PlastiDip'd My Larmie Grill Insterts

[snoty]

Couldn't find too many people who have done this or at least any information on it, so I went for it! Thought the front of my truck had too much chrome since I replaced the stock chrome rims with matching color rims right after I got it. Not sure how well the PlastiDip will hold up but it has me confident that I like it and I can take the inserts to a paint shop to have it done for good.

Supplies Used:
1 can Anthracite Grey PlastiDip
1 can Glossifier PlastiDip

Process to remove grill (wish I took more pictures or some notes... It's easy to figure out once you're there):
Pop hood. Remove 6? christmas tree plugs from plastic cover. Remove four bolts with 11mm? socket that holds in the grill. Give the grill a good tug and it pops right out.

Once you remove the grill you need to go through and remove the two black plastic air guides by popping out the tabs. Then you remove I think 12 screws holding on a black trim piece. Now you need to be very careful removing the grill inserts by popping out the tabs. I used a flat head screw drive to push down.

I painted the inserts with 30-45 minutes between each coat and did 4 coats of Anthracite Grey and 3 coats of Glossifier. I'm not sure why, but it has kind of a texture to it and I was expecting it to be smoother... no big deal though. Here's the pictures:




Grill Inserts out.


Painted.


Dirty truck but finished.


Old picture of truck but shows what the grill looked like before... 2016 Ram 1500 Larmie Crew Cab 5.7L Hemi

 

[snoty]

Here you can see the texture I was speaking of. Not sure why it turned out that way. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Outbreak]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think that's the typical texture of Plastidip.

Can you post a full after pic? I want to see what the entire front looks like.

 

[billyw]

I plastidipped the chrome trim ring on my console. It has the same texture. I'm surprised how well it's held up for the last couple years. I'm really curious how the grill inserts hold up. I use a high velocity, no touch car wash. I'm afraid the water jet would strip it right off. It looks good though!

 

[snoty]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think that's the typical texture of Plastidip.

Can you post a full after pic? I want to see what the entire front looks like.

After picture

View attachment 134438

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[snoty]

I plastidipped the chrome trim ring on my console. It has the same texture. I'm surprised how well it's held up for the last couple years. I'm really curious how the grill inserts hold up. I use a high velocity, no touch car wash. I'm afraid the water jet would strip it right off. It looks good though!

Great idea on that console ring... reflects the sun right in the eye at certain times of the day.

Haven't had the balls to get the truck washed yet and haven't had time to do it myself. I'll update the thread on how it holds up!

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[casper1102]

How many "wet" coats did you put on. The wet coats are what smooths it out. Use Dip Coat Protective spray to give it a smoother/ harder look and feel. I've done a couple sets of wheels in the past and they came out pretty smooth. High pressure water or car wash will not remove the plastidip... assuming you did enough coats. I've taken a pressure washer to the wheels i dipped often and never damaged the plastidip, its good stuff.

 

[casper1102]

I also dipped my bike

 

[Bowzer]

Looks good. I like the subtle effect. I think the texture does okay as a grill application but understand the desire for smooth when and if.

Well done!

 

[SportinaHemi]

I dipped a bunch of stuff on my truck. And to be honest, if you want a smooth finish I do believe you gotta start with heavier coats from the start, but not too heavy. The more light and amount of layers, the more that texture you will see. I did my stock wheels and it goofed on the lil center cap. I peeled it off and did 1 heavy layer and it was was super smooth, but went against EVERYTHING I read/watched online, including big-biceps Fonzie at dip your car. So for what it is worth, thicker layers (carefully done) seems to produce a much smoother look.

 

[jeeplj8]

That looks great. Really sets that truck off.

 

[Marsch]

Here you can see the texture I was speaking of. Not sure why it turned out that way. Any input would be appreciated.

View attachment 134485

Kind of give it the rough bed liner look Which doesnt look bad at all.