Chrome grill
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Chrome grill
Thought I'd post this since there seems to be renewed interest in it.
Note that I did not uncover all my chrome, just the leading edge of each slat. I left the rest painted to create darker areas to make the chrome stand out more.
I used Citristripper from Home Depot and razors to do the majority of the work. I used shop towels sprayed with carb cleaner to do "touch up" work.
Note that I did not uncover all my chrome, just the leading edge of each slat. I left the rest painted to create darker areas to make the chrome stand out more.
I used Citristripper from Home Depot and razors to do the majority of the work. I used shop towels sprayed with carb cleaner to do "touch up" work.
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Just regular razors like you buy in a 5 pack. The Citristripper softens up the paint and you just scrape it off like scraping off residue from your windshield (like inspection/registration stickers).
I took the grill off of the hood, but there is only 1 rubber part, a flange that runs across the top. I left the flange on. I took my "L" off because I didn't know if the stripper would jack my gold
Took me about an hour, but that is NOT counting the 20-30 minutes the stripper has to sit on the paint and soak in. I used that time wash the truck.
I took the grill off of the hood, but there is only 1 rubber part, a flange that runs across the top. I left the flange on. I took my "L" off because I didn't know if the stripper would jack my gold
Took me about an hour, but that is NOT counting the 20-30 minutes the stripper has to sit on the paint and soak in. I used that time wash the truck.
Last edited by aedgington; Oct 30, 2006 at 12:38 PM.
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Around an hour and a half, including stripper soak time. The razor *can* damage the chrome. You have to just slide it along, don't let it bite into the chrome. You might have spots where the stripper didn't soak all the way through and the razor only takes off the top of the paint. For that, I used a rag sprayed w/ carb cleaner to get the remaining residue off.
I read in another post where a guy used steel wool, but I'm sure that would scratch the chrome. If the razor makes you nervous, another thing you could try is a pots & pans green scrubbing pad. It's abrasive, but not enough to scratch the chrome.
I read in another post where a guy used steel wool, but I'm sure that would scratch the chrome. If the razor makes you nervous, another thing you could try is a pots & pans green scrubbing pad. It's abrasive, but not enough to scratch the chrome.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,732
Likes: 1
From: now here
Be careful when you do it. Razors work the best but just dont let the corners dig in. I just did the mod too, came out alright i guess. I tried to get all the paint off but didnt suceed. I guess i could still put more elbow grease into it but too much for one week for me. I have detailed pictures on how to take the grille off if you would like me to post them up here i will. If its not needed ied rather not waste my time.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,732
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From: now here
i hate smokey topaz bull****. ****ing hate this color but whatever...its what ive got. I wish i had a black 03 w/ the black windows not the bronze. As you can see by my vivid discription of the color...i really hate it. But my mom picked it out back many years ago. At least i got to choose the truck...she wanted a 2000 4Runner to replace our 1996 we had.
Ok the pictures are coming soon.
Ok the pictures are coming soon.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,732
Likes: 1
From: now here
ok there are other steps but this is just an overview because im too lazy to make you guys a full tutorial....and i got fed up with constantly taking pictures. Also, remove the bolts first and take the grille off the car before you unscrew all the philips heads, it would be easier. I forgot about all those screws on the topside.
Also, if you cant figure out how to put the grille back on after taking it off yourself, you shouldnt be doing this mod so please dont ask me how to put it back on if you took it off. Its called reverse order.
Also, if you cant figure out how to put the grille back on after taking it off yourself, you shouldnt be doing this mod so please dont ask me how to put it back on if you took it off. Its called reverse order.