DIY chrome grille repaint

[macevrs]

Thought I'd do a quick write up of how to repaint the front grille. Getting it off the car is the easy part just use an empty 6mm socket for the plastic clips and a hex bit for the screws - mind the washers dont fall into the engine bay!

 

Removing the chrome from the plastic takes a lot of patience but it is possible - start with the under side and a screwdriver. (don't attempt if very cold - plastic snaps easily when cold)

 

 

Once the bottom edge is free, move around to the sides of the grille

 

 

Then move to the badge surround using a smaller screwdriver and gently pull apart pushing on the back of the badge with your thumb

 

 

Then move to the bottom edge of the top of the grill and do the same pushing the chrome away through the gaps

 

 

Now seperate the two!

 

 

mask up or remove the badge if swapping the badge over at the same time (didn't swap mine yet) then scratch up the chrome finish with some fine glass paper (I used 240 grit) then spray up with lots of thin layers of plastic primer (grey)

 

 

Smooth out after lots of layers with some very fine glass paper. Hit it with some matching paint (race blue courtesy of eBay!) lots of thin coats 15 mins between them

 

 

looks nothing like race blue color and won't until lots of layers and the lacquer is applied (I used a full can!)  - the light in my shed is rubbish too.

 

 

Finished grille, minus the masking tape used on the badge! to put it back together i used a blanket and followed the order i removed it in reverse. Very satisfying to click back in the sides can be tough though.

 

BEFORE:

 

 

AFTER:

 

 

Very pleased with the final result. Badge next maybe? Looks very OEM but much better than chrome IMO.

[windy1978]

Very nice. I have a spare grill on its way to me for the same treatment.

[Stormchaser]

Nice write up

Hope it doesn't chip too much. I've got Plasti dip to try on both my grille surrounds as they are far thinner than the Octavia.

It looks great btw you've done a nice job [emoji106]