WaxWeaver Posted May 30, 2017 Share Posted May 30, 2017 Parts/Supplies Needed with some links to the parts on amazon: - Grille (I bought a new one off Ebay) - Emblem (Bought new one off Ebay) - Primer Adhesion Promoter (https://www.amazon.com/Dupli-Color-CP199-Adhesion-Promoter-Primer/dp/B0007UAXJQ) - Gray Primer for plastics (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003CT4AM0/ref=asc_df_B003CT4AM05006601/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B003CT4AM0&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167144081759&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17045767677994460810&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033279&hvtargid=pla-307459731558) - Paint - I used a matte black trim paint from SEM. I really like this paint. It looks really good after it is done. (https://www.amazon.com/SEM-39143-Trim-Black-Aerosol/dp/B000EM019O/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1496110349&sr=1-1&keywords=sem+trim+black) - Clear Coat - Used a flat clear coat. (https://www.amazon.com/Krylon-K05352902-Acrylic-Interior-Exterior/dp/B001C42OXY) - Scotch Brite - 600 Grit Sandpaper and 1000 grit or a higher grit of your choosing Here is a step by step on how to paint your Subaru Legacy Grille. 1) Remove grille from your car. No pictures for this, should be pretty self explanatory 2) Prepping Grille - Now I bought a new grille for this project and I am keeping my old one to try to make honey comb grille out of a crown vic. If you are using your original grille then you will want to clean it thoroughly with some dish washing soap and rinse it off and dry it. Then mask off the emblem or you can take it off completely by using a heat gun or hair dryer to pry it off. You will then need to put some new double sided sticky tape later after you're done painting. 3) Sand grille with scotch brite - After it is dry, I used regular scotch brite and roughed up the chrome areas. See pics 4) Apply primer adhesion promoter - I applied about 3 coats of the primer adhesion promoter to the whole grille. Follow the directions on the can 5) Apply primer - I applied 3 coats of the primer then wet sanded with 600 grit sandpaper. 6) Apply paint coat - Remember to apply light - medium coats. I applied about 5-6 coats of the black paint. I then wet sanded before the final coat with 1000 grit sandpaper. Remember to lightly sand the grille. 7) Apply clear coat - I applied the clear coat within 30 minutes of the last coat of the black paint. I hear it is best to do this from other sources on the internet to promote a stronger bond between the color coat and clear coat. I applied about 5 coats of the clear. 8) Let it dry - I allowed the grille to dry for 2 days then applied the emblem. You are then done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RckyMtnGT Posted May 30, 2017 Share Posted May 30, 2017 That looks really good! Nice write up. Timely, too, as mine is definitely showing all 130k miles, she needs some freshening up. How much was the new grille? I wonder, would a black primer help with the inevitable rock chips it will take? As it flakes off, will you end up seeing the gray underneath, or will the layers be enough to prevent seeing the lighter color? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fewxdavid Posted May 30, 2017 Share Posted May 30, 2017 My grill was all busted up, i just cleaned it and plastidipped it. I'll post pictures when i can Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaxWeaver Posted May 30, 2017 Author Share Posted May 30, 2017 RockyMtn - The new grille is 86 bucks on ebay. Yeah black primer might be better for the rock chips. I think you will end up seeing the chrome base. I was thinking of stripping the chrome but I didn't want to mess up the plastic at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacemanspif Posted May 31, 2017 Share Posted May 31, 2017 Looks good. I need to do this to Mrs. Spif's GT. I hate how much the chrome grill has held on in the auto world. They look so dumb when its the only piece of chrome on the whole car. I guess it has to be chrome and ugly tho so that people want to buy the sport model with super cool black-out package or body color match Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaxWeaver Posted June 2, 2017 Author Share Posted June 2, 2017 yeah chrome stuff is cheesy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianEarlSpilner Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 The chrome isn't easy to remove either. It's actually metal and will break and tear into small, sharp pieces when you try to remove it. It's a tedious process for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grovlet Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 RockAuto.com has cheaper stock grilles ($65): RockAuto Grille One could also opt for the C-Mod Grille for $140: C-Mod Grille Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaxWeaver Posted June 2, 2017 Author Share Posted June 2, 2017 oh crap i should of went to rock auto. With shipping its 73. oh well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jah77clash Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 I went for clear plastidip over the chrome. It looks brushed nickel now, kind of like Acura bits. Last post on this thread for pics http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/official-deep-bronze-metallic-thread-106206p40.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaxWeaver Posted June 7, 2017 Author Share Posted June 7, 2017 oh that's nice. I have some clear plasti dip too. Maybe i will use it on some things that are chrome, like my license plate cover or the badges on the trunk. I was debating to paint the badges with black plasti dip but I kinda like the nickel chrome like yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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