Learning About Auto Service Procedures

If you accidentally hit a deer with your truck and paint has chipped from the metal grill that is secured to the front of your vehicle and flecks of paint have chipped from the metal's surface, clean the grill and remove chipped paint by completing the repair steps below. Sand the grill's surface and apply primer and paint that is designed for use on metal when you have finished to complete the repair project.

Materials

• electric drill
• automotive detergent
• bucket
• water hose
• sponge
• stiff-bristled brush
• plastic paint chipper
• hand sander
• fine sandpaper
• towels
• tarp
• workbench
• spray primer (designed for use on metal)
• spray paint (designed for use on metal)

Remove The Grill And Clean And Sand It

Park your car on a level part of your property. Inspect the grill and use an electric drill to remove hardware that is holding the grill in place. Place the grill on a waterproof surface. Use a soapy sponge or stiff-bristled scrub brush to clean each side of the grill. If fur and debris are stuck to the front of your vehicle, clean surfaces with either hand tool before using a water hose to rinse the grill and vehicle off. Use a plastic paint chipper to remove flecks of paint that have loosened from the grill's surface.

While gripping the chipper's handle with one hand, use the edge of the tool to remove chipped paint. Moisten a piece of fine grit sandpaper after securing the paper to a hand sander. Move the sander across the grill's surface to eliminate rough spots where paint was recently removed. The moist paper will help the sander glide across the metal and will prevent the grill from becoming scratched. Use a towel to dry both sides of the grill. 

Apply Primer And Paint That Is Designed For Metal

Lay a tarp across a workbench. Place the grill in the center of the tarp-covered surface so that the front of the grill is facing upward. Spray a coat of automotive primer across the portion of the grill that was recently cleaned and sanded. Allow the primer to dry before adding more primer on top of the first coat. Apply a coat of spray paint over the primer.

After the paint has dried, inspect the grill's surface to determine if the fresh paint matches the paint that surrounds it. If the paint color isn't dark enough, add another coat of paint to the grill. After the paint dries, line the grill up across the front of your truck. Insert hardware pieces and use an electric drill to tighten them.