SS Specific Service Issues/Repairs Service/Repairs specific to the SS. Turbo-Brembo Brakes-2.0 Engine-Limited Slip Differential-Programmable Display-MU3 Transmission

Front Lower Grille Paint Match

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-01-2022, 11:49 AM
  #1  
Thread Starter
 
Jhetto's Avatar
 
Join Date: 06-01-2022
Location: Michigan
Posts: 2
Front Lower Grille Paint Match

Hello, I am new to the forum but have been a long time lurker. I ordered a new front lower grill because it was cracked in 3 places, I was just wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction of the correct paint or perhaps another matte black plastic paint that will work? Grill came primed gray, Thanks so much!
Jhetto is offline  
Old 06-01-2022, 02:39 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
greg8453's Avatar
 
Join Date: 03-29-2022
Location: Davison MI
Posts: 1,022
I'd have a paint shop hit it for you but you can try Duplicolor.
greg8453 is offline  
Old 06-01-2022, 02:54 PM
  #3  
Platinum Member
 
firemangeorge's Avatar
 
Join Date: 12-06-2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 11,111
I'm guessing you bought some type of aftermarket SS lower grille ? Not an OEM GM replacement ? If so, then any type of quality "plastic" spray can should work. Semi gloss black. You may want to paint both upper and lower grilles at the same time for a good color match.

I've had my factory lower grille off a few times. Don't recalling it being painted. Just molded black plastic.
firemangeorge is online now  
Old 06-01-2022, 03:07 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
greg8453's Avatar
 
Join Date: 03-29-2022
Location: Davison MI
Posts: 1,022
Originally Posted by firemangeorge
I'm guessing you bought some type of aftermarket SS lower grille ? Not an OEM GM replacement ? If so, then any type of quality "plastic" spray can should work. Semi gloss black. You may want to paint both upper and lower grilles at the same time for a good color match.

I've had my factory lower grille off a few times. Don't recalling it being painted. Just molded black plastic.
They are painted. At least they are supposed to be.
greg8453 is offline  
Old 06-01-2022, 03:28 PM
  #5  
Platinum Member
 
firemangeorge's Avatar
 
Join Date: 12-06-2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 11,111
No. Not painted. I tried to scratch mine in an inconspicuous spot. Dug down a little. All I scraped up was plastic shavings. And I've had my SS since new.
Why make a statement that they are "supposed" to be painted ? Aren't you the guy that doesn't even own a HHR much less an HHR SS ?
Here's mine today.

firemangeorge is online now  
Old 06-01-2022, 03:58 PM
  #6  
Moderator
 
donbrew's Avatar
 
Join Date: 01-23-2009
Location: Fredericksburg,VA
Posts: 24,738
And LS/LT has an open hole. The black rubber license plate insert is called "lower grille" on LT/LS.

LS/LT
donbrew is offline  
Old 06-01-2022, 04:14 PM
  #7  
Administrator
 
Oldblue's Avatar
 
Join Date: 10-13-2011
Location: Welland,Ont Canada
Posts: 36,591
The OP says he has an SS in his profile, factory SS upper and lower grilles were cast or injection molded in black plastic.

In the case of the aftermarket, yes a good plastic primer paint to the two grilles and a final coat of black so they match. Be prepared to touch up stone chips !
Oldblue is offline  
Old 06-01-2022, 04:48 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
greg8453's Avatar
 
Join Date: 03-29-2022
Location: Davison MI
Posts: 1,022
Originally Posted by firemangeorge
No. Not painted. I tried to scratch mine in an inconspicuous spot. Dug down a little. All I scraped up was plastic shavings. And I've had my SS since new.
Why make a statement that they are "supposed" to be painted ? Aren't you the guy that doesn't even own a HHR much less an HHR SS ?
Here's mine today.
The new ones come primed and ready for paint but you don't have to paint it.
greg8453 is offline  
Old 06-01-2022, 05:07 PM
  #9  
Platinum Member
 
firemangeorge's Avatar
 
Join Date: 12-06-2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 11,111
Read a little closer. The primed part you refer to is the color matching outer shell of the grille assembly. It is (was) sold that way by GM. It is now a discontinued item per GM sites. The actual grille parts, upper. middle lower and left, right foglight grilles are NON painted ,not primed.
The OP stated his was in primer gray. Since his is a lower grille part I would guess it's aftermarket since it's primed.
Your quote : "The new ones come primed and ready for paint but you don't have to paint it." Do you really think someone is going to mount a gray middle grille amongst those other 3 black ones ? If I did that back in my body shop/repair days, I bet I would get fired.
firemangeorge is online now  
Old 06-01-2022, 09:57 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
greg8453's Avatar
 
Join Date: 03-29-2022
Location: Davison MI
Posts: 1,022
Originally Posted by firemangeorge
Your quote : "The new ones come primed and ready for paint but you don't have to paint it." Do you really think someone is going to mount a gray middle grille amongst those other 3 black ones ? If I did that back in my body shop/repair days, I bet I would get fired.
If he were taking it to a shop we wouldn't be having this conversation. I would paint it but I've seen many a vehicle with grills, fenders, hoods etc that were primer or wrong color. That's not me or you, I guess,
greg8453 is offline  


Quick Reply: Front Lower Grille Paint Match



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:23 PM.