Vato Loco

I have a spare valence sitting in my room and I was wondering what I should do with it. I was thinking of painting gloss black because it would match my tires, windows, parts of the grill, hood deflector and the stock dark grey valence doesn't really go with anything really. Do you think it would look good on my truck? (Pic in avatar) I got this idea from WT on the forum, he painted his valence a dark green since his rig is green, and I really liked it. I was going to get it painted to match my fenderflares but it was going to cost way too much and I rather spend my money elsewhere. If I do decide to paint it black, how should I prepare the bumper before painting? Should I apply primer or not? 2-3 coats of gloss black and then top it off with 2 coats of clear coat, good or bad? Here are some pics of the before and after from WT's 4Runner.

Thanks

Before


After

Jonathan

I painted my valence black to match the paint, but i'm not really sure how it was done because I had it done at a friend's body shop. I do know that getting a qualified shop to do it is key, because that plastic doesn't hold paint very well and it should be prepped accordingly, and the shop needs to use a flexible paint to conteract cracking and flaking. I would try it if I were you, you'll like it!

Yoter

I painted my grill & valance to match my blue paint job and liked it at first. But lately ive gotten bored with it and am thinking about buying some sand paper,and black spray paint. Its that time, time to start over. Its funny how I get bored with how my Runner looks. I need to stop buying things to alter its appearance though. Time to go low budget.

Vato Loco

What kind of sandpaper would you recommend for the valence?

Fink

Go for it dude...I think it'll look sweet!

Fink

sick4runner

I have a 90 and i went with chrome, it was pretty easy since i just handed it to a chrome shop but as for painting yours the standard body work procedure out of a repair manual would be about right.

WT

Hey I seen that truck in my driveway lol
It was a cheap thing to do yourself and I say if you have a spare laying around that makes it better if you dont like it just take it back off. As for prep I did :
1. A little sanding to get ride of scuff marks and used some good old cleaning solution to make sure it was free of greese ad dirt.
2. Used a plastic promotor primer that helps paint stick to plastic
3. Got a base coat color of choice 2-3 coats
4. Clear coat 2-3 coats

I did it earlier in the summer and its held up great no chips yet.
I know got to get ride of them silly running boards... hmm sliders. Need to talk my brother inlaw into making me a set just need to get him some design info and pictures I guess.
I also considered painting the crome bumpers too but not sure how they would hold up, has anyone there tried that before ?
Vato, have you also considered puttign a set of driving lights in there by cutting them out ? if so good time to do it before painting them up. I thought about doing that mod too, think someone here has put a set of round ones in the factory valance just don't recall who it was. I think that look good.

Vato Loco

Well here are some pics of the bumper painted black. Here's what I did, I sanded it down a bit with very fine sandpaper, 1 coat of primer, and then applied 2 coats of black. I am not sure if I should apply clear coat or not, what do you guys think? I haven't installed the bumper yet since the weather is kinda crappy right now, but I will post pics as soon as the valence is on. Enjoy!

gtaSR5

That looks pretty good. Was that painted using a spray can?

I would apply at least 2 coats of clear coat then color sand it wet with 2000 grit paper. Then buff it with rubbing compound and finally wax it.

Vato Loco

Yeah that using a spray can from dupli-colour, I will post a picture of the can later on.