Poll: Paint side vents black?

[Ayune]

Humor me: Should I paint my side vents black? No practical reason other than to channel the retro FJ60 vibe.

I tried removing the vents from a wrecked black LX but they’re buired too deep in the D pillar and it was pouring rain so I gave up.

Has anyone else done it?

 

[MongooseGA]

Probably not for me but I'd be interested in seeing it. Why not just use plastidip and see how you like it? If not, just peel it off.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

Probably not for me but I'd be interested in seeing it. Why not just use plastidip and see how you like it? If not, just peel it off.

Plasti dip on the mesh will likely be problematic. the stuff likes to build and will be bear to remove from the mesh if it looks odd. I've considered it, never followed through

 

[Exiled]

I did mine with satin black years ago, I think it looks good.

 

[MongooseGA]

Plasti dip on the mesh will likely be problematic. the stuff likes to build and will be bear to remove from the mesh if it looks odd. I've considered it, never followed through

Fair point. Is it accessible from inside the D dillar trim, I guess?

Maybe grab a small swatch of black vinyl and try to lay it over the broader sections, leaving the mesh as-is for a 'peek'. I just feel like painting is going to be a bitch to reverse if OP decides he doesn't like it.

 

[Ayune]

Fair point. Is it accessible from inside the D dillar trim, I guess?

“Accessible” is a stretch. The D pillar is a double layer of sheetmetal with oblique access holes, and there was lots of rear AC ductwork to navigate. Again, with the rain & cold I just gave up and dove into the brake booster instead.

 

[Das Shtig]

I did mine with satin black years ago, I think it looks good.

Would you mind sharing a picture?

 

[sleepycruiser]

How easy/hard are they to take out? I have been considering painting mine as well.

 

[Odyseuss]

I wrapped mine in a carbon fiber vinyl several years ago. I liked it to some extent, but it wasn't perfect so I peeled it off instead of repeating the process on the other side. I would need to remove the vent to get the finished product that I would prefer, but that seems like more work than its worth at the moment.

 

[Beanzermin]

Instead of doing the whole vent I just did the mesh insert. I really like the contrast!

 

[Das Shtig]

Instead of doing the whole vent I just did the mesh insert. I really like the contrast!

View attachment 1895753

How did you paint just the mesh part?

 

[CloudCity]

Instead of doing the whole vent I just did the mesh insert. I really like the contrast!

That looks really good!

Funny, before I started really looking for one of these trucks I was aware of the vent but assumed it was silver or black on cars, but when I went to test drive a rig for the first time I noticed it was color matched and became my second favorite aesthetic on the vehicle after the super cool glow tubes in the running boards (LX).

 

[Beanzermin]

How did you paint just the mesh part?

I had painted the black right before I painted the whole truck. So I was able to spray just the black where the vent goes and clear it. Then I had to tape off what I wanted to stay black and sand the rest of the area (2nd picture). Then I shot the bedliner. But if you wanted to do that on your truck you would just tape off what you didn't want black and paint just the mesh. Make sure you use some scotchbrite to scuff the surface before you paint it. Otherwise it will flake off.

 

[Das Shtig]

I had painted the black right before I painted the whole truck. So I was able to spray just the black where the vent goes and clear it. Then I had to tape off what I wanted to stay black and sand the rest of the area (2nd picture). Then I shot the bedliner. But if you wanted to do that on your truck you would just tape off what you didn't want black and paint just the mesh. Make sure you use some scotchbrite to scuff the surface before you paint it. Otherwise it will flake off.

View attachment 1896398

View attachment 1896400

My concern is the surface beneath the mesh. That will be hard to prep/scuff, no? Not a big deal or ? I think it looks cool and I’m interested for my own truck.