My truck originally had the black bumpers and bare plastic valances. I got into a minor bumper bender and used that opportunity to upgrade the bumpers to chrome ones (as I have now). Unfortunately, the only valances I could find (besides the stealership) were referred to as non-paintable.

I am finally tired of looking at the bare plastic valances and am wanting to find a way to paint them the same shade of silver as my truck. Can I make them "paintable" if I sand them to scuff'em up and then add a coat of primer? I want to do this the right way because I want it to match and I don't want it to look like crap.

Side, but related, question: Did Chrysler/Dodge only use one shade of silver? Or is there some kind of specific name I am looking for in reference to the color?

 

Are you referring to the lower grille, and the rear lower bumper pieces?

After my accident, I got a lighter blue donor front lower bumper. Also got a re-pro hood. Maaco painted it for $800. I looked alright for awhile, but now it's flaking around edges on both. Turns out, they did zero prep work, they just sprayed over what was there. So now I'm saving up to have the whole truck done (it needs it).

But yes, anything can be painted. It's all about preparation.

 

they make some pretty good plastic paints now. look on your label on the drivers door jamb, your paint code is on there. it should be a 3 digit code.(ie. mine is PB3) a automotive paint store should be able to mix it into rattle cans for you.

 

for painting plastic, I've found the best thing to do is to hit them with a coat of Adhesion Promoter immediately before painting...

 

primer on steroids??

 

Will I literally throw on a coat of this Adhesion Promotor and immediately pick up the can of paint (without letting the AP dry)?

Thanks guys.

Magnethead, I'll look into that code. I believe there is a Napa autoparts near me that specializes in mixing up paints and putting them in aerosol cans.

It's good to know that it IS possible.

I'll completely remove the plastic portions, to be painted, off of the truck. This will make masking off a non-issue. Clean them real good and get to work.

Will I need to add a clear coat or anything? Or will a coat of wax be enough once the paint fully cures?

Maaco told me a while ago that it wasn't possible either. That it would just flake. That was back when they had my truck from my accident. F**kers lol

Sorry about your flaky paint job from them.

 

Is it like this one

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1998-...-/120358556624

 

Not quite. I bought the chrome bumpers and plastic portions separate from different sellers.

Here is what mine looks like:
Photo0304-1.jpg

This pic is before i snipped out the black fins from the grill.

As you can see, the bare plastic gets discolored with age and is hard to keep clean. It is bothersome . I want to paint it nice to match the rest of the truck. I also want to install some freaking fog lights. I am tired of looking at the round spots where they should be!

 

I think you could paint it or just get a newer piece

 

I definitely would paint it before I would replace it.