Paint this panel?

[WellingtonB]

Located just under each headlight and looks like it's independent of any other body part. Anyone painted it by taking it off of the Runner? Is it a pain and do I need to remove the headlights as well? I am wishing it just pops off.

 

[WellingtonB]

I'm about to color in the chips with a Sharpie. Somebody stop me.

Nobody has removed this small body panel underneath the headlight?

 

[hearno]

many have... that's probably why no one is responding. if you search BHLM or black headlight mod, you'll find many threads on how to remove headlights and those filler panels. Mine were more pitted than missing paint like yours are. I just used a touch up kit.

 

[AdventureRunner06]

open the hood and there's a bolt that holds it on the inside once you've removed the bolt that plastic filler piece just pulls right off

 

[WellingtonB]

Finally got around to taking care of this. Thanks for the tip AdventureRunner06



In case anyone else needs just these panels off to sand and paint. Here's my quick write up:



Tools: Plastic fiber stick (so you don't scratch the good paint), 10mm socket (or just a Philips screwdriver), sandpaper or grinder, paint.



Before:

Filler piece between the hood and top of bumper. Unclip by pressing on the tab with a plastic fiber stick and pull up simultaneously.

Remove 10mm screw.

Push tab in to release the panel. Careful to not bend.

Naked.

Removed.

Sanded (I just hit it with a grinder).

Painted. First started with flat black spray paint, didn't like it, ended with PlastiDip.

To install, simply reverse the process.



Done.

Don't have a before picture, but I also sanded/painted the silver portion of the front bumper as well. Had lots of nickel to quarter size chips.

 

[dgwood12]

Good job man. If you are OCD at all and get tired of those panels not matching the rest of the paint I would suggest purchasing a rattle can at http://www.automotivetouchup.com/. I color matched my Satoshi grill with the stuff and its a perfect match for the galactic grey mica like you have. You'd prob use less than a quarter can so you would have some left over for use in the future if you ever needed it. I was really happy with their product so I figured i'd spread the word!

 

[zonianbrat]

I also did the silver parts below the bumper on the front and the middle of the back bumper. of my 4 runner so that it was almost all white and black instead of white, black and silver. Havent gotten around to the embloms yet. I'm getting lazy....

 

[WellingtonB]

I would suggest purchasing a rattle can at http://www.automotivetouchup.com/. !

Where we're you yesterday?

I should have looked into a matching paint actually. At the moment, it's such a tiny sliver of a panel and sort of hidden under the lights so it looks ok.