DIY Chrome Grill w/pics
12-23-01, 03:00 PM
#1
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
DIY Chrome Grill w/pics
Ok just killing time today all the X-mas stuff is done here so I thought I would put together a post on the EASIEST way to remove the paint on the ribs of your GS grill to show the chrome..
The tools I used are these that are pictured below.. This Circa 1850 Super Degooper can be bought at any Home Depot in Canada ($3.95 CDN) but for you US CL members just go to Home Depot and ask a paint associate for a Gel type paint remover.. The Circa 1850 stuff comes it two forms a liquid and a gel type.. I purchased both but the gel does all the work and if you have nail polish remover around you can use that for the fine work..
This process takes about 1 hour from start to finish and it is so easy since the gel does all the work for you..
Step 1:
Use a 10mm socket to remove the grill from the car. There are 5 nuts holding the grill to the hood and 2 holding the hood latch assembly. Note do not drop the nuts as they are hard to find if you do, other than that this will take about 5 minutes.
Step 2:
Turn the grill over and you will see a phillps screw holding the Lexus Logo to the grill. Remove that screw and the logo assembly just pops out. This will take you 30 seconds.
The tools I used are these that are pictured below.. This Circa 1850 Super Degooper can be bought at any Home Depot in Canada ($3.95 CDN) but for you US CL members just go to Home Depot and ask a paint associate for a Gel type paint remover.. The Circa 1850 stuff comes it two forms a liquid and a gel type.. I purchased both but the gel does all the work and if you have nail polish remover around you can use that for the fine work..
This process takes about 1 hour from start to finish and it is so easy since the gel does all the work for you..
Step 1:
Use a 10mm socket to remove the grill from the car. There are 5 nuts holding the grill to the hood and 2 holding the hood latch assembly. Note do not drop the nuts as they are hard to find if you do, other than that this will take about 5 minutes.
Step 2:
Turn the grill over and you will see a phillps screw holding the Lexus Logo to the grill. Remove that screw and the logo assembly just pops out. This will take you 30 seconds.
Last edited by 2SAVVY; 12-24-01 at 04:57 PM.
12-23-01, 03:06 PM
#2
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Step 3:
Apply Circa 1850 Super Degooper Gel with either a small artist brush or what I used was a Q-tip since I couldn't find a brush at the time. Apply gel to just the top of the rib if you want to do the sides of the ribs it is up to you. Wait 30 minutes then come back and use the edge of a pen cap to remove the black paint and show the beautiful chrome underneath.
Attached is a before pic of the GS grill
Apply Circa 1850 Super Degooper Gel with either a small artist brush or what I used was a Q-tip since I couldn't find a brush at the time. Apply gel to just the top of the rib if you want to do the sides of the ribs it is up to you. Wait 30 minutes then come back and use the edge of a pen cap to remove the black paint and show the beautiful chrome underneath.
Attached is a before pic of the GS grill
12-23-01, 03:11 PM
#3
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Step 4:
Use a Q-tip dipped in either acetone or nail polish remover to clean up the edges and you are all done. Wash the grill in hot soapy water then dry and you are done. Total time is 1 hour with half of that just waiting for the gel to do its stuff. Very easy mod as some of you know but most of the how to I have read you guys have used just nail polish remover and or acetone. Way too much work that way. Go out and get a Gel type paint remover and you will thank me later.
After picture #1
Use a Q-tip dipped in either acetone or nail polish remover to clean up the edges and you are all done. Wash the grill in hot soapy water then dry and you are done. Total time is 1 hour with half of that just waiting for the gel to do its stuff. Very easy mod as some of you know but most of the how to I have read you guys have used just nail polish remover and or acetone. Way too much work that way. Go out and get a Gel type paint remover and you will thank me later.
After picture #1
Last edited by 2SAVVY; 12-23-01 at 03:27 PM.
12-23-01, 03:33 PM
#7
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
No prob TMitchell if you or anyone else has any questions by all means drop me a post and i'll be happy to help out..
Merry Christmas everyone!!
Merry Christmas everyone!!
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12-23-01, 07:29 PM
#10
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
No idea about the J30 grill.. Best way to see if it is chrome underneth is to look where it is stone chipped and if it looks shiny underneth then there is a good chance it is chrome but don't blame me if it doesn't work.. :eek: 
12-23-01, 08:02 PM
#12
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They didn't have that stuff you used so I got Jasco Premium paint and epoxy remover. Four dollars ....Took me one and a half hours. Just for the hell of it I did it twice. Guy dont be afraid to spread that shiat on.
....Took me one and a half hours. Just for the hell of it I did it twice. Guy dont be afraid to spread that shiat on.
12-23-01, 08:09 PM
#15
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Hey great job enginyr.. I was just about to post my during pics but yours are just fine.. Those Q-tips work great don't they!
You just did the tops of the ribs correct??
I thought about doing the sides but changed my mind..
You just did the tops of the ribs correct??
I thought about doing the sides but changed my mind..