Anyone try the ebay paintable grills?

1411 Views 11 Replies 5 Participants Last post by TooExtreme2002, Aug 27, 2007

TooExtreme2002

Discussion Starter · Jul 29, 2007

Anyone try them? I want to know if the fit is off. If you have one colormatched, post a pic. I have the Z-71 bumper and top pad with a Z-71 lower valence coming in the mail. I need a grill before i go into paint. So how was your experience with the generic grill?

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ririck

· #2 · Jul 29, 2007

TooExtreme2002 said:
Anyone try them? I want to know if the fit is off. If you have one colormatched, post a pic. I have the Z-71 bumper and top pad with a Z-71 lower valence coming in the mail. I need a grill before i go into paint. So how was your experience with the generic grill?

I don't see why you wouldnt be able to paint ANY grille, what's the difference in the ebay paintables?

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TooExtreme2002

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 29, 2007

It would be a bitch to sand the plastic and chrome smooth enough for the paint to bond well. I drive a lot and chips on the stock paint are typical. Regardless, I am just asking about the fit. I know the top pads from ebay warp and do not fit all that well. My stock grill was cut out for billet too. Its not in the greatest shape.

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ririck

· #4 · Jul 29, 2007

Mine's a T-Rex Billet overlay that came from ebay..

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TooExtreme2002

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 29, 2007

mine came with a cutout billet in it already. Did you paint your grill? How is the valence holding up?

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spanky

· #6 · Jul 29, 2007

TooExtreme2002 said:
Anyone try them? I want to know if the fit is off. If you have one colormatched, post a pic. I have the Z-71 bumper and top pad with a Z-71 lower valence coming in the mail. I need a grill before i go into paint. So how was your experience with the generic grill?

I got a paintable one. Its not off ebay but its an aftermarket one that i got from an autowrecker. It was like 100$ CDN and the fit is pretty good. The only thing thats really different is that the bowtie isnt recessed but i dont think it looks that bad. I think the ebay ones come with a recessed bowtie tho. It's supposed to be painted by monday but i know my bodyshop always takes a long time so it might be another week.
note: The side clips arent pushed in in the pictures.

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ririck

· #7 · Jul 29, 2007

TooExtreme2002 said:
mine came with a cutout billet in it already. Did you paint your grill? How is the valence holding up?

I didn't paint the grille, no, but it looks like paint would easily adhere with some scuffing, as for the valance it's wonderful! Not a chip on it yet *wheres the knock on wood emoticon, LoL*

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billybob750

· #8 · Jul 29, 2007

I hate aftermarket shells for one reason, they dont recess the bowtie 99% of the time and it looks like ass.

Try finding a stock Z71 Tahoe shell, or just get a work truck grill like mine and paint it.

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nekkidhillbilly

· #9 · Jul 30, 2007

the bowtie doesnt recess but it dont look that bad i mena you have to look to see that it isnt

but you can sand and paint your factory one just the same it will hold up over chrome as long as you sand and prep it

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TooExtreme2002

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 24, 2007

It would be a lot of work to sand that inside of a factory grill enough to smooth the plastic down. Maybe I will try a generic one. I want the whole thing painted, not just the stripe.

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spanky

· #11 · Aug 24, 2007

TooExtreme2002 said:
It would be a lot of work to sand that inside of a factory grill enough to smooth the plastic down. Maybe I will try a generic one. I want the whole thing painted, not just the stripe.

I dunno about there but here most shops charge 60$ an hour and it would take 3-4 hours to sand it down smooth enough so i dont think its worth sanding unless you do it yourself. If you have the time that is.

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TooExtreme2002

Discussion Starter · #12 · Aug 27, 2007

spanky said:
I dunno about there but here most shops charge 60$ an hour and it would take 3-4 hours to sand it down smooth enough so i dont think its worth sanding unless you do it yourself. If you have the time that is.

That was my logic, not to mention 4 hours of my time, clean up time, and sandpaper is worth moe than the $80 for a grill ready to go.

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