Rock auto grill replacement - review

[fullboogie]

I'm slowly getting rid of all the chrome on my '08 SR5. For whatever reason, I've had a hell of a time painting the grill. I've done everything right - scuffing the "chrome" coating, using adhesion promoter, clean painting environment - but my results have been miserable. I've used plastic paint, engine paint, bedliner in a can, nothing has worked. I've never had so much trouble painting anything in my life. At my wits end, I decided to fork over the cash for a black (raw) plastic Limited grill so I can start from scratch.

I paid somewhere around $90 from Rock Auto. It is one hell of a nice piece, and looks to be the same quality and exact same build as the stock one. It has the rubber strip along the top, and all the studs mounted on the back. It's not a cost effective means to change the grill color, but if you get tired of dealing the the fake chrome surface and want to lay paint down on a raw plastic surface, this is your ticket. And yes, I tried the plastidip stuff - terrible.

Sorry for the crappy cell phone pic, but this is what it looks like:

 

[eviele]

Is there a reason you didn't get a pre-painted grill?
I think I saw one on ToyotaPartsZone for $118.

 

[fullboogie]

Is there a reason you didn't get a pre-painted grill?
I think I saw one on ToyotaPartsZone for $118.

I want to match it to the tailgate trim I painted, which did come out nice. And I'm going with black on the grill/tailgate, not body color. It looks good on my dark grey truck.

 

[gaterose]

I use these grilles for my satoshi grilles. They seem to be pretty high quality but are a little different than the OEM grilles. For instance the center bar that is normally chrome or color-matched is removable on the OEM grille but not the rock auto one.

I do like that the weatherstrip is detached because that makes painting easier. It can be a PITA to reinstall it properly.

 

[fullboogie]

You know, I didn't notice the center bar issue. No big deal for me, as I plan to paint the whole thing anyway. But something to consider for someone else needing a grill. In any case, I'm happy with my purchase.

 

[eviele]

I want to match it to the tailgate trim I painted, which did come out nice. And I'm going with black on the grill/tailgate, not body color. It looks good on my dark grey truck.

Any chance you can post pictures along the way?
I've got a dark grey Sport Edition and I love everything about it except the smoked chrome grill...
Would love to see what you're up to.

 

[fullboogie]

Any chance you can post pictures along the way?
I've got a dark grey Sport Edition and I love everything about it except the smoked chrome grill...
Would love to see what you're up to.

Sure thing! I've got the back painted satin black, and it looks real good. I did the rear wiper assembly too. I should have the grill done and installed this weekend, so I'll post pics. Even with the crappy job that's on the current chrome grill, it really looks good when you step back from it. Totally changes the look of the vehicle.

By the way, I'm using VHT epoxy paint in satin black. It's the only thing I've found that really sticks to the plastic and is very durable. That's been my problem with all the other types of paint - even after two weeks of curing out in the sun, the slightest abrasion (or bug strike) marks the paint, or pulls it up in that spot.

 

[eviele]

Sure thing! I've got the back painted satin black, and it looks real good. I did the rear wiper assembly too. I should have the grill done and installed this weekend, so I'll post pics. Even with the crappy job that's on the current chrome grill, it really looks good when you step back from it. Totally changes the look of the vehicle.

By the way, I'm using VHT epoxy paint in satin black. It's the only thing I've found that really sticks to the plastic and is very durable. That's been my problem with all the other types of paint - even after two weeks of curing out in the sun, the slightest abrasion (or bug strike) marks the paint, or pulls it up in that spot.

Cool.
Looking forward to the pictures. :juggle:

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Any chance you can post pictures along the way?
I've got a dark grey Sport Edition and I love everything about it except the smoked chrome grill...
Would love to see what you're up to.

Want to trade for a chrome grill?

 

[eviele]

Want to trade for a chrome grill?

Thanks, but for me, the less chrome the better.
Now if you only had a limited grill....

 

[beliy25]

where do you guys shop for grills anyway?i am looking to install old looking toyota grill with mesh or we it is with toyota letters in center?is it sold for an 06 sport v8 or is it all custom made?i have seen couple here but dont remember who was it.

 

[dgwood12]

[MENTION=50591]gaterose[/MENTION] when doing the satoshi with this grill, is the spot where the center bar connects solid or is there a gap that needs to be filled with fiberglass and filler like the stock grill? I've already done the satoshi with the fiberglass and filler method but was curious if in the future I had to make another if this would save the time of doing that.

 

[beliy25]

thank you!!

 

[gaterose]

[MENTION=50591]gaterose[/MENTION] when doing the satoshi with this grill, is the spot where the center bar connects solid or is there a gap that needs to be filled with fiberglass and filler like the stock grill? I've already done the satoshi with the fiberglass and filler method but was curious if in the future I had to make another if this would save the time of doing that.

Nope, it's the same

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Thanks, but for me, the less chrome the better.
Now if you only had a limited grill....

Figured if you were going to paint anyway I would ask. I want a smoked sport grille SO bad

 

[AZ4runner08]

Is there a reason you didn't get a pre-painted grill?
I think I saw one on ToyotaPartsZone for $118.

I am interested in getting rid of the chrome grill on my 08 Sport Edition. Can you tell me a bit more about these pre-painted grills? Can I get one that is painted black? I hate the chrome and thought about plastic dipping it, but not sure if it will come out like I want it to. I looked on the this website and there are multiple ones in black. Would this be the correct one for my 08 Sport? I have the dark grey paint, so not sure how this would look. Wish I could see a picture of it...

Grille, Radiator

APPEARANCE PACKAGE SPORT,BLACK,056 ,1D4 ,1E9 ,1F4 ,202 ,3Q3

Production Date: 2007.11-2009.01

Replaced by: 53100-35A53-C0
GRN21#, UZN21#

 

[cgv69]

fullboogie - Thanks for the info. I've been wanting to do a color matched santoshi grill and have been looking for an inexpensive donor grill

Is there a reason you didn't get a pre-painted grill?
I think I saw one on ToyotaPartsZone for $118.

Where are you seeing them for $118? I looked and the one I'd need for an 06 nautical blue runner (53100-35860-J0) looks to be $170?

 

[eviele]

I am interested in getting rid of the chrome grill on my 08 Sport Edition. Can you tell me a bit more about these pre-painted grills? Can I get one that is painted black? I hate the chrome and thought about plastic dipping it, but not sure if it will come out like I want it to. I looked on the this website and there are multiple ones in black. Would this be the correct one for my 08 Sport? I have the dark grey paint, so not sure how this would look. Wish I could see a picture of it...

Grille, Radiator

APPEARANCE PACKAGE SPORT,BLACK,056 ,1D4 ,1E9 ,1F4 ,202 ,3Q3

Production Date: 2007.11-2009.01

Replaced by: 53100-35A53-C0
GRN21#, UZN21#

Actually, I can't tell you anything about these. I was just searching one night to replace my own and clearly, after looking again, I was way off on price.
Sorry if steered you wrong.

 

[eviele]

fullboogie - Thanks for the info. I've been wanting to do a color matched santoshi grill and have been looking for an inexpensive donor grill


Where are you seeing them for $118? I looked and the one I'd need for an 06 nautical blue runner (53100-35860-J0) looks to be $170?

You're right, faulty memory on my part, I quoted the price for the lower valence.

:fish:

 

[n210wagon]

Ive painted two chrome grilles with no trouble whatsoever as well as the chrome headlight surrounds. on my 06 4runner

Remove the grill and clean it with dish soap.

Scuff it up well with a scotch brite pad.

Wash it again with dish soap and dry it well.

Wipe it down with denatured alcohol and a clean lint free paper towel.

Wipe it down a second time with more alcohol and another clean paper towel.

Let it dry completly and spray it

DupliColor trim paint. I despise just about everything duplicolor makes but the satin black trim paint is nice. Its very easy to spray and dries quickly