Here's my Changing-of-the-Grill tale, with many pics (so you can just scroll quickly without having to read my chatter)...
I always felt my Bergantino HT332 chrome grill was too “flashy” for my liking (like my playing, I’m more known for substance than show). So when I commented on a recent thread about a HT322 for sale (For Sale - Very Nice Bergantino HT322 – do yourself a favor and buy it!) and mentioned how I liked the darker grill, the seller PM’d me with his secret…Plasti Dip!
Zbass82 not only sent me directions, he gave me the confidence to tackle it, so I thank him for what follows (it's also a great example of how the Talkbass community shares knowledge and help).
This is the culprit – so shiny, it draws away any little attention this bland bass player could have received.
A few bits of information before I start:
1) I know I’m doing a very simple task here (as opposed to all of you who build complete basses/amps/cabs/etc.). But for me, this was still a bit nerve-wracking.
2) For all you who like your gear kept original, my “mod” is completely reversible! The Plasti Dip peels off, leaving me back where I started.
3) You may not need to change the color of or coat a grill, but it works on other things as easily (most noticeably, car rims and tool handles, based on the Youtube videos I previewed).
4) Yes, I’ve probably voided any warranty (that ship has long sailed).
5) This is the first time I've ever used Plasti Dip, and have no connection to it otherwise.
6) This is best done when your wife is away visiting her sister in California for the week (more on this later).
First step is to pop off the screw “covers” (the little black things) with a tiny flat screwdriver. They hide the screws/plastic washer pieces that hold the grill in place.
Next, take out the screws (rat fur – you can’t avoid it!)
The grill is HEAVY on this cab – 4.4 pounds by itself on my scale, a real solid piece.
While I have the grill off, I have time to lightly brush with a light paint brush and vacuum away the accumulated dust (the tape is to find the screw holes, which disappear into the rat fur – I later used a toothpick to easily locate the holes, so as not to scratch the grill).
I also covered the Bergantino emblem with painter’s tape (the emblem was so well attached, I didn’t want to pull it off, though that was an option).
Set up in a well-ventilated area (or in the basement with a fan and an open window when it’s too cold outside in northern New York). This is where the need for the wife to be visiting her sister comes in – yes, she’d worry for my health painting indoors, but she’d be just as upset if the smell wafted up to the first floor.
Here’s after the first coat. Directions call for light coats of spray (the first can be just 50% coverage), with a 20 minute wait between each coat (each spray takes barely 20-30 seconds).
I used disposable gloves, but probably didn’t need to.
Here’s after 3 coats. I ended up doing 6 coats in total.
After drying over night, it looks great.
Here’s a close-up of the dry Plasti Dip on the grill and emblem.
The painter’s tape came off easily.
Here’s a “before” shot (well, the back that’s still chrome) in direct sunlight…
…and here’s the “after” shot in direct sunlight– now that’s more like it.
Put the screws back in, pop on the plastic covers, and you’re done. The picture at the end shows how great it looks in normal lighting.
The Plasti Dip went on easily, is not too thick to the touch, seems like it will hold up to my lugging this beast around, and is (supposedly) totally reversible. I highly recommend it!
Now, who’s going to try it on a bass body (and create a matching headstock)? If the company came out with a line of Fender colors, they’d sell out!
I always felt my Bergantino HT332 chrome grill was too “flashy” for my liking (like my playing, I’m more known for substance than show). So when I commented on a recent thread about a HT322 for sale (For Sale - Very Nice Bergantino HT322 – do yourself a favor and buy it!) and mentioned how I liked the darker grill, the seller PM’d me with his secret…Plasti Dip!
Zbass82 not only sent me directions, he gave me the confidence to tackle it, so I thank him for what follows (it's also a great example of how the Talkbass community shares knowledge and help).
This is the culprit – so shiny, it draws away any little attention this bland bass player could have received.
A few bits of information before I start:
1) I know I’m doing a very simple task here (as opposed to all of you who build complete basses/amps/cabs/etc.). But for me, this was still a bit nerve-wracking.
2) For all you who like your gear kept original, my “mod” is completely reversible! The Plasti Dip peels off, leaving me back where I started.
3) You may not need to change the color of or coat a grill, but it works on other things as easily (most noticeably, car rims and tool handles, based on the Youtube videos I previewed).
4) Yes, I’ve probably voided any warranty (that ship has long sailed).
5) This is the first time I've ever used Plasti Dip, and have no connection to it otherwise.
6) This is best done when your wife is away visiting her sister in California for the week (more on this later).
First step is to pop off the screw “covers” (the little black things) with a tiny flat screwdriver. They hide the screws/plastic washer pieces that hold the grill in place.
Next, take out the screws (rat fur – you can’t avoid it!)
The grill is HEAVY on this cab – 4.4 pounds by itself on my scale, a real solid piece.
While I have the grill off, I have time to lightly brush with a light paint brush and vacuum away the accumulated dust (the tape is to find the screw holes, which disappear into the rat fur – I later used a toothpick to easily locate the holes, so as not to scratch the grill).
I also covered the Bergantino emblem with painter’s tape (the emblem was so well attached, I didn’t want to pull it off, though that was an option).
Set up in a well-ventilated area (or in the basement with a fan and an open window when it’s too cold outside in northern New York). This is where the need for the wife to be visiting her sister comes in – yes, she’d worry for my health painting indoors, but she’d be just as upset if the smell wafted up to the first floor.
Here’s after the first coat. Directions call for light coats of spray (the first can be just 50% coverage), with a 20 minute wait between each coat (each spray takes barely 20-30 seconds).
I used disposable gloves, but probably didn’t need to.
Here’s after 3 coats. I ended up doing 6 coats in total.
After drying over night, it looks great.
Here’s a close-up of the dry Plasti Dip on the grill and emblem.
The painter’s tape came off easily.
Here’s a “before” shot (well, the back that’s still chrome) in direct sunlight…
…and here’s the “after” shot in direct sunlight– now that’s more like it.
Put the screws back in, pop on the plastic covers, and you’re done. The picture at the end shows how great it looks in normal lighting.
The Plasti Dip went on easily, is not too thick to the touch, seems like it will hold up to my lugging this beast around, and is (supposedly) totally reversible. I highly recommend it!
Now, who’s going to try it on a bass body (and create a matching headstock)? If the company came out with a line of Fender colors, they’d sell out!
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