Repainting chrome grille surround pieces

[TophandRam]

I decided to take my grille apart again and repair and repaint the chrome grille trim. I did this in early 2020 but noticed I had some edges flaking and bugs and dings..
Takes about 20 minutes to take apart with 10mm socket and a trim removal tool.
So I used airplane stripper on most of the parts will 320 sand, etch primer, add gray primer, mix up some flame red spray it then clear..I will use single stage paint but add a few coats if some clear for extra UV protection. I didn't clear them last time.

 

[TophandRam]

Parts are etch primed mixed up some 2k urethane gray primer to spray parts..

 

[TophandRam]

1st coat of primer down.
Just let first coat of red flash

 

[TophandRam]

Three coats down one more to go

 

[TophandRam]

Four coats of single stage Flame red..
I will let it cure for a few hours then move it into the shop for overnight full cure the reassemble it tomorrow

 

[TophandRam]

I have about 3 to 4 hours total in this process and didn't cost me anything I already had the paint left over from the topper paint job. And primer I keep that in a gallon with the harder for other projects.
Just not a fan of Plastic chrome and my truck doesn't have any of any more..

 

[TophandRam]

Time to reassemble this morning got the center pieces in now onto the grille install.
The side u brows are press fitted in the letters have press fit tabs very thin and push on press type washers . Use patience when bending the letter locking tabs they will break..

 

[TophandRam]

Parts layed out for the reassembly..got some trash on a few parts but I will the paint cure for a few weeks and possibly wet sand it out ..
No biggie though since the bumper covers allot of the front.

 

[TophandRam]

A few more pieces to go..

 

[TophandRam]

Back together and installed, took about 30 minutes from painted part assembly to grille assembly and installation.
I think the painted sections on top make the hood body lines stand out better.
Gives a sporty deluxe look on a base model truck..
Now she needs a bath.

 

[The1adman]

Back together and installed, took about 30 minutes from painted part assembly to grille assembly and installation.
I think the painted sections on top make the hood body lines stand out better.
Gives a sporty deluxe look on a base model truck..
Now she needs a bath.

Looks great, I have been thinking about doing the same but getting primed trim pieces. I think with your bumper you wont have issue with rock chips.

 

[TophandRam]

Looks great, I have been thinking about doing the same but getting primed trim pieces. I think with your bumper you wont have issue with rock chips.

Thanks,
I thought about buying all bare black plastic trim like on the base Tradesman.
But when you price it out the parts can get expensive.
So I decided to just remove and paint mine since it's different and Ram doesn't paint the grilles trim like this they paint the whole grille but the letters are chrome or black.

 

[BAT3500]

Back together and installed, took about 30 minutes from painted part assembly to grille assembly and installation.
I think the painted sections on top make the hood body lines stand out better.
Gives a sporty deluxe look on a base model truck..
Now she needs a bath.

Nice job! That looks good.

 

[Shadowboxin20]

Yea I have to do this. I want the whole grill and letters the same gunmetal as the truck. Gonna do this, the mirrors, and other emblems all the same color as the truck

Pain in the ass but it was the only way

 

[TophandRam]

For the emblems including the hood ones that are pressure fitted in place , I would buy all new ones in black.
These would be easier to paint off the vehicle and easier to prep for paint than Plastic chrome.
The hood ones can be removed but when I tried that the thin gasket comes off easy and will not seal when you pop them back in..water got inside he side hood pockets..
So I purchased Mopar black factory badges.