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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: AJMBLAZER on September 15, 2006, 04:38:17 PM

Title: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: AJMBLAZER on September 15, 2006, 04:38:17 PM
I finished the Herculinerin' of the Tracker earlier this week but the grill looks funny.  Didn't bother to bedliner that because I wasn't sure on how I'd prep it and if it was worth it since it can't rust.  Figured some Rustoleum Hammered Black would take care of it.

Since it's plastic is there any prep that should be done beyond sanding and maybe a self etching primer?
Should I get some of the Hammered Black paint for plastic or just use the regular kind I have? ???

I'll get some pics up soon, I promise.
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: Quaddawg on September 15, 2006, 04:51:05 PM
I did... I used a spray on textured type of paint, no primer.

I also cut out the plastic bars, and used some expanded metal. Came out well I think

(http://www.forumsigs.com/users/quaddawg605/grill/grill.jpg)
(http://www.forumsigs.com/users/quaddawg605/grill/grillclose.jpg)
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: AJMBLAZER on September 15, 2006, 05:03:24 PM
Seem to be sticking well?

Nice.

The only mod I did was to pull off the emblem backing plate.  The GEO emblem was gone when I got it.  Just some dirty 3M tape hanging in the wind. :P  When the prior owner's mechanic put the body lift on he screwed up all the mounting points on the grill so the only thing keeping it on the truck is the one little screw next to the emblem. ::)
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: Uncivilized on September 15, 2006, 05:27:41 PM
I painted mine on my white truck too, I used 400 sandpaper, and just sprayed it with flat black, stuck well and nice and smooth. I cut out the tabs for the geo emblem and left out the plastic mesh for a better look.
(http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c180/uncivilized121/After_2.jpg)
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: Quaddawg on September 15, 2006, 05:33:53 PM
I wiped mine down with laquer thinner real quick and sprayed it.

Yep, it's holding just fine, I have even power washed it a few times...  nary a speck has peeled
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: Carnage on September 15, 2006, 05:39:11 PM
before and after


(http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/673000-673999/673055_170_full.jpg)
(http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/673000-673999/673055_172_full.jpg)
(http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/673000-673999/673055_330_full.jpg)

Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: Uncivilized on September 15, 2006, 05:39:53 PM
Mine was good till I ripped it in half backing out if a tight trail that turned out to be unpassable  ::).... maybe if I used a 3rd coat of paint it would have held together.....
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: urbanwheeler on September 16, 2006, 08:47:27 AM
My tracker still has the silver paint with the black grill and windows. It also has this red stripe around the bumpers and black trim. I found out that only the 1989-90 models came with this 8).
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: AJMBLAZER on September 16, 2006, 09:51:33 AM
It's sitting in the garage right all primered up.  I forgot how much I like the primer grey color.  Wish there was an actual paint that finished like that but held up better.

Pizza's done, now to go hit it with the black.
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: Quaddawg on September 16, 2006, 10:38:45 AM
Clear coated primer gray looks pretty damned good 8)
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: AJMBLAZER on September 16, 2006, 11:05:02 AM
I had a buddy in the Marines with a late 60's Nova that was a sleeper.  Rusty rims, mismatched tires (front and rear...shhhhh ;)), no trim, all grey primer, ratty interior...and a built big block under the hood.  Many ricers and people who thought their cars were fast saw his tail lights.
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: JayN on September 16, 2006, 06:05:40 PM
i painted mine, didn't do anything but wiped it off and sprayed some black on it. looked great. i'm not usually to concerned with the looks thoough.
(http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid207/p378f2390bb65ad7a1de46a0d19dd180a/eea72b4f.jpg)
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: AJMBLAZER on September 16, 2006, 07:30:45 PM
Well, it's done and I think it came out pretty good:
(http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/2186000-2186999/2186576_52_full.jpg)
(http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/2186000-2186999/2186576_49_full.jpg)

More pictures are on my CarDomain site.
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: ghd23 on September 16, 2006, 08:14:26 PM
I did mine falt balck along with the airdams below it.
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: jzap on September 19, 2006, 03:42:15 PM
I had to paint mine...

After I whacked the deer, the one I found in the scrap yard was light green, so I just cleaned it up really well, and sprayed it balck.  I also had to cut the "ears" to fit the '96 opening...

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/jzap/P3060317.jpg)

Jim Z
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: hman1991 on September 19, 2006, 06:46:54 PM
is that how much u could paint with a gallon, or did you have some left? did u interior?
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: DAC1138 on March 11, 2007, 09:51:24 PM
I was going to paint my grille and the section above the grill. problem is, i have a brush guard I cant figure out how to get off to get the grille off. so now I have a question for you folks. How to i remove the grille and the small body piece above the grill? the piece above it is the part the has the latch for the hood. it's the peice between the hood and the grill. I'd like to paint this too, but this is the part I need to remove to get the grille guard off to get to the grill to remove.

as stated in my signature, i have a 96 sidekick JX 4 door. should the process be pretty much the same for most geo/suzuki rides?
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: jzap on March 12, 2007, 05:47:44 PM

The header bar above the grill is held on by four (i think) screws that go into the backer that holds the lights and two screws on a brace in the center of the header. 

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/jzap/PB130255.jpg)

Unfortunately, you have to take the grill out to get to the screws that hold the header on.  On a '96 Tracker, the grill is held on by one screw to the top of the center brace and two screws at the bottom of the grill.  You can see all the screws looking at the grill straight on.  (A Kick has two more screws on the "ears" that fit between the fender and the bumper.)

I found it easier to take out the screws at the bottom of the brace.  Once you take all the screws out and unclip the hood latch cable, the header, center brace, and hood latch easily lifts out as a unit.
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: DAC1138 on March 12, 2007, 05:55:15 PM
Thanks for the tips. I found the screws under the hood previously, but after unscrewing them I was still unable to remove the piece. That's probably because I didnt remove the grill with the 1 (or 2) screws. I'll try it all again to see if it all can be removed with the new advice. Thanks.
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: R.Cadett. on March 17, 2007, 04:58:25 PM
so you want it to look like this?    the cirlces in the second photo are two other screws that need to be removed if i can remember correctly not sure if you tried that. let us know how you make out though
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: HotRod on March 17, 2007, 05:53:15 PM
so you want it to look like this?    the cirlces in the second photo are two other screws that need to be removed if i can remember correctly not sure if you tried that. let us know how you make out though
I'm perty sure those two circles are for headlight aiming.
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: R.Cadett. on March 17, 2007, 06:09:23 PM
really? i coulda sworn when i took everything off the front there were two screws or some sort of pins the had to be popped out, but i cant really remember that well so you are probably right.
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: HotRod on March 17, 2007, 07:18:45 PM
This is what is on my 97 4dr
(http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n66/amandaplaywith/Grillcloseup.jpg)
The clips are a PITA to get out and not break.
be carefull
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: Carnage on March 17, 2007, 11:47:54 PM
thats a pretty kewl lookin grill HR
(dont see many of those)

ur right i reckon
both our 96s have no screws on the bottom
those two circles ARE for headlight aiming.

(and those clips ARE a PITA)
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: HotRod on March 18, 2007, 12:04:23 AM
thats a pretty kewl lookin grill HR
(dont see many of those)

thanks, came with the car ;) ;D
So many differant grills avilable.
Geo, GMC, Suzuki, pontiac, 88-99
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: sklope on March 18, 2007, 07:08:03 AM
Not meaning to steal this thread, but I need the clips that hold the grill in place. I busted my grill and want to replace it, but I hate to buy a new grill and then hold in place with tie wraps! Anybody know where I can buy these clips other than the junk yard?
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: HotRod on March 18, 2007, 11:34:21 AM
either a dealership or HAWKS
Title: Re: Anyone painted the grill on their Tracker?
Post by: ghd23 on March 18, 2007, 04:20:05 PM
Before and After.  ;D  ;D  ;D