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Hi Folks, My husband and mother-n-law want to give me a paint job for the front grill of my Volt for Christmas. I am excited since I have not been able to get past the plasticy front end and think the black on siren red will look great with the chrome. Has anyone else painted the front grill yet?
 

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i used plastic dip on my 2013- did the grill, rims and chevy logos- very pleased with the results
Nice! Very excited about how mine will look. Still haven't figured out exactly how I will handle the smooth front where the chevy emblem is. Lots of ideas and laughs had at our home thinking about different options.
 

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Lots of people without ACC have modded the grill. Not sure about anyone with ACC. The radar for ACC is behind the faux badge. No idea what might or might not interfere but you would no doubt want to be 100% certain that the option you went with wouldn't compromise ACC.
 

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I've been thinking about painting the front grill on my 2014. Just can't decide on a colour.
 

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A 2017 w/ACC could be problematic. Before painting that area by the gold bow tie I'd need to know it wouldn't affect how the ACC's radar works.
 

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When is Chevy going to understand that the grill color is problematic? I've seen tons of posts on how to change the color, none on how good it looks.
 

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When is Chevy going to understand that the grill color is problematic? ...
Wow, really?

... The radar for ACC is behind the faux badge. No idea what might or might not interfere .... wouldn't compromise ACC.
Yo, He's saying you painted over the radome for the radar. Does this concern you at all?
 

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Discussion Starter · #9 ·
Wow, really?

Yo, He's saying you painted over the radome for the radar. Does this concern you at all?
Yep. It is a big concern for me. I won't do it unless I am certain since I would prefer to leave it alone to have ACC. It is great.

I plan to meet with the custom auto body fella this week and see what he knows. If I learn more I will certainly pass it along.

Until then, does anyone know if any paint or mods have been done on any other vehicle with ACC?

Much Obliged
 

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Hi Folks, My husband and mother-n-law want to give me a paint job for the front grill of my Volt for Christmas. I am excited since I have not been able to get past the plasticy front end and think the black on siren red will look great with the chrome. Has anyone else painted the front grill yet?
I have a Siren Red with ACC and plasti dipped the top and bottom grills, but not the chrome trim around the sides and bottoms. I left that for an accent. It does not mess up the ACC or bumper sensors from my experience. However, I did not like the top grill area where the ACC radar is located being black also, so I pealed off the dip, and found it more pleasing to my eye. PM me with your email and I'll send you pictures, then you can decide.

I also black accented my wheels and that really makes them pop. I have a picture showing the front done and the rear unpainted. I did them with paint, not dip.
 

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....I plan to meet with the custom auto body fella this week and see what he knows. ...
Because those guys work with Radar and Radomes all the time, right?

You could send it out to an aviation specialty shop that tests radomes for RF transparency.
Or cover it up with whatever and hope for the best.
Do you have a way to accurately test the ACC before and after?
 

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Because those guys work with Radar and Radomes all the time, right?

You could send it out to an aviation specialty shop that tests radomes for RF transparency.
Or cover it up with whatever and hope for the best.
Do you have a way to accurately test the ACC before and after?
As I work used to work with computational electromagnetics nerds, plastidip and paint won;t have any effect on radar unless there are metal pigments large enough to block the electromagnetic waves. Ever look at a microwave with all the holes in the glass? That's a metal mesh in there. So plastidip shouldn't pose a problem at all
 

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Discussion Starter · #13 ·
I have a Siren Red with ACC and plasti dipped the top and bottom grills, but not the chrome trim around the sides and bottoms. I left that for an accent. It does not mess up the ACC or bumper sensors from my experience. However, I did not like the top grill area where the ACC radar is located being black also, so I pealed off the dip, and found it more pleasing to my eye. PM me with your email and I'll send you pictures, then you can decide.

I also black accented my wheels and that really makes them pop. I have a picture showing the front done and the rear unpainted. I did then with paint, not dip.
Hi SoCalBeach, I tried to PM you and your box is apparently full and I could not send. Definitely excited to see photos. Thanks
Jernigan
 

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Discussion Starter · #14 · (Edited)
Because those guys work with Radar and Radomes all the time, right?

You could send it out to an aviation specialty shop that tests radomes for RF transparency.
Or cover it up with whatever and hope for the best.
Do you have a way to accurately test the ACC before and after?
Hi Norton, This guy is quite amazing and has worked with lots of modifications. If he is clueless then he ain't touchin' my volt.

I don't think any of us are idiots here...we bought Volts right?

All we have are just a few trolls here and there. :rolleyes:
 

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Discussion Starter · #15 ·
As I work used to work with computational electromagnetics nerds, plastidip and paint won;t have any effect on radar unless there are metal pigments large enough to block the electromagnetic waves. Ever look at a microwave with all the holes in the glass? That's a metal mesh in there. So plastidip shouldn't pose a problem at all
Thanks llninja. Everyone should be lucky enough to have computational electromagnetics nerds in their world...Can I borrow yours?
 

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Hi Norton, This guy is quite amazing and has worked with lots of modifications. .....[Not sure about testing it yet. One of the many questions I will have for my fella.]
What I'm saying is for you should be able to test the function of your ACC before and after the paint job.
This is something you have to determine. Can you come up with a safe test plan?


"Your fella" knows about fancy paint and chromium geegas, but maybe not how a Volt's ACC is supposed to work.

, just something to consider.;)
 

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Hi Folks, My husband and mother-n-law want to give me a paint job for the front grill of my Volt for Christmas. I am excited since I have not been able to get past the plasticy front end and think the black on siren red will look great with the chrome. Has anyone else painted the front grill yet?
Sounds like a test is in order, Plastidip the grill. Test before and after the application and let us know :)
 

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Ya'know,, The Depot sells a version of Plastidip in many colors and masking tape. <$25.
All you need is a heated garage and a few hours. Tops.

Hint: Use vinyl electrical tape for smooth curves and masking tape and newpaper for everything else.
Pull the vinyl tape while the plastidip is still slightly soft.
 

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I think grey on white is a pretty good combo so I'm not really interested in plastidip...

anyway, once you plastidip the ACC part, I wonder if you could test the full speed FAB by setting up a bunch of big cardboard boxes with a big picture of a car on it, a la IIHS
 
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