I am the new owner of an 06 mercury metallic silver ls430, I just autodipped the rims black as a practice run and honestly... painting is much easier than it looks. My question is, how should I go about paining the grill black? (real paint this time) Do I just unbolt the thing and take it out?

 

I don't know how this works on the 2004-2006 grill, but a few years ago I painted the grill on my 2003 in a satin black.

It was super easy. You open the hood, and remove the grill assembly. It involves some hex head screws on the inside of the hood.

Once the grill is removed, you need to remove the plastic grill from the chrome trim ring. Again, it involves some screws. Then, remove the chrome Lexus logo piece from the plastic grill (more screws). Then, clean the plastic grill, and paint. I used satin black spray paint. I think this makes the grill blend with the black louvers on the lower part of the bumper.

After painting, re-assemble. Although, while everything is apart, it is a perfect time to polish the chrome trim ring, and the Lexus logo piece.

BTW, this car is for sale.

2003 Lexus LS430
metallic silver, with OEM grill painted black

 

Thanks! I suppose high heat paint would do?

 

No need for high heat, as there is always air flowing the grill.

 

This is on my short list. Need to sand it down just a touch and then hit it with the satin black...

 

what u think about gloss black?

 

I think satin is more subtle...

 

same, ill have to post pics of the gloss black rims. that's what I was worried about, gloss on gloss might be a bit too flashy on a luxobarge. the satin flows with the cars personality better

 

Thanks guys! I went with the satin black

 

Looks sharp.... I think if the emblem was satin that would look good too. How many coats and what brand of spray paint did you use?

 

I wanted to keep all the chrome chrome, next is the chrome trim on the front and rear bumpers that's gray and peeling really bad. I used krylon satin black and krylon flat crystal clear coat, the clear coat kinda gave it almost a matte finish though. probably didn't need any clear coat just the satin black, was like 8 bucks total at wally world. Edit: Cant remember how many coats of each tbh. Probably like 2 light coats and 4 wet coats, and then like 3 wet clear coats. Just kept spraying until it looked the way I wanted it to, spraying outside near freshly cut grass in the wind is a nightmare

 

I actually found an OEM black and swapped it out.... Then I donated the old one to a member that had an "incident" with a deer..... I like the look and contrast.... Also, went black with the badging, too....

 

Looks good

 

The center logo painted black would cause it to disappear. You could just remove it and leave a black hole! It looks much better being chrome.

 

unless u chrome the grill and black the logo. Thought about that too