bed liner grill or new grill?

[tymoreland]

I own a 2000 SR5 2WD 4Runner and want a black grill desperately. Saw recently on instagram that someone blacked out their grill by applying bed liner to it and doing some more research, applying bed liner seems a bit complicated. I have limited experience 'fidling' with cars so i don't want to screw it up and be left with a jacked up looking grill. i guess what im wondering is if the bed liner is easy enough for an inexperienced car person to apply or if it just makes more sense to buy a new grill online? thanks!
-tymoreland

 

[MONTYMTB]

I own a 2000 SR5 2WD 4Runner and want a black grill desperately. Saw recently on instagram that someone blacked out their grill by applying bed liner to it and doing some more research, applying bed liner seems a bit complicated. I have limited experience 'fidling' with cars so i don't want to screw it up and be left with a jacked up looking grill. i guess what im wondering is if the bed liner is easy enough for an inexperienced car person to apply or if it just makes more sense to buy a new grill online? thanks!
-tymoreland

Just remove your current grill (easy, search here for instructions:http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/149799-alternate-search-toyota-4runner-3rd-gen-section.html) and hit it with a can of the spray-on stuff - Rust-Oleum, Duplicolor etc. - and snap it back in. Wouldn't be complicated.

 

[Unner]

If you want to start getting into working on your 4Runner you could always buy a new grille online and do the Satoshi on it. This way you could do it slowly at your own pace and not worry about it. This was one of the first things I did to my 4Runner. It was my first time making a grille too. I had fun doing it, I just wish my letters would come in so I could finish it for good...

 

[v3bahumut]

Remove grille (flat blade screwdriver and 60 seconds of time)
Remove Emblem (three phillips head screws on the back of the grille)
Scuff grille with 80 grit sand paper
Clean (I like Simple Green)
Dry
Spray with can of spray on bedliner
Dry
Spray again
Dry
Spray again
Re-install emblem
Re-install grille
Admire your work

 

[tymoreland]

this is exactly what I needed thanks! what brand/kind of bed liner did u use?

 

[Lunarphase]

The grille on my 99 showed signs of UV breakdown, spiderweb like cracks through the paint. I removed the grille, washed it well, removed the chevron, sanded with 150 then 220 then 600 grit sandpaper. I then rattle-can sprayed it with primer then black car trim paint and clearcoat. Multiple layers of each. I did the same with the hoodscoop and roof rack.
It was easy and turned out great. It had been driving me nuts for years.

 

[Millerad1651]

Whenever I do a Satoshi, I degrease it first. Then I sand lightly, just to get the gloss off. Then i prime using either a filler primer or sandable primer. I then use the Rustoleum enamel paint in flat black in 4 coats. After that dries, I do a clear coat in the finish I want, usually 3 coats.

Satin finish

 

[tymoreland]

Remove grille (flat blade screwdriver and 60 seconds of time)
Remove Emblem (three phillips head screws on the back of the grille)
Scuff grille with 80 grit sand paper
Clean (I like Simple Green)
Dry
Spray with can of spray on bedliner
Dry
Spray again
Dry
Spray again
Re-install emblem
Re-install grille
Admire your work

how long does this take

 

[Millerad1651]

how long does this take

An hour.

 

[Joelev]

An hour.

You can do it, dude. Promise. It's a great first project to get your hands dirty.

If you want to be careful, you can use Plasti-Dip instead of bedliner, and it'll wash off if you need to clean something up. (It will also eventually get dinged up, but it's up to you.)

 

[v3bahumut]

An hour.

And most of that is standing around waiting for paint to dry.

 

[v3bahumut]

this is exactly what I needed thanks! what brand/kind of bed liner did u use?

Whatever brand they sell at auto zone and wal-mart.

I use the crap out of it on this thing: