GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005) Discussion about the second generation GS300, GS400 and GS430 (1998 - 2005)

DIY Chrome Grille GONE BAD…

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Old 03-14-08, 04:04 PM
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BlackoutGS
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Default DIY Chrome Grille GONE BAD…

Poor me,
I tried to pull off the DIY chrome grille trick, but must have left the paint stripper on there too long. The can says 15 mins and I waited 15 mins. As you can see in the pictures below, in some areas the chrome plating came off with the black coat, and in other areas the chrome plating shriveled up like crumpled aluminum foil. The grill looks like S*** from up close. Now I have to weigh my options between sanding it down to bare plastic and painting it gloss black and keeping the chrome L, or hitting up Luis and inquiring about a black chrome grille with black pearl emblems.
… Hell, might as well top it off with a black chrome trunk bar and door handles…


Old 03-14-08, 04:09 PM
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madehtsobi
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damn that sucks man!
Old 03-14-08, 04:10 PM
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handoverfi
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daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyuuuummmmmmmmmmm
Old 03-14-08, 04:12 PM
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SweetS160
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Dam that sucks. I was going to do this mod once it gets warmer out. I'm alittle iffy now on trying. Don't want it to get messed up too.
Old 03-14-08, 04:38 PM
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UncleRay
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No.....WAY!!!! I have a friend who has a 'spare' grill if you want!!! PM me and we'll work things out =]
Old 03-14-08, 04:50 PM
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AYEmike
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damn bro, your grille looks fossilized !

mine didnt turn out bad at all!, mine went fine and i let mine stay on for 30 mins using kleanstrip's stripper-x
Old 03-14-08, 04:57 PM
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VipDout
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Originally Posted by fuzionn
damn bro, your grille looks fossilized !
LOL
I cant see pics at work but It sounds bad ... It might be to late .. .sell it for what you can get for it and get the all black chrome stuff now
Old 03-14-08, 05:00 PM
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Saiji
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WOW..I left mine on for about 10 minutes and turned out fine. Sorry to hear, hopefully someone can sell you theirs.
Old 03-14-08, 05:03 PM
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GSteg
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Those who have the 98-00 grill, I do not recommend this mod. Apparantly the OEM paint seems to be different. All the 01+ grills have came out awesome while the 98-00 looks like crud, including mine.
Old 03-14-08, 05:03 PM
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1.5jzsupra
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I used air craft paint remover and left it on for like a minute and half, I had to do it a second time but it turned out good. If you do it again you should give it a try.
Old 03-14-08, 05:04 PM
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AYEmike
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chroming 98-00 grilles tend to take a longer time than the 01 and up, but somehow your's came off too quick !
Old 03-14-08, 05:04 PM
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AYEmike
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Originally Posted by GSteg
Those who have the 98-00 grill, I do not recommend this mod. Apparantly the OEM paint seems to be different. All the 01+ grills have came out awesome while the 98-00 looks like crud, including mine.

haha i remember when you had to use a knife to scrape it off
Old 03-14-08, 05:06 PM
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UncleRay
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Just curious here, but, what brand of paint thinner did you get?? Please post a pic. You might have bought the wrong brand =/
Old 03-14-08, 05:09 PM
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AYEmike
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any paint thinner/stripper would work, but different ones have their own time, when the product will start working.
Old 03-14-08, 05:19 PM
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BlackoutGS
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Originally Posted by GS400RcrX
No.....WAY!!!! I have a friend who has a 'spare' grill if you want!!! PM me and we'll work things out =]
I appreciate it man, but I am fine with this one for now. I don’t plan on showing the car off anytime soon. I’ll probably sand it down really well and paint it, then sell it in the classifieds in a few weeks (if anyone is interested I will start accepting PMs now, then you can choose the color).
The black chrome is calling me… haha

Originally Posted by GSteg
Those who have the 98-00 grill, I do not recommend this mod. Apparently the OEM paint seems to be different. All the 01+ grills have came out awesome while the 98-00 looks like crud, including mine.
I wish I knew this before today. Oh well


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