Best way to paint chrome grille?

[Xariez]

Hey,

So much like the title says, I've got a chrome grille on my V50 -04 and I'm seriously thinking about spraying it black (or applying some kind of tint to at least make it appear non-chrome).

However, chrome being chrome, I'm very unsure how to go about this. Do I use sandpaper (which grit, if so?), then just spray it with compatible paint? Do I order some kind of wrap/tint to just put over it? Taking it to a shop is pretty out of my bounds right now since I've understood it can get costly very quickly, but if that is the only way to get it half-way decent, I won't ignore those comments either.

Thanks in advance!

[XCR]

As Don Logan would say "Preparation, preparation, preparation...."

Clean your grille in hot soapy water, rinse and dry well. Pry off the little fixings and remove the slash and badge.
Now its time to abrade the surface, a fine wire wool is good and will allow you to rub down (key) all the nooks and crannies...take your time with this stage or your paint will flake with changes in temperature. Brush out any dust then use a tack rag to get the surface really clean and free from any stray particles.
Take a wire coat hanger and make it into a long hanging hook, hanging the grille from the back then go find an appropriate tree, cherry is my favourite as the branches are quite low.....or a nail in a joist of your garage roof.
Either way, a still warm day is best. Consider emigration....
Lots of fine light coats of a good quality grey primer then, when fully dry, give it a gentle rub with the wire wool again.....hang it back up and hit it with the matt/satin black. Lots of light coats and allow to dry fully.
Replace slash and badge....optional depending on the level of 'gangsta' you are attempting to project....
Good luck !

[domhart10]

Yes I have tried both painting / spraying and wrapping my grille.

For painting, you need to make sure you prep and clean you grill. I then sprayed about 3 layers on it. After a while these then cracked and showed chome chips.

I also tried vynl wrapping and this works well and last longer than the paint does. gave a better finish in my opinion as well. After about half a year I eventually got a chip. With vynle you can restore your grille back to original or replace with new wrap.

[Paul Wildsmith]

plastidip looks like the way to go, plenty of "how to" videos on youtube ...

[FlabbyPanda]

I just plastidip'd my grill and was happy with how it came out. I went with plastidip over paint due to the chrome, not having to sand etc and being able to remove it if it went wrong.

I might clear coat it yet. Planning on doing the fog light covers now to match.