Painting and Prep - Eyelids and Grille

[Blind Kid Seeks]

Hi Guys,

Just bought a grille and some eyelids for my 03 stivo...

just wanted to know if anyone would like to walk me through the prep and painting they went through?

also planning on doing the rear mud flaps.

tips and tricks appreciated.

regards

Andy.

Before i get flamed... i searched... there's about a zillion posts on painiting calipers.

[Kenji]

I don't think many people painted the eyelids or grills themselves. They usually took them to a panel beater who can match your car color and got them to paint them. Usually doesn't cost much

about $30 for eyelids and $30 for the grill.

[Blind Kid Seeks]

I don't think many people painted the eyelids or grills themselves. They usually took them to a panel beater who can match your car color and got them to paint them. Usually doesn't cost much

about $30 for eyelids and $30 for the grill.

oh right? well... i might just get the paint code from the chassis and paint them myself.

i figure primer + paint + clear... see how we do.

[bonbon]

I did it myself

Here goes:

They came unpainted so I had to sand it down, and prime it, 3 layers of primer and alot of sanding!

Then 2 layers of some Random Red I found at home, couldnt be bothered leaving the hosue

It's Centre Red, turned out to match the colour of my car pretty well, i would of done more layers but i ran out of paint.

Last came 3 clear coats with sanding in between to get a smooth finish, pretty happy with it, just got annoyed i was doing it outside so dust and glass did fall onto them. You can see that i did one better than the other...

Mounting tape, this stuff is actually pretty strong!

Final product

Use a rough sandpaper when its raw to smooth it out, but before you prime it swtich to a finer one, give it a wet sand with some really fine paper between coats.

try to do it when airtemps are not so cold, the paint comes out more even

i did this when i was sick at home one day, turned out pretty good, i would of left it as is, but had a little bump a few days later and the panel beaters repainted it for me

Edited June 17, 2008 by bonbon-2zzge

[Blind Kid Seeks]

Awesome mate thanks.. i figured that'd be all i need to do...

Are your headlights blacked out around the edges?