A little different...subtle changes to the front end

[LVdezertdawg]

I had already had my skid plate line-xed about a month ago after seeing Riku's at the Raptor Round Up. Can you see the other change???? :cactus::cactus::cactus:

 

[BigJ]

Heeeeey now thats kinda nice! Makes good sense, complimenting the blacked out skid.

How'd you pull that off 'dawg?

 

[LVdezertdawg]

J, I ordered a rattle can of the bumper paint using the paint codes from the provided info on the site. MarkT found a company that will put it in the rattle cans and thats what we ended up with. A perfect match with the bumper color. I did not have to use the Matte finish as the color was perfect. 12 light coats, wet sanded with 400 grit after every third coat and finished with 600 grit. I have enough left to do the reflectors on the side mirrors. I have to go order a couple of blanks. Pretty easy considering I got an estimate for $200 at a local shop to just paint the silver part.

 

[BigJ]

Very nice.

Any concerns regarding rock/bug chips? Is that rattle can paint an enamel? Sounds like you're gonna be just fine with 12 coats either way.

 

[LVdezertdawg]

Very nice.

Any concerns regarding rock/bug chips? Is that rattle can paint an enamel? Sounds like you're gonna be just fine with 12 coats either way.

J, The can states that it is a Ford basecoat color but does not use the word enamel on the can. It also states that it is an OEM match guarantee. I always worry about the rock chips, we will find out tomorrow night as Mark and I will be hitting the trails again. Do you think I should spray a clearcoat product on it? I am not a painter so any info will help.

 

[BigJ]

J, The can states that it is a Ford basecoat color but does not use the word enamel on the can. It also states that it is an OEM match guarantee. I always worry about the rock chips, we will find out tomorrow night as Mark and I will be hitting the trails again. Do you think I should spray a clearcoat product on it? I am not a painter so any info will help.

Hmm, I'm not a painter either, but if it were me, yeah I'd probably grab a can of VHT Clear Coat Wheel paint and hit it with a handful of coats. That stuff is crazy strong; its a finishing urethane designed to take the abuse wheels go thru and not chip, crack or tarnish. I'm pretty sure it comes in semigloss or matte to hopefully hit the texture you're looking for too.

This stuff here: http://www.vhtpaint.com/wheelpaint.html

Should be able to find it at your local auto parts store.

 

[MagicMtnDan]

Looks good LV! Painting the trim piece around the tow hooks certainly differentiates your Raptor from other white ones. I like it. Thanks for posting up the pics, process and source info.

 

[TRAPTOR]

It took me a few minutes to figure out what you modded. Now that I see it, it looks GREAT.

Can you post the info about the rattle cans and where to get them? I think this is a mod I'd like to do also.

 

[LVdezertdawg]

Thanks, I like the fact that it looks so natural. http://www.automotivetouchup.com/ they sell it in spray cans for $19.95, Ford - 2010 - F Series - Paint Code UJ - Sterling Grey
(there is another sterling grey that starts with "M"… you want the one coded UJ) MarkT gets all the credit for the find. Good luck and please post pics when you are done.

 

[TRAPTOR]

$19.95 for the can and $9 for shipping. $29 for 1 can of spray paint? Oh my... not gonna happen.

But I do really like the comment about painting out the orange reflectors on the mirrors. The orange there needs to GO. Is there a how-to somewhere that shows the process of removing the reflectors? Or do they just snap in/out?