850 grille re-finished

[Rob S]

As some of you my have seen, my old girl needs a bit of "refreshing" and continuing my budget theme of improvements, I thought I'd do the grille by repainting it, rather than replacing it.

The car started off with a fairly unremarkable faded chrome effect grille like this...
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a102/robstaples/eBayfos.jpg

Masked up

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a102/robstaples/Picture038-1.jpg

Etch primed

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a102/robstaples/Picture039-1.jpg

After three coats of satin black

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a102/robstaples/Picture040-1.jpg

I think it's better, and I've enough materials left to do the rails next, after I've washed it perhaps!

[t5 pete]

Looks good but can i ask one question as to why you didnt remove the grille to spray, it would have been alot easier

[Rob S]

Fair question.
It's a Sunday, and I reasoned when I break the clips (Not if, I am a cack handed bugger and the clips are fourteen plus years old) I'll be stuck for getting the grille back in. I did nt fancy running an un-protected radiator set up. Plus the outer rim would need masking, so it was just as easy to do it situ

[PaulZX]

I did mine a few weeks back... satin black, like yours...

Fresher looking... I love it....

http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=90&pictureid=821

[Johnny5]

Hmmmmmmmm Food for thought that is gents, might be my next move ;) I have some UPOL (high build) satin grey primer in the garage, and some satin black top coat too....... ;)

[AndysR]

Looks smart but I would have probably remove the grille at the risk of breaking the clips but having said that it looks like a good job regardless :)

[PaulZX]

if you're semi-careful, you'l be ok with the clips... use a flat head screwdriver to push the clip in an even controlled fashion...

[Hallsy]

Loos good Rob, I do think the black grille looks a lot better, bit more understated than the chrome.

Rails?

Slightly off topic, what colour is your car? Is it blue, or the blue/green sort of teal colour?

[Tomcat]

Looks good, I did the same on mine a while back, except I removed mine and also removed the slash as well.

[Rob S]

Thanks guys.
The colour is Nautic green, but in some lights it looks blue. (And currently very very dirty!)

[Big Pete]

As some of you my have seen, my old girl needs a bit of "refreshing" and continuing my budget theme of improvements, I thought I'd do the grille by repainting it, rather than replacing it.

The car started off with a fairly unremarkable faded chrome effect grille like this...
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a102/robstaples/eBayfos.jpg

Masked up

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a102/robstaples/Picture038-1.jpg

Etch primed

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a102/robstaples/Picture039-1.jpg

After three coats of satin black

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a102/robstaples/Picture040-1.jpg

I think it's better, and I've enough materials left to do the rails next, after I've washed it perhaps!

I wanted to do this on my red 850R but have heard loads of people say it just ends up flicking off the chrome after a while, any tips or special paint used???

[jonno12]

hello mate use plastic primer after wak a couple of coats of stone chip smooth on it then a gloss black they look the nuts and if ya want a good finish leave it over night and laquer it in the morning if ya want more info on paints my msn is jonno12.12@hotmail.co.uk

[Rob S]

I used etch primer after rubbing the grille back, three coats of that then three coats of satin black. Nothing flash or branded, just Halfords stuff.
It's not been on long, so fingers crossed it'll adhere ok.

[jonno12]

should be ok rob