Right, after my failed attempt (and pure lack of patience!) at vinyl wrapping my front grille, I decided to paint it instead.

 

I went to Halfords and had a look at the shades of black that they had. Ended up opting for Vauxhall Sapphire Black pearlescent.

 

Rubbed down the grille, into plastic primer, rub down, base coat, then a few coats of lacquer. I've stopped at that, as if I'm honest I'm not 100% happy with the colour. It just seems too dull for my liking....

 

I'm after a black that's as rich as a black can be, and just generally nice and shiny ideally. It can be pearlescent or not, doesn't bother me. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what they've used? I 100% don't want it matt though, as my Spiders are gloss black also.

 

Cheers all!

Skoda black magic?

Probably looks like I'm a numpty, but I've genuinely never seen the colour up close! Seen photos, but I've seen glossier blacks elsewhere, but can't think exactly where!

Black magic all the way

I will take both your words for it then! Cheers!

 

I presume this is metallic?

Yeah same colour as my car

It's a pearlescent and halfords sell it that's where I got mine from

Yeah pearlescent looks great (when clean!)

Yeah pearlescent looks great (when clean!)

+1

You wont get a shine without laquer anyways

You need the proper black magic pearl

Then once its painted you need to 'flat it' with some fine grade maybe 1200 wet and dry until it looks dull

Then use a laquer to bring the pearl out!

Then again flat it off with maybe some 2000 wet and dry

Then use a cutting compound and voila!

Cheers for the advice and pics guys!

 

Bought some Black Magic yesterday. Flatted my grille back down and sprayed the base coat earlier today - this colour is much more like what I'm looking for :-)

 

Cheers Jase - I did lacquer the grille when I painted it with the Vauxhall colour, but it wasn't a nice colour at all.

 

Will get the lacquer on tomorrow :-)

Glad you got the look you were after! Going to do mine this week I think

Did you use etching primer or just normal primer on the grill mate?

Did you use etching primer or just normal primer on the grill mate?

please explain the difference to a knuckle head like me . :think:  

please explain the difference to a knuckle head like me . :think:

I'm not 100% myself someone put you need etching primer on it for some reason just wondered if you'd used it? I've got some normal primer so might just use that if you have

Would like to spray my upper grill part but just confused now about primer.

I used grey plastic primer on the grille after giving it a thorough key with 600 grade paper. Etch primer is used to aid in adhesion from what I can gather. I thought it was typically used as the first step on a metallic panel though....  Although someone on here may be able to clarify further.

 

You should be fine so long as you give the surface a good key for the primer to stick to.

 

Just been down to my unit to lacquer it - looking good! There's an annoying piece of dust that settled on my 3rd coat of lacquer, so I'll rub that out carefully tomorrow and give it another coat. Then let it harden before flatting and polishing finally :-)

 

I've started prepping my mirror covers and fog light inserts also. Don't know if I want to attempt the spoiler with spray cans though - going to see what sort of finish I can get first. I do have a large compressor and everything to spray, so may just get everything out and do it properly.

 

Pics when I'm done!

I've got normal primer so might get some etching primer to do mine

I did mine with normal primer been done about a month and is fine so far always thought etch primer was for bear metal but I know nothing

I'm no expert either I'm sure someone said you need etching primer that's all. I won't bother then and just use plastic primer

I just wrapped my grill yesterday. You are right, need alot of patience. Heat is definitely your friend when doing it. I've also got a new style badge on it.

Pic

Edited 29 September, 201312 yr by armstrong21490