Rock chips. Should I fix myself?

[03z71chevy]

Looking to repaint the bumper and grill of my black Z71 to get rid of what many highway miles have done the past 9 years. I was curious to hear from anyone who had experience painting the bumper and/or grill themselves.

The chips in the grill have left enough damage that I figure it would be easiest to just buy an aftermarket grill that's not chrome and paint it to match (ebay $68). The bumper has some of the same damage but I figure that would be easier to sand and smooth out.

Guess my question is that even if I do the correct sanding and prep work, which I still have questions about, how likely is it that this will come out looking good and last me at least a few years? Is the color match duplicolor paint and clear coat going to last?

 

[Ben]

I bought color matched bumpers and grills fairly cheap off ebay back in the day. Just do some research before you spend 500 bucks just to repaint the front end.

 

[03z71chevy]

I did not think I would be able to find a bumper and grill already color matched. I will keep and eye out for that. That would certainly be the easiest solution.

 

[03z71chevy]

Spent a little while searching ebay and online stores and the best I can find are aftermarket bumpers and grills that come in black primer. For a set like this it's $350.

I did find a grill that came painted black but it was almost $300 alone.

Unless I am just not finding the right deals, and I will keep looking, I'm back to fixing it myself or just paying a pro to do it.

 

[03z71chevy]

Ok I have made no progress on this project and I can no longer find any painted grilles on ebay or anywhere else for that matter.

What I am leaning towards now is trying to buy an aftermarket grille like this one and paint it myself.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12335634-GM...Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c6d72b041&vxp=mtr

The problem is I don't know crap about painting. Given that this grill is already black with no chrome should I even bother sanding or just prime and paint?

 

[Matt06Yukon]

Unless your not that picky about the outcome, I would just drop the truck or the pieces off at a paint shop. Black is the easiest and cheapest color to paint. Let the pros do it, shop around for prices, check their work and you'll be much happier in the end.

 

[FishinCricket]

Unless your not that picky about the outcome, I would just drop the truck or the pieces off at a paint shop. Black is the easiest and cheapest color to paint. Let the pros do it, shop around for prices, check their work and you'll be much happier in the end.

This

 

[03z71chevy]

Well I am picky and I really want it to come out looking at least pretty good. I was just hoping for an easy solution. The one shop I went to quoted me a high number but that was with them taking everything apart.

Ill try and get at least a couple more quotes with me bringing in the parts. I may as well do it right and get the hood sanded and painted at that point though. Then the Hoe would be looking real good.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Matt06Yukon]

I dropped off my street scenes pillar caps to be painted and they were $100. Exactly the number I had in my head, and they came out way better than I could ever do em. I'm gonna drop the Yukon back off in the summer to have him fix a few spots, including fixing two little dents in the hood and then respray it. $400 which is totally reasonable to me.
You wanna find a smaller local shop that's good, larger shops only want the warranty work and charge way to much for walk in stuff.

 

[03z71chevy]

That's a good point. The shop I got my quote from was a big place. I know of one smaller shop that I will try next. I just wish I knew of someone that has used them before.