Exterior Semi-Tech General discussion of exterior for the Ford Ranger.

Black Billet Grille Or Not?

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Old 04-13-2008
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Black Billet Grille Or Not?

I was wanting a black billet grille for my truck. But I am torn in between staying with what I got or going black.

These are the best pictures I have right now of how my truck looks. I am already planning on buying black headlights and signals.

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Old 04-13-2008
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Dude, save yourself the money, do the paint yourself on the headlight, I'd say maybe wet sand the grilles finish down, paint it flat black and clear coat it (that's what I just did to my grille and it's holding up really well!) and buy some blacked out corners, maybe some blacked out o6 corners, or paint them too... You could do this whole operation you want for seriously like $20 and a few hours of your time man!
 
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Old 04-13-2008
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I've already messed up a set of headlights I bought off someone for cheap so I dont want to do that again.
 
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Old 04-13-2008
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Cory did his on here and they turned out really good!

The grille thing would be easy man...

wet sand, then some rubbing alcohol to remove anything on the surface. adhesion promoter (at least 2 coats), some flat black paint (at least 3 coats), then some gloss clear coat (a good 2 coats)... Leaving about 30 mins or so in between each layer, I promise it'll turn out awesome!

As for the corners, they're the same process as that only with plastic... same with the headlight, cept you need to mask off the areas you don't want black and take your time... the headlight mod isn't hard, just time consuming, you REALLY have to take your time.
 
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Old 04-13-2008
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I'd paint the grille yourself, save some cash. I think the black headlights and grille would look sick. I'm gonna do the headlight mod this summer on mine and get some 06 corners and do the same thing. It's gonna be awesome!
 
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Old 04-13-2008
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I'm actually tempted to do a how to mod on the clear corners for 01-05 clear corners, with some night shade on the bumpy (from the back side of the lens) masked off.... so clear corner with nightshaded square area.... I think it might looks sweet!
 
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Sounds good, do you have pics of it?
 
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Old 04-13-2008
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What would be the best paint for the grille?
 
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Old 04-13-2008
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I would have to say go with the flat black paint for metal... Go with some dupont or krylon... ADHESION PROMOTER and CLEAR COAT are the keys in this process though man...
 
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Old 04-13-2008
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I use the Krylon paint quite a bit and have to say its a good paint. Goes on smooth!
 
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Old 04-14-2008
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Not to hijack but but does anyone know where they're selling the black billets anymore, I cant find them anywhere, unless I just ain't looking in the right places.
 
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Old 04-14-2008
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Paint the grille black. When you do, the tranny cooler-looking thing is going to stick out a bit, you may want to throw a light coat of black paint on that too.

It should look really good with the blacked out headlights and corners.
 
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Old 04-14-2008
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If you want a completely blacked out truck, then go for black. It sounds like you want to go all black since you're getting black headlights and corners. I like the brushed grill with the normal headlights and corners personally.

For the paint, if you want it in a spray can, use dulpli color. Wet sand the grill with 600 grit, then prime. Wet sand the primer with 600 again and spray your black. Then use their clear and put a couple coats of clear on. If you want it shiny, then when the clear is dry, wet sand with 1500 or 2000 grit and then use some polishing compound to bring it to a shine.
 
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Old 04-14-2008
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Thanks guys! I dont know what I am going to do yet.
 
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Old 04-14-2008
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Black it out! I want a black billet grill for my truck!
 
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Old 04-14-2008
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I think I may give painting it a chance. Would it be bad to spray a light coat of black spray paint on the tranny cooler?
 
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Old 04-14-2008
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If you decide to buy black, I'm interested in the grill and corners as they are!
 
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Old 04-14-2008
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I will let you know.
 
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Old 04-14-2008
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Originally Posted by Roach2004
I think I may give painting it a chance. Would it be bad to spray a light coat of black spray paint on the tranny cooler?
Nope it won't hurt a thing.
 
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Old 04-14-2008
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i want that grill!!
 
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Old 04-14-2008
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Yeah dude go black, you'll love it. And I agree just paint the grille you have, I painted mine and its holding up nice so far. I used etching primer, flat black, and clear.....all duplicolor brand.
 
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Old 04-14-2008
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Cool thanks man I think I am going to do it. I am trying to fix some visual things with my truck.
 
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Old 04-15-2008
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Hey if you don't like it, sand it right back down to the aluminum again.
 
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Old 04-15-2008
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Originally Posted by Farwar
Hey if you don't like it, sand it right back down to the aluminum again.
Yea! I didn't think of that
 
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Old 04-15-2008
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Acetone will take it off too
 
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