So, I'm planning to colour match the cross bar, but I was quoted $200 CDN for paint + labour. Seems a little steep, but how much did you guys pay to get yours painted?

Thanks in advance.

 

That does seem a bit high... plus that shit will chip (easily) unless you try and clear coat it. But the main problem is that it's not a surface that's meant to be painted, so my guy had to sand it down with some rougher sand paper to make the primer 'bite'... so if you do it, make sure this guy knows what he's doing.

 

Mine was $250. That included removing the grille, sanding and preping it, color matching, clear coat, reinstalling the grille and a bottle of touch-up that should last the life of the car. A good shop will wash, wax, and detail the car after they are done. Mine did.

 

200 can is only like 160 bucks US. Sounds like a decent price but I mean it all depends how good a job they do. There is a lot of labor involved if they are going to actually pull that piece out and paint. If they are just gonna go the cheap and easy route and mask around it and spray you might be overpaying. I paid somehwere in the figure of 250 for my grill (hard to say exactly I had other stuff done) but they took everything apart and rough sanded it and clear coated it and did everything possible to make sure the paint will last and look clean. And boy did my grill come out clean I am extremely happy with the job the painter did. Also I got a wash and wax like RC51 hehe.

 

I had a professional shop do mine and it was only $100. Granted I had already removed the whole thing so they didnt have to do any of that. I've had it on throughout the winter and there only 2 or 3 very little chips in it. But I got some touch up paint too so I should be alright.

 

Did any of you guys decide to clearcoat yours?

 

Did your shop use primer or adhesion promoter? When you get rock chips, does the primer come off with the black paint showing the original grill? Or does the just black paint chip off?

 

care to share any pictures someone?

 

There is a ton of pics on AZ of painted grills. Search around.

The grille parts actually accept paint pretty well. Just takes good prepping and materials. I highly recommend a durable 2 component clear, clear/hardener-activator. The emblem is the tougher part to paint.

You have to expect chips over time, depending on driving conditions. If it completely chips, usually its down to the plastic.

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-photograph-gallery-96/nice-70-deg-weather-%3D-am-3g-pics-708090/

Paint matched AM, Gloss black front and rear emblems.