lt197formula

iTrader: (6)

So I removed, cleaned and painted everything black aside from the Caddy logo and now time to reinstall...

Is there a trick or something I'm missing because it's looking like I'll need to almost pull the bumper to get the upper grill/trim back on (not including the hood piece obviously)

I tried bending and forcing it back in like I did to remove it but that would not work without scratching the newly painted trim...so just wondering before I get to work this weekend on it.

Thanks for the input

wcryan

iTrader: (2)

I never had to pull the bumper. Keep messing with it. You'll get it

06blackonblackctsv

iTrader: (1)

I didnt have that problem, but if you can post a couple pics maybe we can help you out a little more.

lt197formula

iTrader: (6)

Ok here is the section I'm talking about installing. The wire mesh has to be installed in the plastic but then to install the plastic requires putting the rivets in which are behind the wire mesh...

To removed it was easier since scratching it didn't matter and I just took all the rivets out and yanked it out...so any tips?

wcryan

iTrader: (2)

I'm a little confused. It should be exactly reverse of the way you took it out.

guitar333

Use some lube?

lt197formula

iTrader: (6)

It wasn't exactly reversed because otherwise that would've scratched the newly painted trim...however it just took a little thinking and I realized to trim the base of the rivets and install them in the opposite direction...

Here it is all done but the car is quite dirty

siggyfreud

iTrader: (1)

Looks good . I opted not to paint the chrome on mine which made re-installation quite a bit easier.

But either way I think it looks good. Enjoy! And wash your car!

wcryan

iTrader: (2)

Is that the rubber paint stuff?

johnny6

I'm also interested in what paint is used for grill's.

meatyCTS-V

I'd look into powder-coating it. Should be a bit more durable than paint, though it may cost a bit more.

I would imagine due to the chrome being a slick surface, you'd want to prime it with some of that self-etching primer, and then give it a nice coat of black.


Do you guys tend to go with flat black or a glossy black?

-meaty

siggyfreud

iTrader: (1)

I went with flat black.

06vLo

I had my grill powder coated and so far its holding up great. The only thing i suggest when u take it to have it done make sure you remove the crest colors because theyll melt out when the coating is baked on...lol i learned this the hard way because i faild to think about it being plastic.... but on the upside it only cost me 30 bucks to get it done.....I did simi gloss black. Ill post some pics of it later today...

wcryan

iTrader: (2)

yeah........ Mine is painted and it looks like ****. I'm gonna have it redone when I get my cam installed cause the grills will have to be taken out. So I might as well. I dont really get what u mean by taking the crest colors off. how do you do that?

06vLo

see that i dont know....I just know when i picked up my grill from my pc guy he was like well, i put it in the oven and walked away for 5 minutes and when i came back the inside part ot the crest was melting down the grill. He said i yanked it out and cleaned all of it off and put it back in. In other words the center part of my crest where the colors are...There are no more colors in the center of my crest and its just all chrome, but kinda looks like crap...lol I ordered a new blacked out crest from 8thday to replace it like a month ago and havnt recieved anything yet....

wcryan

iTrader: (2)

Wonder if there is a safe way to get that thing back off and on

siggyfreud

iTrader: (1)

It seems to be molded or glued on. Not really a "safe" way to get it off, but probably wouldn't be too hard to find a way to reattach.

lt197formula

iTrader: (6)

No I didn't use the Plasti-Dip rubber paint. I used Rustoleum Gloss Black for metal and then a Rustoleum Gloss Black for plastic. Cleaned everything, 5 base coats, a bit of wet sanding to smooth the coats out, then 2 more light coats of black followed by 3 coats of clear coat with the Rustoleum Wheel Paint.

Doesn't look too bad for 3 cans of spraypaint and some wet/dry sandpaper vs my quote of $200 to have it done professionally.

I already noticed a few chips on the very lower section after a week so I'll see how bad it gets and possibly it back off to get powdercoated and/or try that Plasti-Dip.

Tutows-6

I went with plasti-dip, turned out nice for $6.00

wcryan

iTrader: (2)

Any chipping or anything yet?