Better than painting your grille, or side mirrors, for that matter, use a
product called Forever Black.

Obtainable from Rocky Mountain Motorworks, it comes in a shoe polish-type
applicator. Works quite well. Directions on the package suggest 2
applications for faded plastic, but I had one Vanagon grille that actually
needed 4 coats to bring it back to a nice black. Seems to hold up well - I
had used Forever Black on this particular grill about 13 months ago - still
looks fine.

Can also be used on black rubber parts.

Good luck.

Michael J Vickey

the current VW collection:
84 Vanagon Wlfsbrg blue (my parts vehicle)
85 DblCab Pickup lt gray
87 Vanagon Syncro GL Wolfram gray
87 Vanagon Syncro GL dove blue
88 DblCab Pickup Tornado red
90 DblCab Pickup navy blue
90 DblCab Pickup Syncro black
91 Vanagon Camper GL orly blue
93 Eurovan MV Tornado red
95 Eurovan Camper white