Photochoppers: OEM black grill and bumper, can someone help me out?
?
02-10-2004 | 02:20 PM
#24
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 487
Likes: 1
From: Auburn, CA
Last edited by Birdman; 02-10-2004 at 03:10 PM.
02-10-2004 | 03:20 PM
#26
Contributing Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,862
Likes: 0
From: SLC, UT
Color match the grille. A black grill makes it look like the base model 4Runner.
As for the bumper, I think it will look goofy it you keep the valence gray and paint the bumper black. Either paint them both black, or color match the bumper too.
my $0.02
As for the bumper, I think it will look goofy it you keep the valence gray and paint the bumper black. Either paint them both black, or color match the bumper too.
my $0.02
02-10-2004 | 03:37 PM
#27
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 487
Likes: 1
From: Auburn, CA
Ok, I tweaked some more. I needed the practice...
Contrast and compare - grn/grn, blk/blk, grn/blk, gry/gry, primer
Contrast and compare - grn/grn, blk/blk, grn/blk, gry/gry, primer
02-10-2004 | 04:04 PM
#29
Registered User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,644
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton, ON
IMO, I think it looks best with the grill, bumper and valence painted as well, here a couple of before and after pics. It's not the best but it gives you an idea. 
I am just learning Photoshop.
I "painted" the inside of the grill black and the emblem has a little touch of black pearl.
I am just learning Photoshop. I "painted" the inside of the grill black and the emblem has a little touch of black pearl.
Last edited by Vato Loco; 02-10-2004 at 04:09 PM.
02-10-2004 | 04:20 PM
#31
Contributing Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 613
Likes: 0
From: CT
I color matched my OEM grill last winter. I didn't install it for a while because I wasn't completely happy with the way it came out (kind of a orange peel finish if you look close) so I kept running the 99 chrome grill for a while. Then came the TJM so I decided to swap out for the color matched grill. It's definitely the way to go IMO.
What I did was peel all the chrome off of the 97 grille.. and it took HOURS. It was very difficult too. I had to use vise grips and a razor blade. I don't think it was worth all that work. Probably could of gotten away with just a really good sanding. I taped off the center portion of the grill of course, primed it, then I got a pint of the Anthracite paint mixed at Napa. I added some reducer and sprayed it with one of those $5 throw away spayers. I used a couple of layers of clearcoat to finish it off. So far it is holding up pretty well. Wish I had a better picture. I deleted the ones I had of the painting process.
I say go for it.
What I did was peel all the chrome off of the 97 grille.. and it took HOURS. It was very difficult too. I had to use vise grips and a razor blade. I don't think it was worth all that work. Probably could of gotten away with just a really good sanding. I taped off the center portion of the grill of course, primed it, then I got a pint of the Anthracite paint mixed at Napa. I added some reducer and sprayed it with one of those $5 throw away spayers. I used a couple of layers of clearcoat to finish it off. So far it is holding up pretty well. Wish I had a better picture. I deleted the ones I had of the painting process.
I say go for it.
02-10-2004 | 04:58 PM
#33
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 487
Likes: 1
From: Auburn, CA
Originally posted by Tacoma Dude
I've seen Imperial Jade Tacomas with the non-chrome grill and they look pretty nice... [/B]
I've seen Imperial Jade Tacomas with the non-chrome grill and they look pretty nice... [/B]
02-10-2004 | 07:55 PM
#34
Contributing Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,345
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
Little hijack, sorry Christian 
Birdman:
Have you checked out WATRD's (Rob) site? He's got one of the sweetest Tacomas I've seen. Check it out!
http://www.watrd.com
Birdman:
Have you checked out WATRD's (Rob) site? He's got one of the sweetest Tacomas I've seen. Check it out!
http://www.watrd.com
02-10-2004 | 08:17 PM
#35
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,851
Likes: 0
From: PEORIA, AZ
Originally posted by Tacoma Dude
Little hijack, sorry Christian
Birdman:
Have you checked out WATRD's (Rob) site? He's got one of the sweetest Tacomas I've seen. Check it out!
http://www.watrd.com
Little hijack, sorry Christian
Birdman:
Have you checked out WATRD's (Rob) site? He's got one of the sweetest Tacomas I've seen. Check it out!
http://www.watrd.com
02-11-2004 | 06:32 AM
#39
Banned
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 0
Likes: 1
Originally posted by Birdman
Aww Dude.....why'd you have to post that pic of the Taco ARB....I had finally decided on a TJM T-15, and now you got me all confused again.... That sure looks nice.
Aww Dude.....why'd you have to post that pic of the Taco ARB....I had finally decided on a TJM T-15, and now you got me all confused again.... That sure looks nice.
__________________________________________________ _
Hey 96 Runner: Color matched is the only way to go. I'm in the process of doing it to my 99 limited. I have the ARB on order, and when it gets here, it's getting a coat of sunfire red along with all my limited trim and my rear bumper. I already added the scooped hood last month along with the color matched grill for an 02 sport. BTW - sweet rig!
__________________________________________________ _
Only 9 more days til my ARB is stateside! This is the "ARB color-matching" that I'm doing to my OEM front bumper...
