Just wanting some opinion on my newly color matched grill. ie, all one color cool, should I have painted the Bowtie a different color, or you just don't like it at all.

Maybe a little more color on the bowtie, other than that i kinda like it that way too.
It's kind of a stealthy look to it - I'd be worried i was speeding you came up behind me honestly.

Just wanting some opinion on my newly color matched grill. ie, all one color cool, should I have painted the Bowtie a different color, or you just don't like it at all.
Looks sweet. I wonder what (and if they make one) a black chrome bow tie would look like on there.

I like it but the the bowtie needs to be a different color IMO.

thanks for the opinions guys. i would like to paint the bumber also, but it might be to much blue.

I like it. Bowtie being a different color would be cool, but it looks kinda cool being dark like that too.

thanks for the opinions guys. i would like to paint the bumber also, but it might be to much blue.

Looks good. I'm considering painting the grill and bumper myself but can decide what color to use on the bowtie.

BTW- where do live at Ft Drum? My kids are on Gale St.

i work on drum, but i live in watertown. also unit453 is a good friend of mine since 2000.

Looks good. I'm considering painting the grill and bumper myself but can decide what color to use on the bowtie.

BTW- where do live at Ft Drum? My kids are on Gale St.

Gale st is in the city of Watertown, not on Ft Drum.

OUTSTANDING!!!! I would not change it at all, the dark bowtie is perfect. I would love to do the same to mine, if its not to much trouble could you let me know where you had it done? I,m about an hour and a half south of you on Onieda Lake.

The same guy did mine black as well. He's a friend that paints and does body work for FX Caprara here in the north country. Its $50 to do the grill. Let one of us know and I'll square it away for you.

i got it done from a guy here in watertown that does body work for fx caperra. get with unit453 for more info. the same guy that painted mine did his also.

I wonder how my truck would look with an all flat black grille. Anyone good with photoshop?

Gale st is in the city of Watertown, not on Ft Drum.

Yeah, I just figured the way everyone talks that they just equate Ft Drum and Watertown together. I'll be up there in February. Sorry for the thread highjack. :D

Maybe a 1/4" red border around the bowtie like the 454ss used to be.

Yeah, I just figured the way everyone talks that they just equate Ft Drum and Watertown together. I'll be up there in February. Sorry for the thread highjack. :D


Thats because if Ft Drum closed, Watertown would shrivel up and die.

February? Let us know and we'll hook up.

I assume you're flying into Syracuse....Do you need a ride from the airport?

We can grab a drink or something...

Maybe a 1/4" red border around the bowtie like the 454ss used to be.

That would be cool. I could add red and silver to match my hood decals.

I went with the billet bowtie

Red Grill Billet Bowtie (http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r271/32dgrz/?action=view&current=truck002.jpg)

I will be doing mine but I would like the SS look with the mesh grill. Where can you find them ?

GM parts direct maybe? It might be a bit expensive though.

I say have it painted. It would be a million times cheaper.

Thats because if Ft Drum closed, Watertown would shrivel up and die.

February? Let us know and we'll hook up.

I assume you're flying into Syracuse....Do you need a ride from the airport?

We can grab a drink or something...

That would be cool. Not sure if I'm driving or flying yet. Depends on the business situation at the time. I was actually considering driving and take a week to do it so I can stop and visit with friends on the way.

That would be cool. Not sure if I'm driving or flying yet. Depends on the business situation at the time. I was actually considering driving and take a week to do it so I can stop and visit with friends on the way.

Oooff....Thats a hike.

I did it from Ft Polk, Louisiana last september.

If you do, stop at the Brewery Tap, downtown Houston by the Speghetti Wharehouse, and grab me a "Hefe" on tap....

Funny, but my first thought was a red bowtie too. I think it would look cool.

And, get that "hefe" with a slice of lemon.

i like any grills that are painted. they just look so much better then stock unless your the type that likes alot of chrome. i am not worried about the hyjack dangerousduramax and nick or i wouldnt mind picking you up. we will make it a small duramax day. there is another guy here from the watertown area.

Oooff....Thats a hike.

I did it from Ft Polk, Louisiana last september.

If you do, stop at the Brewery Tap, downtown Houston by the Speghetti Wharehouse, and grab me a "Hefe" on tap....

:lol: I ocassionally have Friday client meetings there if we're not on the golf course. :)

That cute brunette still work there?

That cute brunette still work there?

Which one? :D There are two that I know of and they're both cute. One is early 20's and the other one looks more my age and has a Cindy Crawford look.

The early 20's one. She has been there for years. Since 2000 that I can remember. She had a nice juice a$$.

thats cool. one for me and one for nick, well maybe both for me, nick you can stay at home.

The early 20's one. She has been there for years. Since 2000 that I can remember. She had a nice juice a$$.

I'LL SAY...:cool:

thats cool. one for me and one for nick, well maybe both for me, nick you can stay at home.

You cant hog the ball all to yourself. Ya gotta let the other kids on the block play. ;)


So did you guys check into power coating and the cost?

never thought about powder coating, but definitly the cost will be more. being here in small watertown i doubt that someone does that here.

Think I'm going to check into some powder coaters in Houston and start comparing cost vs improvement. I was thinking of doing the door handles, fender flares, and grill. If they cant convince me that the cost is worth it over painting then I'll just get them painted. Also, has anyone tryed fitting a painted Silverado SS front bumper on our HD's?

Looks MEAN......I love it.

I just checked on powder coating.

Powder coating is waaaaay cheaper than painting. The only problem is that the guy that we use dosent have an oven large enough for a bumper or anything. It costs less than $8 for a half gallon of powder coat. I think I made my decision based on hearing this. An oven costs about 30 grand large enough to fit a car frame into. He can do individual wheels though.

I just checked on powder coating.

Powder coating is waaaaay cheaper than painting. The only problem is that the guy that we use dosent have an oven large enough for a bumper or anything. It costs less than $8 for a half gallon of powder coat. I think I made my decision based on hearing this. An oven costs about 30 grand large enough to fit a car frame into. He can do individual wheels though.


Yeah, I've been told by a friend of mine who owns a body shop that the cost of powder coating will usually depend on the equipment that the shop invested in. If they arent equipped to do large project they typically dont charge as much. Heck, maybe I need to look at getting into the power coating business. :D

Maybe a 1/4" red border around the bowtie like the 454ss used to be.
That would defintley be the S***!!!

Looks good steve...but i would paint the bow tie so it pops a little more...or maybe just have it outlined in silver...sometimes in the next few weeks i am going to color match my lower valance...i'll let ya know how it turns out..

Looks good, now you need to get rid of that chrome on the bumper...

yeah i am thinking about it, but it would definitly cost more then 50 dollars.

Steve what color is your truck...i forget..looks black in your avatar...but if i remember correctly its like a dark blue...

yeah its the dark metallic blue

Sweet thanks...ever think about having the bull bar color matched...that might look neat

i think it might be to much blue then, i like the blue/blk look.

steath look is B*t**n

Looks good! If I end up getting an 800 D/A instead of a 900 that's what I want to do.

Thanks for the comments and opinions guys.

Looks great. What kind of prep was done before painting? I have asked body shops in my area (Northern Jersey) and they say it needs to be stripped of the chrome first ie. sandblasted or sanded. Does anyone know if and how this can be done and is it required?

Looks sweet and sleek all one dark color. I do like it...

Looks sweet and sleek all one dark color. I do like it...
:exactly: USA-1

thats a good question. i would have to imagine it would have to be stripped down.

Would you be able to find out from the body shop that you had the work done at? I am real interested in doing the same to my black dually.

i will check and get back with you.

Pretty sure they sand blast it before painting.

Idk about sand blasting...maybe sanding...but imo sandblasting would be to abrasive

I think it looks bad ***! I want mine done too!

Please find out what they did to it to prep it.

according to guy that i got my grill painted he uses red scotch pad to strip, acid etch primer, your base, color you want, then clear. he also said that bumpers are not a very good idea. you would have to completely strip the chrome off to get a good base. if you painted over the chrome eventually it would chip then the moisture would just eat away at the paint. this guy said he will do grills for $50, the plastic mirrors that we all mainly have on our trucks he can also color match for $50 a mirror. anything plastic on our trucks or cars he can paint. if anyone would like his number just PM me and i will give it to you. i hope this answers all your questions.

Nope, definitely don't like it! Needs at least a bit of chrome; maybe the bowtie. Just too stark in all black.
My $.02 (;

His is actually blue. Mine is black with a silver bow tie.

I like it a lot. I definitely like either black or body color for the grille! I'm not a big fan of chrome; too much chrome makes them look too much like a "pimpmobile".

I like the bowtie like it is; the less conspicuous the better. ):h

i like the stelthy look also thats why i got it like that and so it doenst look exactly like nicks