Mods - Exterior Discussion related to the looks of the exterior of the HHR.

Painted Grilles

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-19-2015, 02:33 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
BQS4's Avatar
 
Join Date: 08-10-2008
Location: Snellville, GA
Posts: 239
Painted Grilles

Yes, I searched this, but, other than one member saying they peeled the metal off, those of you who painted their grille, did you just paint over the chrome/satin metal, or does it have to come off to paint the grille another color?
BQS4 is offline  
Old 04-19-2015, 03:17 PM
  #2  
Banned
 
LawDog88's Avatar
 
Join Date: 10-02-2010
Location: Port Huron, MI
Posts: 5,933
Have you considered plasti-dip?
LawDog88 is offline  
Old 04-19-2015, 04:40 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
BQS4's Avatar
 
Join Date: 08-10-2008
Location: Snellville, GA
Posts: 239
Originally Posted by LawDog88
Have you considered plasti-dip?
If plasti dip has a primer, that would work, but, what I want is the grille to match the body color, Summit White.
BQS4 is offline  
Old 04-19-2015, 05:00 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
solman98's Avatar
 
Join Date: 07-17-2006
Location: Dallas, GA
Posts: 6,050
It's plated plastic, just sand, prime, & paint.
solman98 is offline  
Old 04-19-2015, 05:17 PM
  #5  
Administrator
 
Oldblue's Avatar
 
Join Date: 10-13-2011
Location: Welland,Ont Canada
Posts: 36,458
I stripped the chrome off because the chips and divots were right thru to the plastic!
You can sand prime and paint the grille.

I sanded the plastic primed it with high solids and sanded smooth, then color sprayed 4 light coats with 20 minute flash time between coats.
Attached Images  

Last edited by Oldblue; 04-20-2015 at 01:58 PM.
Oldblue is offline  
Old 04-20-2015, 09:10 AM
  #6  
New Member
 
MetallicBlue's Avatar
 
Join Date: 04-08-2015
Location: Western NY
Posts: 13
I plasti-dipped mine on Sat flat black. Unconfident in my painting skills or lack there of I figured if I messed it up too bad I'd peel it off. The only prep I did was a light steel wool and water. We'll see how long it lasts. I'd recommend at least two cans of dip if you go that route. I would have loved to do a nice 4th coat but I ran out. Was so easy when more arrives I may do it again but at the very least I have more if it chips or peels. I thought it looks good enough to paint the OEM wheel covers black to match as they were badly curb rashed anyway...looks good with the Metallic Blue body and no discernible chrome.
MetallicBlue is offline  
Old 04-20-2015, 11:34 AM
  #7  
Premium Member
 
BlindLizard's Avatar
 
Join Date: 08-26-2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 231
I had mine painted to match the car. Color match was good but the body shop didn't prep the grill well enough so I get flake off places. Rock chips are also a problem so touch up paint applications are continual. Give it a shot and sand, paint or plasti- dip. Should work better than what I paid for.
BlindLizard is offline  
Old 04-20-2015, 12:05 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Twistedtat's Avatar
 
Join Date: 09-18-2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 277
As mentioned above, I sanded, primed and painted mine. Been on there for almost two years with no chips etc.. Good Luck
Twistedtat is offline  
Old 05-21-2015, 10:35 AM
  #9  
Member
 
henr1e's Avatar
 
Join Date: 03-17-2014
Location: Ga
Posts: 30
Using adhesion promoter is a good idea also for the paint to adhere really well.
henr1e is offline  
Old 05-21-2015, 08:40 PM
  #10  
Member
 
redridehhr's Avatar
 
Join Date: 01-13-2013
Location: Belvidere,IL
Posts: 78
Plasti Dip first then rattle can over it. No need to sand. Just clean well. The rubber base is a little more flexible when it comes to rocks. I would paint it so it's easier to clean.
redridehhr is offline  


Quick Reply: Painted Grilles



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:59 PM.