Anyone refinish their 107 grill?

[RickM]

It never really bothered me but as I detail the car I noticed how faded the grill slats are. They seem to be made of a Fiberglass variant or plastic. Has anyone refinished with good results? I may just hit it with a satin black trim paint.






*********************************************************
Part's I'm looking for:

- The L-shaped chrome trim piece that attaches to the driver's side front fender above the headlight.

- The chrome trim strip that attaches to the driver's side door where the glass meets the top of the door panel. (it's 36" long)

- The passenger side front bumper cover that is located between the passenger side bumper pad and license plate. Seems mine fell off of the rubber strip that it snaps on to.

- Possibly the electric antenna assembly.

[DanielG]

Have you tried any of those back to black trim products? I know they get mixed results, but if you are going to paint it anyway why not give it a try first?

[al76slc]

Originally Posted by RickM

It never really bothered me but as I detail the car I noticed how faded the grill slats are. They seem to be made of a Fiberglass variant or plastic. Has anyone refinished with good results? I may just hit it with a satin black trim paint.

I had good luck with flat black bumper paint. I suggest you use paint that is designed for a surface that flexes.

[450slcya]

Aerosol vinyl dye does an excellent job on the faded grille slats. I used a satin finish, in several light coats, and it won't peel like paint can.

[RickM]

I do have the back to black type products but this appears to be a finish that has worn off. I was thinking of the Krylon line of plastic paint or Wurth satin trim paint.

[RickM]

Originally Posted by 450slcya

Aerosol vinyl dye does an excellent job on the faded grille slats. I used a satin finish, in several light coats, and it won't peel like paint can.

Good idea. Where doe one get the vinyl dye you mention?

[RickM]

OK, I just ordered VHT Aerosol Vinyl dye in Satin Black from a local parts store. I'll report back with pics.

Thanks for the great feedback.

[Engr693]

Originally Posted by RickM

Part's I'm looking for:

- The L-shaped chrome trim piece that attaches to the driver's side front fender above the headlight.

- The chrome trim strip that attaches to the driver's side door where the glass meets the top of the door panel. (it's 36" long)

- Possibly the electric antenna assembly.

I think I have these three parts...are you still looking?

[RickM]

Gary: PM sent. Rick

[Ghostz28]

I did just that a few days ago. When I did mine, I stripped all paint off, then used a self etching primer, and finally coated it with 2 coats of 3M rubberized undercoating. The result looks GREAT in person.

[MC06A]

I repainted my grill slats and grill star last year. I used Krylon Fusion Satin Black. Turned out great. Here are some pictures:


Before(You can see where I used Forever Black):





After:






It really makes the chrome stand out.

[RickM]

Great pics. Thanks!

Did you gloss or satin?

[MC06A]

Satin. I think it looks better than having a glossy finish to it.

[tubbee]

Awesome! I am fairly new to this car and not really a DIY kind of guy but I am learning. May I if the black slats are held in by screws?

Also, what do you use to prep the surface for painting?

Cheers
tb

[ScottinSoCal]

Originally Posted by tubbee

May I ask if the black slats are held in by screws?

Lots of screws. Lots and lots of screws. But they're all fairly obvious and they come right out and go right back in.

You guys know that new slats are less than $100, right? I didn't have a choice about replacing or renewing because three of my slats were broken but I was very pleasantly surprised when I found out how expensive they weren't.