Painting Grille Center Moldings
 

Does anyone have experience painting the center moldings on a 85-87 dual headlight front end? How did you do it?

The center moldings that I got from USA1 have what appears to be white vinyl film over the area that gets painted. I would assume that this is just protection film and I would remove before painting?

I was planning on scuffing the area that gets painted with maroon scotch brite and then epoxy primer, base coat then clear.

Thanks

Re: Painting Grille Center Moldings
 

You want to paint the vinyl.
Or take the white vinyl off, and then the entire trim will be the shiny stainless steel. My picture is of a used trim, but the new trim will look really nice.
Or get the color you need in vinyl wrap and install on the trim.
I got my vinyl from Rvinyl.com when I did mine. The vinyl will withstand rock chips better than paint any day of the week.

Re: Painting Grille Center Moldings
 

JJH, if interested to see what the "chrome" strip looks like without paint you can look in my build thread.. I recently assembled my front end & decided that the "chrome" looks really nice...it helps to have a good quality pieces (thanks TKCR). I painted the bowtie the truck color for coordination (just my taste)... I agree with Tina.. you would be better off to use the vinyl.. it will last longer than paint, maybe "clear bra" if you desire...

good luck & post pics!!

Re: Painting Grille Center Moldings
 

Thanks TKCR! I knew you would have the info i was looking for.

I just looked through your build thread and your truck looks great. I thought about leaving them polished stainless but am on the fence. I have a friend that has a sign shop and he is going to get me the color chart for 3M vinyl and if he has somthing that matches well i will probably go that route. Thank you!

Re: Painting Grille Center Moldings
 

cool.. keep us informed on what you decide....:metal:

Re: Painting Grille Center Moldings
 

I had mine vinyl wrapped at a local sign shop. He did not have anything that would match my paint color but gave me a supplier and the color code. I had to buy a roll of the material for about $50 but it was worth it. Matches great and held up in the GA sunshine for 3 years now.

I also had him cut me some strips of vinyl for the big tailgate trim piece. It was for the recessed area around the edges. Funny enough it was the same size as the door handles. Put the extra to good use and like the way it looks.