I have seen some trucks on the boards that have a painted grille. I have a black truck and I don't like the look of a grey grille. So I want to paint it gloss black to match the truck. I took the whole thing off today at work, but couldn't figure out how to get the center out without breaking it. I am not... delicate, so I just threw it back on and decided that I will probably just tape off what I don't want to paint. How did you guys do it?

 

I'm not sure about the Gen5 grille's, i don't think you can take the honeycomb grill out though.

Mine's a 99 and a bit different but i documented pictures of my progress as i did mine...
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/627954/3

My grille turned out perfect. I just used a scuff pad, acetoned the powder off, clear coated it, and painted it white. I sat it ontop of two paint cans while i painted it.

I should have spent a little more time on my bumper though because now it's starting to rust in some areas. So if you plan on doing your bumper, put some time into it. I learned the hard way...

 

its pretty simple to do i did it to my 01 and it wasnt that hard the sanding takes the longest. The best thing to do is go to a local paint dealer and get a couple red scotch brite pads and sand all the honey comb stuff with it. but first u want to tape off all around the grill so doesnt get scratched and then take the ford emblem off there were two like i geuss slide washers on mine and all u have to do it take a ten milimeter deep well socket to it and it comes right off. Then painting it u dont want to be really close to the grill or u will get runs.

 

if you decide to go thru with it, make sure to post pics.. i thought about doing the same thing for the same reason.. my truck is black, and sometimes the grey plastic look just doesnt look right. anyway tho, if it looks like it turned out well, i might be doing this as well so, good luck!

 

na no need to sand get self etching primer i used it and all i did to prep was wipe it down with paint thinner sprayed a few coats of the primer and just some chrome duplicolor paint and mine was done check out my cardomain for pics

 

So all you guys with the gen 5s didn't take the center out, you just taped around it? That's all I need to know, or is there a trick or something to get the center out?

 

Do it

It will look better....

 

I'm gonna do it. I guess I'll just tape off the rest of it and paint the center. There are tabs that hold the center on but I couldn't figure out how to get them out without breaking them.

 

if ur goin to do it tape it really good mine turned out really good and when i get home i will take before and after pics. Yea i have an extra one from when i was a stop light and this guys tail gate fell on my front end and put a dent in the hood and broke a conor off the grill

 

I'd say you were tailgatin him but in actuality he tailgated you

Aaron