Color matched my grille today! - Focaljet

**lambiam** · 04-19-2008, 06:57 PM

Well, this is a year in the making

BEFORE:

AFTER:

UPDATE:

here's one in the sunlight:

still debating if I should shoot some more clear on it. What do you guys think?

**o2_designs** · 04-19-2008, 07:14 PM

Take it off, shoot the clear, and put the black mesh back in...

**lambiam** · 04-19-2008, 07:15 PM

that is the black mesh....painted silver haha. as for the clear, i have three coats on it already....

**cant_focus** · 04-19-2008, 07:53 PM

Did you get a can of the paint from ford and then like use a air compressor spray gun? Or when you buy it from ford does it come in a spray can...I needa do this so bad...

**lambiam** · 04-19-2008, 08:11 PM

nah...nothing from Ford...I used a regualr can of Duplicolor paint in the color match....in this case Silver Frost. i sanded it down, sprayed on some filler primer, then sprayed on the paint...wet sanded with 600 between coats, then sprayed 3 coats of clear. It takes a lil bit of time but its worth it....

I will probably shoot some more clear tomorrow. just to give it some more shine and protect it better...

**danager** · 04-19-2008, 08:50 PM

I agree, paint the mesh black again. And for the surround, sand the clear with a 2000, and then hit it with some polishing compound. I just painted my mirror caps, and followed that process.

**lambiam** · 04-19-2008, 09:12 PM

yeah i was gonna leave the mesh black...but i didn't want to hack the clips to get it off...and i also didn't feel i would of got a great masking job off...so i went with the ST look grille instead....I'm satisfied for now.

**Forbidn** · 04-19-2008, 10:40 PM

Yeah! Silver Grille Love! lol

**1svt4u2c** · 04-21-2008, 01:55 AM

Lookin good. I like the all silver grille. Now, paint the fog light surrounding's body color, and paint the middle bar on the front bumper black (or have someone photoshop that idea first). Either way, the grille looks good, especially if its a rattle can job.

-Matt

**LornesBored** · 04-21-2008, 02:17 AM

did this REALLY take you a year to do?

I mean... I think I could knock it out in under an hour..

**danager** · 04-21-2008, 02:47 AM

**Random Select** · 04-21-2008, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o2_designs

Take it off, shoot the clear, and put the black mesh back in...

QFT

**lambiam** · 04-21-2008, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LornesBored

did this REALLY take you a year to do?

I mean... I think I could knock it out in under an hour..

haha no not at all...I've just been talking about the idea for a year and finally decided to do it. lol

it took the good part of the day though with prep and painting and all that sanding job... course half of that time is waiting for between coats.

do the foglights just unplug from a harness if I wanted to take the whole assembly out?

**LornesBored** · 04-21-2008, 12:16 PM

correct

**1svt4u2c** · 04-21-2008, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danager

similar idea, just leave the bottom bar body color. do the rest of the area black, then body color the fogs. idk, maybe its just me, but the way I see it in my head, it looks good.

-Matt

**danager** · 04-21-2008, 03:46 PM

I know what you mean, paint just the center bar. This is an actual pic after a member painted his bumper.

I do kinda like the silver mesh... I don't think most colors would look right, but silver looks alright. But, your car, your time...your call.

**1svt4u2c** · 04-21-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danager

I know what you mean, paint just the center bar. This is an actual pic after a member painted his bumper.

I do kinda like the silver mesh... I don't think most colors would look right, but silver looks alright. But, your car, your time...your call.

oh so very true! sorry if I seemed like I was telling you what to do with your car, I was just trying to let you know what I was seeing in my head. So, keep doing what you're doing.

-Matt

**Focus_Pokus** · 04-21-2008, 08:48 PM

Grille looks nice! I wouldn't change a thing. I'm planning on doing the same thing with my grille.

**fx4baja** · 04-21-2008, 11:02 PM

That is a good job i actually bought the silver ST grille and i cant tell any difference between mine and yours.I like the silver center vs. the black on the silver focus.

Here's mine.

**lambiam** · 04-21-2008, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fx4baja

That is a good job i actually bought the silver ST grille and i cant tell any difference between mine and yours.I like the silver center vs. the black on the silver focus.

Here's mine.

thanks...you have yourself a sweet lil hatchback there...

and yeah i think the sivler looks good on the silver focus, but i dont know how it would look on other colors...

**bergj1986** · 07-16-2008, 12:17 PM

Now how do you guys think it would look on my '05 Pitch Black ZX3? I'm debating whether or not to paint the chrome surround gloss black. I feel the chrome on the front of the car makes it look a little cheesy, I'm thinking about turning my Fucus into a Stealth Fucus!

**bergj1986** · 07-16-2008, 12:17 PM

lambiam, I really like those rims, what are they? Size?

**TheShocker** · 07-17-2008, 09:40 PM

nice car but why not just throw an aftermarket black mesh grille in there and let more air into the engine bay this is just my 2 cents nice car though

**joshfink** · 07-18-2008, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bergj1986

Now how do you guys think it would look on my '05 Pitch Black ZX3? I'm debating whether or not to paint the chrome surround gloss black. I feel the chrome on the front of the car makes it look a little cheesy, I'm thinking about turning my Fucus into a Stealth Fucus!

I did it to my 07 sedan... came out awesome!

**Johnny_P** · 07-18-2008, 11:19 AM

the all silver grille looks awesome, I wouldn't change it

04-19-2008, 06:57 PM	#1
lambiam TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 306	Color matched my grille today! Well, this is a year in the making BEFORE: AFTER: UPDATE: here's one in the sunlight: still debating if I should shoot some more clear on it. What do you guys think? Last edited by lambiam : 04-21-2008 at 11:21 PM.

04-19-2008, 07:14 PM	#2
o2_designs Resident Wheel-Whore Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Land of 10,000 Lakes Posts: 9,630	Re: Color matched my grille today! Take it off, shoot the clear, and put the black mesh back in... __________________ *~~Boost Crew supports single mothers~~* *_/ ResidentWheel-Whore\_* 'Bone Stock'2002 TwilightBlue ZX3-Neglect has led to a nasty whine from under tha rusty hood. (CHROMED) STS Prep'd 2001 Pitch Black 5spd Wagon-(666-STFU) "...That way I don't have to clean my sheets..."-Pappy, 2008 *o2 has already won so he is no longer eligible.-Ataru*

04-19-2008, 07:15 PM	#3
lambiam TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 306	Re: Color matched my grille today! that is the black mesh....painted silver haha. as for the clear, i have three coats on it already.... Last edited by lambiam : 04-19-2008 at 07:44 PM.

04-19-2008, 07:53 PM	#4
cant_focus Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: minneapolis Posts: 84	Re: Color matched my grille today! Did you get a can of the paint from ford and then like use a air compressor spray gun? Or when you buy it from ford does it come in a spray can...I needa do this so bad... __________________ 2006 Liquid Grey Hatchback - Cleaned up... www.mnfocus.com

04-19-2008, 08:11 PM	#5
lambiam TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 306	Re: Color matched my grille today! nah...nothing from Ford...I used a regualr can of Duplicolor paint in the color match....in this case Silver Frost. i sanded it down, sprayed on some filler primer, then sprayed on the paint...wet sanded with 600 between coats, then sprayed 3 coats of clear. It takes a lil bit of time but its worth it.... I will probably shoot some more clear tomorrow. just to give it some more shine and protect it better...

04-19-2008, 08:50 PM	#6
danager TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 445	Re: Color matched my grille today! I agree, paint the mesh black again. And for the surround, sand the clear with a 2000, and then hit it with some polishing compound. I just painted my mirror caps, and followed that process.

04-19-2008, 09:12 PM	#7
lambiam TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 306	Re: Color matched my grille today! yeah i was gonna leave the mesh black...but i didn't want to hack the clips to get it off...and i also didn't feel i would of got a great masking job off...so i went with the ST look grille instead....I'm satisfied for now.

04-19-2008, 10:40 PM	#8
Forbidn TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lakeville,MN Posts: 151	Re: Color matched my grille today! Yeah! Silver Grille Love! lol __________________ 2002 CD Silver SVT Focus (1 of 513) 2004 Oxford White Mach1 (12.74@109mph) WWW.MYSPACE.COM/12SECMACH

04-21-2008, 01:55 AM	#9
1svt4u2c Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: York, PA Posts: 1,601	Re: Color matched my grille today! Lookin good. I like the all silver grille. Now, paint the fog light surrounding's body color, and paint the middle bar on the front bumper black (or have someone photoshop that idea first). Either way, the grille looks good, especially if its a rattle can job. -Matt __________________ 2003 Infra Red SVT #2940 of 3985 AEM SRI, CFM 67mm TB, FC Pulley's, ORP - MIL, Magnaflow Exhaust, VF Rear Engine Mount, FC STS, SCT II [Ray@McNews Tune], Weighted Shift Knob, Slotted and Drilled R1 Rotors, Removed Rear Seats, Competition Stage II Clutch, Spec Flywheel, Torsen LSD and Black TYC Tails

04-21-2008, 02:17 AM	#10
LornesBored [FJ] Special Ed. Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 9,002	Re: Color matched my grille today! did this REALLY take you a year to do? I mean... I think I could knock it out in under an hour.. __________________ Post whore turned super lurker...

04-21-2008, 02:47 AM	#11
danager TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 445	Re: Color matched my grille today!

04-21-2008, 12:16 PM	#14
LornesBored [FJ] Special Ed. Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 9,002	Re: Color matched my grille today! correct __________________ Post whore turned super lurker...

04-21-2008, 03:46 PM	#16
danager TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 445	Re: Color matched my grille today! I know what you mean, paint just the center bar. This is an actual pic after a member painted his bumper. I do kinda like the silver mesh... I don't think most colors would look right, but silver looks alright. But, your car, your time...your call.

04-21-2008, 08:48 PM	#18
Focus_Pokus TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 104	Re: Color matched my grille today! Grille looks nice! I wouldn't change a thing. I'm planning on doing the same thing with my grille. __________________ '03 ZX5

04-21-2008, 11:02 PM	#19
fx4baja Rookie Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 30	Re: Color matched my grille today! That is a good job i actually bought the silver ST grille and i cant tell any difference between mine and yours.I like the silver center vs. the black on the silver focus. Here's mine.

07-16-2008, 12:17 PM	#21
bergj1986 TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Coral Springs, FL Posts: 117	Re: Color matched my grille today! Now how do you guys think it would look on my '05 Pitch Black ZX3? I'm debating whether or not to paint the chrome surround gloss black. I feel the chrome on the front of the car makes it look a little cheesy, I'm thinking about turning my Fucus into a Stealth Fucus!

07-17-2008, 09:40 PM	#23
TheShocker Rookie Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Fargo, North Dakota Posts: 48	Re: Color matched my grille today! nice car but why not just throw an aftermarket black mesh grille in there and let more air into the engine bay this is just my 2 cents nice car though

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