Expert: William Forster - 11/23/2006

Question
Hope you can help me. Thank you for your time.  I have as I said a Ford Escort, I am having to replace the grill on this particular car and the one I found in a junk yard is blue unfortunately my car is a pretty green color, so there lies my problem I want to know if this is a practical do-it-yourself project for someone who has a lot of time on their hands or should this be left up to the pros. Also, if this is something I can do I need to know how to get started and what kind of material I need to do this project. Any help would be appreciated.  Kathy

Answer
Hello Kathy! Do you have an air compressor and a paint gun, and the know how to use it? If not, it's not likely I can teach you how to do this in an email. Yes, you might get lucky, and find a spray can with the correct color, but I doubt that you will get a result, or a paint match, you will like. I bet a body shop will be more  than happy to paint your grille for a nominal fee, and it will look great, not half assed. If you go to Yearone.com, look under literature, they have several good instructional books on body repair, including "How to restore your colector car". That will give you a much better idea what it really takes to do body  and paint work. My advice? Pay the couple hundred bucks, and let a pro do it. Remember, you will have to look at it every time you go by the front of the car. Once you attempt a home repair, a body shop may be reluctant to try to straighten out any mess you might make, and insist you buy another grille. No money saved there! Bill