Spray Painted my exhaust tips

[ducktapeonmydesk]

I believe I used 320 grit, but it doesn’t have to be exact. You just need to scratch them up so the paint will adhere. I then blew them off and rubbed them down with alcohol. VHT says to wait 10 minutes in between each coat so that’s what I did and 30 minutes before applying the clearcoat after the final coat of color. The next day, I rubbed them down with zero steel wool and some polishing compound, then followed up with some ceramic coat wax. The whole process only took a couple of hours. The longest part was making sure everything was masked off, and that took probably an hour and a half because I didn’t want any overspray anywhere.

Thank you!

If you had to do it again, would unbolt and remove them or mask everything off again?

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[Bigmess]

Thank you!

If you had to do it again, would unbolt and remove them or mask everything off again?

I would definitely mask everything, it looked like more work to unbolt and remove, then when you reinstall it may be hard to get back in without scratching it up. It’s not that bad to mask it off, but I can understand if you wanted to remove as well. Good luck!

 

[805 Ranger Raptor]

That’s how it should have came from the factory with black tips

 

[Kidbullets]

Repeated the process as described and everything turned out perfectly .... but ... watch out for taking that tape off too early. I got impatient and took off the tape and a piece of it touched the right exhaust tip and pulled a small amount of paint off. It's almost impossible to notice, but of course I can't stop kicking myself for taking everything off too soon. I only waited 45 minutes after the last coat. Should have waited a few hours and been more careful.

Really looks great though. Very happy with the final look.

How’s this holding up.?

 

[miniR]

How’s this holding up.?

I ask as well, any updates would be appreciated, I’m interested in how well the paint is holding up, any issues?
Thanks

 

[miniR]

I painted mine today, and I’m extremely pleased with the new look. They look outstanding in black, whole different aesthetic now that they blend with the trim, graphics, bumper, tires, wheels, etc.
I don‘t understand why they are not rolling off the assembly line this way, my previous F-150 Raptor had black tips, looked great.
If you’re on the fence, get off and paint them, you’ll truly be happy with the outcome.

 

[RaptrJr]

I painted mine today, and I’m extremely pleased with the new look. They look outstanding in black, whole different aesthetic now that they blend with the trim, graphics, bumper, tires, wheels, etc.
I don‘t understand why they are not rolling off the assembly line this way, my previous F-150 Raptor had black tips, looked great.
If you’re on the fence, get off and paint them, you’ll truly be happy with the outcome.

Did you pull the the tips down? I want to paint mine I've just been lazy not wanting to pull the exhaust down.

 

[Kidbullets]

Looks good. I’m going to do mine as well. Did you use the same product and process as the original poster?

 

[miniR]

Did you pull the the tips down? I want to paint mine I've just been lazy not wanting to pull the exhaust down.

I did, just unbolted the rear exhaust hangar on each side, easy to do. Then block them in place, small block of wood works.

 

[miniR]

Looks good. I’m going to do mine as well. Did you use the same product and process as the original poster?

Exactly as he did it. I’d wait 24 hrs after the last coat of clear before polishing, mine were still a little tacky in the morning.

 

[Kidbullets]

Nice! Thanks for the info.

 

[miniR]

Nice! Thanks for the info.

You’re welcome, you’ll love the look.
It’s the one aesthetic detail that just didn’t make sense.

 

[jb24003]

Just wanted to thank @Bigmess and @stlscott for their thorough and helpful instructions on spray painting the exhaust tips. Was really easy, but I would have screwed it up without their details and tips. Just a huge difference in how it looks - thank you both!!

 

[Fawnbuster]

If they hold up, I'll be very happy. Imo they turned out great. That was one of the few things I hated about the truck were the tips, it didn't match anything on the truck. I did some light sanding and 3 coats of vht flame then 3 coats of vht flame clear. Used it on my f150 and 3 years later there isn't a chip so fingers crossed.

They look awesome! And for the cost of paint vs a bolt on item they can be repainted often. This mods on my list!

 

[Fawnbuster]

I believe I used 320 grit, but it doesn’t have to be exact. You just need to scratch them up so the paint will adhere. I then blew them off and rubbed them down with alcohol. VHT says to wait 10 minutes in between each coat so that’s what I did and 30 minutes before applying the clearcoat after the final coat of color. The next day, I rubbed them down with zero steel wool and some polishing compound, then followed up with some ceramic coat wax. The whole process only took a couple of hours. The longest part was making sure everything was masked off, and that took probably an hour and a half because I didn’t want any overspray anywhere.

Just curious, why the steel wool and polish? Did the clear end up too glossy?

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