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#1 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Burbank CA
Posts: 3,055
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Painting grill letters ..the easy way!
Did a quick search on this, and to my surprise I found nothing. Maybe because it's too easy? Or everybody already knows?
In any case, after staring at a blah grill for the year or so since buying my '66 Custom Camper, I finally gave it the front-end detail it has so badly needed. The job was so fast and easy, and came out so well, I feel stupid for not having done it sooner. Now, normally I would not re-touch an authentically aged survivor part like this, but I'm thinking this grill was re-plated at some point by a previous owner, so no sacrilege there. I'll try to keep it simple so you can follow along. This will apply to a bright aluminum grill, but with a basic understanding of various paints and solvents, it should be nearly as easy for a painted grill. You will need: A piece of cardboard Spray paint of choice. - don't use junk. I used Duplicolor acrylic enamel, semi-gloss black An appropriate solvent for that paint. quicker drying is better. I used Acetone. An old T-shirt or other nap-less, lint-free rag. NOT terry cloth! A block of wood 1x3x6 ish. I used a paint stick and a rubber sanding block, but a plain wood block would be just as good, if not better. A pump or spray bottle Thats it. Ok, let's get started. First, clean the grill. Remove all wax, oil, and traces of old paint. Carb cleaner and a tooth brush works fast for removing paint. Next, cut a rough mask for a single letter out of any stiff paper or thin cardboard you find laying around. Tape will make the hole smaller if you cut the hole too big to start. Now spray the paint. I did mine one letter at a time for simplicity. Spray light even coats until the whole letter is covered. No runs or heavy pools. If you are struggling at this point, you might want to consider another hobby, or hire the job out. Ha ha, just kidding. Let the paint dry a bit. While the paint is drying, cut the T-shirt into several 1 foot long x 6 inch wide strips. Fold a strip in half (double layer) and tightly wrap it around the wood block, pinching and stretching the material from behind with your hand to maintain a wrinkle free face. This is by far the most critical aspect of this job, as loose material or wrinkles will ruin the result. If you can't hold even tension with your hand, then staple the darn rag on there (backside). In the picture I used a paint stick, but a block would be better. Next take a spray bottle with your chosen solvent and wet the face of the rag/block. Immediately get to wiping the excess paint surrounding the letters off the grill, leaving color in the recess. Again, I did one-at-a-time to maintain simplicity and control. When the rag gets loaded with paint, turn to a clean part and reapply. Clean rag and clean solvent = clean results. Last edited by oem4me; 12-24-2018 at 01:27 AM. |
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#2 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Burbank CA
Posts: 3,055
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Re: Painting grill letters ..the easy way!
Some may already be happy with the results as-is. I personally thought the letters still looked too fat or heavy, so I went in with a rag and my finger tip to fine-tune. If you can't control your shaking hand, have another drink or skip this step. I suppose one could experiment with more layers of material on your block, creating a spongy effect, which would "reach into" the recesses a little deeper, but you risk blowing the whole thing this way.
Now stand back and admire that professional looking detailed grill. What was that, like about a half-hour? Sheesh, too easy! Before and after Last edited by oem4me; 10-22-2016 at 12:30 PM. |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: A****er, CA
Posts: 5,594
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Re: Painting grill letters ..the easy way!
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C/10 Rene 1966 Short Fleet "The Hag" 1967 CST Short Fleet "Dark Poly" 1971 Short Fleet 1970 Jimmy Custom 2 WD "Golden Ticket" 1972 Blazer 2 WD "Retro Blaze" |
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#4 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: corktown,mi.
Posts: 5,194
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Re: Painting grill letters ..the easy way!
darn my grill is painted, what is a good solvent to remove the excess without lifting the main body paint?
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#5 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 10,384
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Re: Painting grill letters ..the easy way!
Thanks fer the right up! Really makes it a piece o cake!!!
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1966 Chevy C10 "Project Two Tone" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=596643 1964 GMC "Crustine" semi-build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=665056 My youtube channel. Username "Military Chevy": https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_h...fzpcUXyK_5-uiw |
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#6 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 72
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Re: Painting grill letters ..the easy way!
Quote:
If you can't use solvent (ie you have a body color painted grill) you can either build up a bunch of wax on the area's you don't want to paint (build many coats but don't buff it off). Do the paint method the same way, the overspray will stick to the wax, not the clearcoat, buff excess paint away. Vasoline works damn well too. I know that's an odd trick but it's a work around. Another method is go to Staples and get clear window cling. Apply over the area, draw the letter outlines with a sharpie ("trace them"). Remove cling, cut out, reapply, you have a stencil. (This with wax is a good combo too).
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64 C10 A bunch of Volvos Luthier Simpsons Nerd ![]() Last edited by hank scorpio; 07-30-2018 at 11:32 PM. |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Wilmot, NH
Posts: 443
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Re: Painting grill letters ..the easy way!
Great Write-up! I'll be trying this trick with my 69 grille when i get my new one. I have seen the difference in price between the painted letters and non painted letters be astronomical!
Good Looking truck, too!
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1969 ![]() 2015 GMC 2500 Duramax (Daily Driver) 1999 Jeep TJ 2010 Harley Street Glide Check Out My Build!: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=617981 |
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#8 |
1962 C-10
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico
Posts: 4,978
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Re: Painting grill letters ..the easy way!
Looks good!
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Joseph Chavez ![]() "See the USA in a Chevrolet!!" ......................_____ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(O)___//___/__(O)_/ 1962 C10 Shortbed Fleetside 327/th350 GV overdrive 1974 C10 Longbed Fleetside 350/th350 "The Trash Truck" 1999 Chevy 2500 OBS, Longbed 5.7/4L80E 4x4 2015 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 4x4 |
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#9 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Moline, IL
Posts: 157
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Re: Painting grill letters ..the easy way!
Excellent, that grill looks great.
I did this very technique on my sail panels, works great there too. |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: oceanside CA
Posts: 706
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Re: Painting grill letters ..the easy way!
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Bear, DE
Posts: 66
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Re: Painting grill letters ..the easy way!
Looks great and good write up, used this technique on my Nova's grill to give it a "billet" look.
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1965 SBFS BBW Soon to be Restomod Daily Driver 1972 Chevy Nova-Pro Touring |
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#12 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2010
Location: Clinton township, MI
Posts: 1,192
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Re: Painting grill letters ..the easy way!
Great Write-up, It turned out great. Now you need to post more pictures of your Truck.
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It only has original paint once |
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#13 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: San Jose NOR*CAL
Posts: 3,080
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Re: Painting grill letters ..the easy way!
Talk about great timming !! Just swaped grills last weekend and need to paint the letters Thanks !!!
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1960 Apache long bed fleet L6 250 Clifford intake 2 bbl carb. Langdon cast headers with dual exhaust and bellflower tips. T-5 5 speed, power steering and power disc brakes. "Over, Around or through it... " |
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#14 | |||||
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Burbank CA
Posts: 3,055
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Re: Painting grill letters ..the easy way!
Thanks for the positive feedback, fellas.
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Agreed. Stickers can peel and look tacky (pun). Ha! Quote:
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Last edited by oem4me; 09-10-2014 at 01:54 AM. |
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#15 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Joshua Tree Ca.
Posts: 719
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Re: Painting grill letters ..the easy way!
Great cure for colorless letters and other projects. Thanks for the post
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#16 |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: ON, Canada
Posts: 2,159
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Re: Painting grill letters ..the easy way!
So much better than stickers. Nice work.
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 1,034
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Re: Painting grill letters ..the easy way!
Dang that's slick!
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WANTED: * 60-66 Chevy and GMC FACTORY PHOTOGRAPHY (scans) of pickups and carryalls. Custom Camper Club-- Own a 65-66 Custom Camper? Join us at: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/g...hp?groupid=117 |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: santa ana ,ca
Posts: 30
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Re: Painting grill letters ..the easy way!
wow looks great!! thumbs up
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#19 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: corktown,mi.
Posts: 5,194
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Re: Painting grill letters ..the easy way!
thks for the reply oem4me.
i used rustoleum auto primer and auto paint on most on the smaller parts. i'll test a small area first. i think if i wipe asap after spraying will help with overspray, so it doesnt fully dry and cause the need for more elbow grease with mineral spirits and all. thks... Last edited by pimpston65; 09-10-2014 at 06:14 AM. |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: fayetteville nc
Posts: 10,338
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Re: Painting grill letters ..the easy way!
Great write up!!!!
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1963 Short bed step side SBW 427 big block and borg warner T-16 HD 3 speed manual http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=519869 1963 Short bed fleetside BBW 348 1st gen big block w/Powerglide http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=619024 1964 Short bed trailer |
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: southeasternfoothillsofusa
Posts: 1,557
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Nice job and write up, oem4me. And it looks great. And congrats on the ingenious thinking behind the process!
I especially loved those before-and-after pics; really shows the difference. Another method: I've been using Majik Markers, regular and esp. fine points for this job. The fine points do well on cab sails too, where the lines are so small and narrow. Drawback on my method: needs re-doing about every couple of years;( Sam Last edited by luvbowties; 09-10-2014 at 02:16 PM. Reason: more info |
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#22 |
Senior Enthusiast
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Spokane Valley, WA
Posts: 8,356
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Re: Painting grill letters ..the easy way!
Thanks for taking the time to share this write up. Great tip!
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My Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444502 |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 553
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Re: Painting grill letters ..the easy way!
Nice job. Easy too.
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Missouri City, Tx
Posts: 321
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Re: Painting grill letters ..the easy way!
Thanks for the info Bruh!!
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1965 Short Fleet http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=637478 1983 Short Fleet (Under construction for my 13 year old son) 2008 GMC Denali 2012 Harley Roadglide Follow me on Instagram: Ru_django ![]() |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Donaldsonville, La.
Posts: 1,024
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Re: Painting grill letters ..the easy way!
I love easy, thanks LOL
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