Satoshi grill

[foxtrot]

Hey everyone, I am trying to do the satoshi mod to my 4runner (06 sr5) and I keep running into a problem. I am trying to paint the grill to match because it would just look odd with a chrome grill. My 4runner is driftwood pearl, and since it is pearl, all of the paint companies are telling me they can't match it in a spray can, and I would have to have it done by a shop. That was fine with me but all the shops are refusing to paint it because it is chrome, even if I sand all the chrome off, so I'm kind of stuck. Does anyone know where to get a color matched grill for driftwood pearl? Or how I can paint it on my own without any special equipment? Thanks!

 

[gaterose]

Don't know how good the match is with the pearl but ATU has some Driftwood Pearl - Automotivetouchup.com Touch Up Paint, Aerosol Spray Paint and Touchup Paint Accessories | AutomotiveTouchup | 888-710-5192

I've bought their natural white and it matches GREAT much better than the duplicolor OEM match stuff. I've also read good reviews on a lot of other colors from them. It's expensive, like $20/can + shipping, but so far it looks great. I got the white and the clear from them.

 

[foxtrot]

Thanks! Do you use any of the plastic primer from them? And I assume high gloss clear? How many base coats do you generally use? Sorry for all the questions haha

 

[gaterose]

No problem, no I didn't use their primer. I sand & use etching primer. I've had good luck in the past with etching primer and chrome (on a truck tool box) so I trust it.

Yeah I got the high gloss clear, but they may have a different clear for your pearl?

No problem glad to help!

 

[gaterose]

And I do 3-4 light to medium coats of everything on everything I paint. I don't know what the standard is or anything that's just what I do.

 

[foxtrot]

Any specific brand of etching primer or just anything?

 

[jaybird93000]

if you find that the paint you're considering doesn't cut it, [MENTION=165]momo.75[/MENTION] treated his Chrome headlight trim with a thinner which removed all of the chrome, thereby in your case making it ready for any company to paint, and you just pull the "it's a completely different part" card. Good luck, love the satoshi mod!

 

[gaterose]

Any specific brand of etching primer or just anything?

Shouldn't matter, what Jay said may be helpful although I'm not sure you can get the chrome off... I know if you sand through a lot of the black it actually turns chrome so I'm not sure how strong that chrome coat is.

I believe momo said he used Easy-Off over cleaner for removing chrome.