amount of plastic!

GK

S3SR · 26-04-2006, 11:14 AM

take a look some more pics taken today more in my workshop thread

Racecraft · 26-04-2006, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SR_AU

Gk , prep material i would use paint stripper , give it a sand to rough it up for somewhere for the paint to stick , then give it an undercoat , then attack it with the black

Thats what i would do

Anyone else have any ideas

DON"T use paint stripper on plastic!.. Just wet and dry paper your grill with some 1200 grit, wipe on + wipe off liberal amounts of prepsol (wax and grease remover) then apply a very light coat of black.. Let it dry then do another coat or 2 for coverage.

I'd look at some clear coating otherwise you will end up with watermarks in the black everytime you wash it

S3SR · 26-04-2006, 12:28 PM

would the clear coat make it look glossy?

Racecraft · 26-04-2006, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FALCONSR

would the clear coat make it look glossy?

yes it would :(

GK · 26-04-2006, 04:24 PM

How would I go about getting the matt black finish, without the water wash marks?

The clear coat is a good idea, but I don't want the gloss, the Congo Green gloss is what put me off in the first place!

The question then, is this: How did Ford do it matt/satin black, not use clear, and avoid the water wash marks?

BTW, just rang my panel beater. A standard grille job is $80.

That $5 can of black export paint is looking good. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, that's the paint used by falconSR to do his, which is the picture earlier in this thread. Looks a good job too!

GK

eminvil_12 · 26-04-2006, 04:37 PM

export paint isnt the greatest mate.
I wouldnt recomend it at all, i have done a few paintjobs on plastic with it and it does not adhere aswell as plastikote or dupli color.

Ford most likely powder coat the grille. Thats how they can get the matte look.

S3SR · 26-04-2006, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eminvil_12

export paint isnt the greatest mate.
I wouldnt recomend it at all, i have done a few paintjobs on plastic with it and it does not adhere aswell as plastikote or dupli color.

Ford most likely powder coat the grille. Thats how they can get the matte look.

ill see i know u make a point u get what u pay for but really $2.75 from supercheap thats cheaper than $80... but im gonna leave it for a few weeks, pressure hose it, wash it, put it in the rain when i can/want and see how well it really stands but atm it looks really nice alot better than the faded spots all over..... but i'll see if your right then ill invest in some enamel or whatever paint and see which is better

eminvil_12 · 26-04-2006, 05:44 PM

Dupli colour touch up paint.
costs $7-8 per can and should easily get the whole grille painted.

Its entirely your choice, just telling you of my experiences.

S3SR · 26-04-2006, 05:47 PM

where can u get it from

eminvil_12 · 26-04-2006, 06:02 PM

super cheap, k- mart, repco

GK · 26-04-2006, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eminvil_12

Dupli colour touch up paint.
costs $7-8 per can and should easily get the whole grille painted.

Its entirely your choice, just telling you of my experiences.

That's a good idea, a $5 more investment for much better results isn't much!

I actually rang Ford today, got the $120 price for the grille, but a Fairmont Ghia grille and the chrome surrounds would set me back about $335 without painting, so about $415ish all up!

I reckon that $8 buck can is looking really good, some wet and dry, light rub, few hours and voila!

Thanks fellas.

GK

**Uncle_Ken** · 26-04-2006, 06:36 PM

I got matt balck form Super cheap, cleaned and sprayed the grill, no problems for a least six months.
Uncle Ken

chief · 26-04-2006, 08:22 PM

I thought you could buy matt finish clear coat? Maybe I am wrong. Surely a painter would have access to it.

GK · 26-04-2006, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle_Ken

I got matt balck form Super cheap, cleaned and sprayed the grill, no problems for a least six months.
Uncle Ken

Did you use any clear coat? Which brand of matt black?

Any pics Uncle?

GK

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racecraft

I'd look at some clear coating otherwise you will end up with watermarks in the black everytime you wash it

Uncle Ken, what do you think about this comment from racecraft? Did you have watemarks after washing?

GK

GlennBA · 26-04-2006, 08:34 PM

GK have a look at my grille, i did it black and i think it looks pretty good. Its gloss black engine enamel. My original grille was a crappy faded silver colour.

(old picture)

GK · 26-04-2006, 09:19 PM

GlennAUII,

Do you have a close up pic?

Looks nice, I'd love a closer view, I could be persuaded to paint the grille gloss instead of matte!

GK

GlennBA · 26-04-2006, 09:33 PM

GK try this thread mate:
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=33044

**Uncle_Ken** · 26-04-2006, 10:28 PM

Sorry guys (and gals), I don't have a close up of the grill. No gloss, just matt black. I took it off, gave it a good clean (Just stock car wash dead bugs etc), good wipe to remove water. I did let it dry (in the sun) for about 4 hours, then gave it one coat from the front, left it for about 20 mins, another coat from behind, left it again. Another from the front. That was it. Will try to take some pics tomorrow in daylight (I am not wotking in town tomorrow so I get to drive my car

Uncle_Ken

GK · 26-04-2006, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlennAUII

GK try this thread mate:
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=33044

Nice work GlennAUII!

Now I'm unsure about the matte black or gloss!

I'll wait for Uncle Ken's pics before painting, but I'm confident I can do it!

BTW if I don't wait for Uncle Ken's pics, he'll rip my b****y arms off! LOL!

GK

JC · 26-04-2006, 11:51 PM

GK - I would go with the engine enamel. It's harder wearing, and is more of a matt than a gloss colour anyway. Follow racecraft's prep instructions and you can't go wrong.

GK · 27-04-2006, 09:27 AM

Thanks fellas,

I'll get the gear today and give it a go. Pics to follow!

GK

GK · 27-04-2006, 04:57 PM

Got the paint (engine enamel) and some 1500 paper, (they didn't have 1200) and sanded it back, washed it, dried it, sprayed the front, waited ala Uncle Kens directions, sprayed the back and will go the front again in 20 mins or so.

Looks pretty good so far, will take a few pics and post them when I can. I'm using a friends camera and I don't have the cable. The neighbour's son has one though! I could use his perhaps!

Anyway, it's not far from finished! Thanks for all of your advice fellas.

GK

GK · 28-04-2006, 03:11 PM

Hi guys. Finished, just sent a pic to Casper, hope he'll post it for me soon.

Enjoy!

I'm happy with the result for a first time go, thanks again for your advice!

GK