Got some stuff finished, 2 tone exterior now

[davesexplorer]

After getting my daystar lift installed I figured why not.. so I "two-toned" the expy, making all the lower panels a nice black color, and getting rid of the chrome "U" on the grille, painting it a like colored gray "hammer finish" using krylon fusion.

I did sand the parts a bit first just to help adhesion, especially the chrome piece in front.

Here's some pics:

Before:

After: (with daystar lift F&R, paint, window visors, taillight covers and front end cover)

Also finished the subwoofer box (amp rack will have to wait till I have fiberglassin time)

Those are two 18" Fi Audio BTL full optioned subs w/ 2 Kicker KX2500.1 amps.

 

[ELVATO]

What grit did you use to sand?

And you used the Krylon Black paint for plastic? I've been wanting to do it with my Expy, but don't know how it will look with a white Expedition.

 

[davesexplorer]

I used 600 grit sandpaper I believe, it's what I had at the house leftover from another project, didn't really take any texture off but scored it enough to promote adhesion I guess.

 

[XLTman]

hey dave nice expedition you got there how much did your daystar lift cost altogether? thanks

 

[davesexplorer]

I got the daystar lift for $235 + shipping from ebay.

 

[davesexplorer]

Thought I'd update:

American Racing 18x9 Rims, 285/65 BFG AT's, No rubbing issues at all. Nothing else yet, sinking too much money into this right now

 

[jlw0211]

what Daystar lift did you use? 2inch pucks? Was it pain in the ass?

 

[ELVATO]

I also painted the lower part of mine black.

Originally, it was gray (the ones found on the XLT). Painted it black, and now it matches very nicely with the tint I did in the front.

I'll post a picture once I clean it up again

 

[Remo]

Did you guys use clearcoat over the black paint? Let me know how it holds up...I'm going to be painting my valance to match in the spring/summer...thanks

 

[bloodzero]

That's one of the few Expo's I've seen that looks good lifted.

 

[davesexplorer]

For the lift, after breaking a spring compressor tool (it was a cheapie I guess) I took the truck to the tire shop and got them to help install it... a pain in the butt if you ask me.

The paint holds up pretty good, but if you decide to actually off-road.. it will scratch. Not really the paint's fault, but while playing around, I had a tree branch or stick dig into the one plastic panel through the black paint - showing the original gray. It's an easy fix though, I just touched it up today.

If you dont want to risk surface scratches unearthing the gray underneath, you could do several coats I suppose and a clearcoat, but I didn't want to spend that kind of money.

Black Westin brush guard and fender flares ordered too.
Thx for the comments.

 

[ELVATO]

Here's my little contribution.



I think it contrasts really nicely with the white. The grille is also painted black.

No clearcoat was used on it. Krylon plastic spray paint, satin black (as opposed to the shiny black cap.)

My hitch, and a lot of the underbody frame is painted with Rust Olem spray paint. The muffler is painted with high temp black spray paint.

 

[Remo]

Great looking trucks, guys, and thanks for the help.

 

[davesexplorer]

that is a good look! Much better than faded gray.

 

[AvroAero]

Really nice! have any old pics Elvato?

 

[ELVATO]

Older picture. No tint. My trim was actually one of the ones that wasn't fading

 

[AvroAero]

I've never seen a white one with tan trim. But there aren't many here. Looks pretty good to start too actually.

You painted the runners to?

 

[ELVATO]

The running boards? Yea, but they took a slightly different tone of black. I guess it's because they were black to begin with.

The ones with the tan are the Eddie Bauers, right?

 

[AvroAero]

I don't know, its your truck isn't it?
I assumed all XLTs came with black trim.

 

[ELVATO]

Oh, most XLs and XLTs that I've seen come with the gray that you see in the "before/old" picture (it came out a little lighter because of the bright sun). Sometimes the gray is darker if the Expy is dark blue or black. I don't think I've seen any with a black trim.

The Eddie Bauer's usually have a glossy tan trim. The Limiteds have a glossly color matching trim.

I have an XLT.

Differences:
XLT

Eddie Bauer

Limited

Just want to clear this up