Bed Liner...Where it Doesn't Belong

I know it has only been a few hours since I started this blog, but I have been so thrilled with my new project I had to show it to the world. I discovered that Rustoleum makes a great spray can bedliner. I bought mine at Home Depot and one could probably find it at most auto parts stores. The best thing about this product is that it is very durable and has a great texture, so great in fact that I have lined my front grill, tail gate, side mirrors, and cowls. With all honesty, it is better liner than the Duplicolor product I used on my interior. Here's a pic:

As you may notice, the Jeep letters were moved to sit in the middle of the grill. This isn't necessary but adds a unique look. Here's the run down:

Benefits: Very scratch and ding resistant (the stock grills just takes a beating from road shrapnel)

Cons: I did not use a clear coat before reinstalling the grill. It hasn't happened yet, but I feel it may fade over

          an extended period of time. I highly recommended a spray can of Duplicolor enamel clear coat after

          the lined grill has dried. If you choose not to, you may just have to reapply a year or two later.

How to do it: 

1. Pop that hood, locate the six plastic knobs that are located on top of the grill, and use a flat head screw driver to simply pry them out. Unclip the blinkers, by simply pressing in the tab that connects to the light.
2. Pull the top of the grill forward (away from the Jeep) and tug the bottom of the grill lightly until the clips release. Once removed, the blinkers will basically pop right out.
3. If you want to remove the Jeep letters, you can use a putty knife to slowly lift them from the grill. You can also leave them on to be lined. If you remove them, make sure to keep the foamy tape on the backside of the letters.
4. Sand that puppy with 220 Grit (you can use a lower grit but it may leave little scratch marks that the liner won't fill). Also, I did not sand my down to the bare plastic, I simply roughed up the surfaces until  I could tell I had removed the stock clear coat.
5. Get some acetone, and lightly rub it around to remove any grease, wax, or other junk. I then recommend using a high pressure hose to blast away any dust or dirt.
6. Once dry, find a place where you can prop the grill upright. If you attempt to spray it laying down, you might get little "drips" from the spray can (which will definitely show up when it has dried)
7. Apply a light coat approximately 10 inches away, you can change the texture of the final product by spraying closer or farther away, but when you have started make sure to maintain the same distance throughout. Do not spray it completely with the first coat.
8. Wait 30 minutes for that base coat to dry. Apply a second coat that covers the entirety of the grill, wait 10 minutes and apply one more final coat. At this point you can simply place the removed Jeep letters wherever you like, the wet bed liner makes a great adhesive with the foamy stickers. 
9. After a night of drying in a dry location, you may want to apply a clear coat as mentioned. Be warned, you will not achieve the sheer matte black look with a clear coat applied, but if you want to ensure it can handle the sun then go ahead.
10. Reinstall by inserting the bottom grill clips first. Pop them into place as the top of the grill slides over the holes. Reinsert the 6 plastic clips and you are done.

Notes: This is a great mod that almost anyone can do. I used 2 cans of Rustoleum, costing about $15 from Home Depot. It is located in the paint aisle. Also, my head lights and blinkers are not bed lined, they are plasti-dipped, I do NOT recommend lining these parts.

Well fellow creepers, here is my first hands-on review and I highly recommend it. The total time takes about a day with drying. If you want a unique look, and are getting tired of that dinged up grill, then invest the $15 and do it! Here are some more pics of other bed lined parts:

This is the Synergy Louver Kit with bed liner and the clear coat.

Here is the lined cowls, side mirrors, and"windshield holder things"