1. Next, the new sheetmetal...
1. Next, the new sheetmetal was scuffed, using an 800-grit abrasive pad, to rough up the factory e-cote to ensure good adhesion between the parts and the sealer.
2. Finally, all of the new...
2. Finally, all of the new parts were bolted onto the truck, with the exception of the foglights. Once the alignment of everything was verified, the front end was blown apart again for sealing, sanding, and painting.
3. With the parts back inside...
3. With the parts back inside the shop, the last few odds and ends, like the bumper, were scuffed and then cleaned with a tac cloth in preparation for new paint.
4. Metal Asylum relies on...
4. Metal Asylum relies on DuPont's Chroma system for much of its custom work.
5. Adhesion promoter, which...
5. Adhesion promoter, which is difficult to capture on film, is the first coating sprayed on the parts. Although we scuffed all of the parts previously, this step will ensure a good bond between the primer/sealer and the factory e-cote.
6. Next, the sealer was sprayed...
6. Next, the sealer was sprayed onto the parts and then any blemishes were sanded smooth and re-sprayed.
7. And finally, fresh black...
7. And finally, fresh black paint was laid down on everything.
8. Most new Chevys have a...
8. Most new Chevys have a pretty smooth paint surface, so the shop went the extra mile to make sure the new parts were as smooth as the old ones by wet-sanding everything with 1,500-grit paper.
9. The finishing touch was...
9. The finishing touch was a quick cut and buff to remove any light sanding marks, which will give the paint an excellent shine.
10. The front end of the truck...
10. The front end of the truck was then reassembled, and the new grille received the coveted Cadillac emblem right where everyone can see it.
11. The hood also received...
11. The hood also received the slick chrome Caddy trim along its front edge.
12. And last but certainly...
12. And last but certainly not least, the new fog lamps were bolted into place in the lower bumper valance.
The Good
*The Escalade headlights, bumper, grille, and fenders look way better thanthe stock Chevy HD pieces.
*Instant baller status, thanks to the Caddy emblem on the new grille.
* No more lame-ass fender flares that don't match the bed sides of the dualie. This ain't no off-road truck, yo!
The Bad
* You're going to lose that muscular-looking hood that came stock onyour HD truck.
* Your wallet will be a lot skinnierthan it used to be.
* If your truck is an HD model, this mod will require three days of work and a good custom shop like Metal Asylum Kustoms will charge you $2,800 for the labor and paintwork. If you own a non-HD truck, thensubtract one day and plan on dropping $2,500 to have the job done right.