Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler JK radiators

Paint recommendations

J

JavaDave

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Oklahoma City
I need to repaint the entire factory grille on the 2014 JK I just bought. Paint code is PW7, bright white.

The grille itself is in excellent shape, but the previous owner let bugs and stuff etch and discolor the finish. I plan on doing a light sanding then spray painting the white basecoat before doing the clear coat.

Based on your experience, any recommendations (Pro or Con) on the various brands?

Of course there's the OEM, but it would take a bunch of those little cans. Having to start and stop multiple cans is a concern.

On Amazon, there's TouchupDirect and Touch Up Express, or Duplicolor at the local auto parts stores.

If there are other quality brands you've had experience with, please let me know where I can get them.
 
Rattle can was my intent. Since I'm staying with the same color and doing just the grille, not big glossy panels that stand next to other panels, I think I can do ok with a quality paint product. I did the tank on my bike and was pleased with the results.
 
If you’re going to prep it correctly, spend the extra $100 and get a touch up gun and some automotive paint. Spray black (or whatever your choice is) then spray matte clear.

Here is a matte clear

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TQXI9SC?tag=jkforum-20

Black:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0029818Q6?tag=jkforum-20

Spray gun:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D95RSMJG?tag=jkforum-20

If you want a good spray gun, try this paasche, it breaks the $100 barrier though

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EUWVE8Q?tag=jkforum-20


Edit, I see your after white, not sure how close this is but it is a separate piece and matte I assume.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0029818QG?tag=jkforum-20
 
Last edited:
JavaDave said:
I need to repaint the entire factory grille on the 2014 JK I just bought. Paint code is PW7, bright white.

The grille itself is in excellent shape, but the previous owner let bugs and stuff etch and discolor the finish. I plan on doing a light sanding then spray painting the white basecoat before doing the clear coat.

Based on your experience, any recommendations (Pro or Con) on the various brands?

Of course there's the OEM, but it would take a bunch of those little cans. Having to start and stop multiple cans is a concern.

On Amazon, there's TouchupDirect and Touch Up Express, or Duplicolor at the local auto parts stores.

If there are other quality brands you've had experience with, please let me know where I can get them.
Click to expand...

If you go to a profession paint shop, they can match the paint and put it in spray cans instead of buying little spray cans. You could also just buy a new front grill of the same color. Try the paint , if it is a fail buy the grill. Look on youtube for painting grills and see how they do it.
 
JavaDave said:
I need to repaint the entire factory grille on the 2014 JK I just bought. Paint code is PW7, bright white.

The grille itself is in excellent shape, but the previous owner let bugs and stuff etch and discolor the finish. I plan on doing a light sanding then spray painting the white basecoat before doing the clear coat.

Based on your experience, any recommendations (Pro or Con) on the various brands?

Of course there's the OEM, but it would take a bunch of those little cans. Having to start and stop multiple cans is a concern.

On Amazon, there's TouchupDirect and Touch Up Express, or Duplicolor at the local auto parts stores.

If there are other quality brands you've had experience with, please let me know where I can get them.
Click to expand...

My local Napa will mix up your color code and put it into rattle cans for you! When painting, prep is everything! Use something like simple green, purple power or straight dawn dish soap with a bug sponge to remove any grease and caked on stuff before you sand anything. Wash it off and dry real good. Be careful sanding, because of the rounded corners, you'll sand right down to the plastic. After everything is sanded, you'll want to spray it with a foaming glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth. This works the best. After its dry, take a tack cloth over it to make sure nothing got left behind. Then you're ready to paint.
 
JeepJeezy said:
My local Napa will mix up your color code and put it into rattle cans for you! When painting, prep is everything! Use something like simple green, purple power or straight dawn dish soap with a bug sponge to remove any grease and caked on stuff before you sand anything. Wash it off and dry real good. Be careful sanding, because of the rounded corners, you'll sand right down to the plastic. After everything is sanded, you'll want to spray it with a foaming glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth. This works the best. After its dry, take a tack cloth over it to make sure nothing got left behind. Then you're ready to paint.
Click to expand...

Thanks! That's really helpful. Never thought about NAPA. I'm going there tomorrow, so will see what they offer.
 
Really interesting replies. Thanks everyone!

I had already searched for new grilles, but the only ones I found were black and would have to be painted. Other than the paint, mine is in perfect shape, so I'll just paint it.

The HVLP sprayer suggestion was new. Kinda got excited about that until I started looking at the various paint types, then at how much trial and error it was going to be to figure out mixing and spray patterns.

I'm going to follow up on the suggested rattle can sources, and will also get a quote for a shop to prep and paint it. However, I like doing it myself if possible.
 
Rattle can lasts about half or less the time than two part and a clear. And you have to strip the rattle can paint before coating with automotive paint. I learned that the hard way. I used a dupli color rattle can that matched my green and a year later had it two part sprayed. The parts I rattled canned flaked and bubbled within two months. Just my experience.
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler JK radiators
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