Blue Ribbon 4x4 Build Thread

Still has the sealer coat. I’m gonna do the underside first all the way through, then the fun will begin.

 

Underside prepped. What a PIA with all those contours.

 

Matte black down……now the fun begins.

 

Well the matte black underside just screamed “replacement primer hood” to me. Why not use what I’ve been practicing and have in the shop anyway? Candy blue pearl over black.

 

Ok. We’re going for it. Another decision to make though, of course. For the center insert for the grille- I’m thinking of giving it the blue candy over black on just the surround of the mesh. Then leaving the mesh the matte plastic black, but I’m wondering if it looks cleaner to just leave the whole insert matte black.

 

Use the flat black as contrast to make the grille surround pop! I can't wait to see this!!

 

This dang grille seems to have been a long back and forth for years on whether to paint it at all. I always end up leaving it alone. It was actually @GODZILLA ’s comment that pushed me over the ledge. I’ll probably end up changing it again down the line anyway.

 

Oh sure, blame the giant radioactive lizard. He doesn't have feelings anyway.

 

Consider it a compliment. Snapped me out of being indecisive.

 

Rigged up for spray. Adhesion promoter and sealer down.

 

In color! Clear up next!

 

Two coats. Needs one more coat. Tough to get a picture

 

Looks so good! I can't wait to see it in the sun and installed!!

 

Thanks! Still gotta flow coat!

 

Welp. You know those full disclosure posts? This is one of them. My clear coat came out hazy/cloudy. A result of too much clear, too fast. And probably the hot temperature played a part. So I get to start over. I’m wet sanding down with 400 and I’ll spray again tomorrow or even Saturday morning. The wife leaves early tomorrow morning, so I may pop up early and get it done. It’s tough to get a picture of the haze. But you can get an idea of it if you zoom in to that pic.

 

Dude, this is going to look incredible when it's Geno-approved! It already looks deep!

 

It's crazy that you can sand the clear only, have it look soooo scuffed, yet when you hit it with new clear coats it will go back to crystal clear.

Can't wait!

 

Thanks! I’ll try and try again.

 

Right! But after washing these down, I can still see the foggy clear. So they’ll have to get color and clear.

 

Dang....

 

I’m glad I learned this lesson on the grille. If this happened on the hood, I wouldn’t have enough paint to fix this mistake and still get the grille done.

 

We’re on our way.