Can chrome grille be painted to match the body?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

jssmith76

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2015
Posts
213
Reaction score
76
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Ram Year
2009
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I got an '09 Sport (Sunburst Orange) that unfortunately came with the chrome grille. I want the grille to be body color like the Sports of old and new. I plasti-dipped my grille black about 6-9 months ago. Recently, I was at the dealership, and ordered some touch up paint. I was surprised when I got a small spray can of paint as opposed to the touchup pen of paint. So, I got the novel idea of taking all of the plasti-dip off, and spray painting it with the touchup paint.

But, will it hold up to the chrome? Do I need to strip or sand the chrome to buff it up to make the paint adhere better. Or should I just take it to an auto paint shop and let the pro's take care of it?
 

AustinB

Banned
Joined
Sep 8, 2015
Posts
3,942
Reaction score
2,052
Location
San Diego, Left Coast
Ram Year
2015
Engine
hemi 5.7
This question comes up every week. Google will supply you with thousands of answers on this.

IMO
 

Graygoose

Indecisive Car Owner
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2011
Posts
16,824
Reaction score
31,460
Location
Oklahoma
Ram Year
Convert, for now.
Engine
small
Yes you can, or purchase a regular grill as well. I believe they can be swapped.
 

Ronan

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2016
Posts
447
Reaction score
196
Ram Year
2013
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Just did this with some steel mesh from Home Depot!! 30$ I like. It came powder coated white and I clear coated where I used snips.. Pretty easy..e362a3703dbb2ca993923120e97f93c6.jpgb4f977880a1087dbebe1e16e5f9ec788.jpg
We'll see how it holds up to the salty beach, but not bad for my first go at it. If it rusts I'll get some stainless or aluminum...
 

kml9491

Senior Member
Joined
May 12, 2016
Posts
217
Reaction score
130
Ram Year
2016
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Just did this with some steel mesh from Home Depot!! 30$ I like. It came powder coated white and I clear coated where I used snips.. Pretty easy..e362a3703dbb2ca993923120e97f93c6.jpgb4f977880a1087dbebe1e16e5f9ec788.jpg
We'll see how it holds up to the salty beach, but not bad for my first go at it. If it rusts I'll get some stainless or aluminum...



Good job! Looks great! Post this in the grill thread too!
 

Ronan

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2016
Posts
447
Reaction score
196
Ram Year
2013
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Thanks man!!
 

BlownGP

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2013
Posts
6,079
Reaction score
1,571
Location
Houston/Baton Rouge
Ram Year
2018 RAM Harvest New Holland Blue
Engine
5.7
Just did this with some steel mesh from Home Depot!! 30$ I like. It came powder coated white and I clear coated where I used snips.. Pretty easy..e362a3703dbb2ca993923120e97f93c6.jpgb4f977880a1087dbebe1e16e5f9ec788.jpg
We'll see how it holds up to the salty beach, but not bad for my first go at it. If it rusts I'll get some stainless or aluminum...

How did you attach it to the back side of grille?
I want to do something similar. That looks real good
 

Ronan

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2016
Posts
447
Reaction score
196
Ram Year
2013
Engine
Hemi 5.7
How did you attach it to the back side of grille?
I want to do something similar. That looks real good



I you zoom in you can see , I just notched it around the clips that hold the original insert. I did put a couple non-obstructive screws in a few spots. I plan on dissecting the original grill to make the clips work where I need them. So far it's seems fine even without the clips. But they will be a more permanent solution.
 

BlownGP

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2013
Posts
6,079
Reaction score
1,571
Location
Houston/Baton Rouge
Ram Year
2018 RAM Harvest New Holland Blue
Engine
5.7
I you zoom in you can see , I just notched it around the clips that hold the original insert. I did put a couple non-obstructive screws in a few spots. I plan on dissecting the original grill to make the clips work where I need them. So far it's seems fine even without the clips. But they will be a more permanent solution.

Yeah, I sorta see it.

So, that's the chicken mesh stuff right?
 

Ronan

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2016
Posts
447
Reaction score
196
Ram Year
2013
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Yeah, I sorta see it.



So, that's the chicken mesh stuff right?



It's actually called "pet screen" supposed to stake into the ground for a perimeter fence for a dog. Definitely thicker gauge than chicken wire, probably .032 I imagine. Maybe thicker. Snipped pretty easy with aviators. I'll take a pic of. The scrap in a little bit for reference.
 

BlownGP

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2013
Posts
6,079
Reaction score
1,571
Location
Houston/Baton Rouge
Ram Year
2018 RAM Harvest New Holland Blue
Engine
5.7

jlpowell84

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2016
Posts
527
Reaction score
132
Ram Year
2012
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Came out really good Ronan! Certainly something to consider.
 

Ronan

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2016
Posts
447
Reaction score
196
Ram Year
2013
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Cool, thanks for the info.



This has me thinking. In the comments guy used it on his Jeep.

http://www.amazon.com/THERMWELL-PRO...rue&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER



That's stuff looks like it would work, if you do like I was planning with the original clips from the insert. Otherwise I'm not sure it would be rigid enough. I actually used that stuff about 20 years ago on my old turbo rx7 scoop. Bright side is it definitely won't rust. You can also buy DIY stainless mesh kits for grills for not too much$ off Amazon. Like I said it was my first go at it. I really like how it came out , and I did it hastily. Just got sick of the stock billet.

Thanks fellas!!!
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
jssmith76

jssmith76

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2015
Posts
213
Reaction score
76
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Ram Year
2009
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Just did this with some steel mesh from Home Depot!! 30$ I like. It came powder coated white and I clear coated where I used snips.. Pretty easy..e362a3703dbb2ca993923120e97f93c6.jpgb4f977880a1087dbebe1e16e5f9ec788.jpg
We'll see how it holds up to the salty beach, but not bad for my first go at it. If it rusts I'll get some stainless or aluminum...
That looks really good Ronan. Never thought about painting the inserts body color. Gives me so. Etching to think about after I eventually paint my grille surround. [emoji119]
 

BlownGP

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2013
Posts
6,079
Reaction score
1,571
Location
Houston/Baton Rouge
Ram Year
2018 RAM Harvest New Holland Blue
Engine
5.7
That's stuff looks like it would work, if you do like I was planning with the original clips from the insert. Otherwise I'm not sure it would be rigid enough. I actually used that stuff about 20 years ago on my old turbo rx7 scoop. Bright side is it definitely won't rust. You can also buy DIY stainless mesh kits for grills for not too much$ off Amazon. Like I said it was my first go at it. I really like how it came out , and I did it hastily. Just got sick of the stock billet.

Thanks fellas!!!

Yeah, that's what I asked the guy that used it on the Jeep. I too was thinking it might be to flimsy. For a few bucks its worth a shot.

I am going to Lowes this weekend and look around too.

I've heard of people do this too, years ago but I really didn't have a car to use it on.
 

twodips

Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2016
Posts
70
Reaction score
12
Ram Year
2019 Classic
Engine
HEMI 5.7
I had a truck with a painted chrome grill. Paint chipped off eventually looking really bad.
Hard to get a good stick with Chrome.
 

BlownGP

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2013
Posts
6,079
Reaction score
1,571
Location
Houston/Baton Rouge
Ram Year
2018 RAM Harvest New Holland Blue
Engine
5.7
Well looks like the 09-12 grilles are different than the 13+

The honey comb inserts and the 4 tabs on top that bolt to the truck is all one piece. So I would have to take it off. Dremal the honey comb section out. Put the mesh on and attach everything back up. FUUN..lol
 
Last edited:

Ronan

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2016
Posts
447
Reaction score
196
Ram Year
2013
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Well looks like the 09-12 grilles are different than the 13+

The honey comb inserts and the 4 on top that bolt to the truck is all one piece. So I would have to take it off. Dremal the honey comb section out. Put the mesh on and attach everything back up. FUUN..lol



Ouch...... I didn't know it was one piece, I guess now you decide how bad do you wanna change your grill.?.?.?.....hmmmm
 
Top