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1965 Grill Refurb Question

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Old Jun 2, 2018 | 07:29 PM
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Default 1965 Grill Refurb Question

My 1965 grill is tired.

Most specifically, the black paint has peeled off in places.

Anybody have experience fixing one?

What gloss or kind of black paint is correct? Mine looks flattish.

Thanks in advance.
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Old Jun 2, 2018 | 10:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Easy Rhino
My 1965 grill is tired.

Most specifically, the black paint has peeled off in places.

Anybody have experience fixing one?

What gloss or kind of black paint is correct? Mine looks flattish.

Thanks in advance.

Try this thread:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-possible.html
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Old Jun 2, 2018 | 11:19 PM
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Originally Posted by SoCalErv
This won't work for a '65, those horizontal features are black. Perhaps the same black that is used on the instrument panel and glovebox surfaces.

Ray
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Old Jun 3, 2018 | 08:59 AM
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Originally Posted by SoCalErv
I saw that thread when I did a search, but it is for a '66/'67 grill.

Rereading it though, it did recommend powder-coating the grill after restoration. I thought about that, but the black in the '65 grill is anodized aluminum.

Originally Posted by rayvaflav
This won't work for a '65, those horizontal features are black. Perhaps the same black that is used on the instrument panel and glovebox surfaces.

Ray
Ray, if I can't figure out a way to replicate the anodized black grill slats, spray paint will likely be my only choice, but I'm not sure that any paint would replicate the right look.

Probably just overthinking this.

Just in case anyone ever finds this thread in a search for the same question.

The NCRS judging guide says that the grill is anodized black - an electrochemical process that requires use of an acid bath with a voltage differential between the anode (grill) and cathode.

However, sine the grill surround is chrome (flash chromes/polished?) and riveted to the black anodized grill slats, re-anodizing the slats would require drilling out and restoring the rivets. IMO, that's more trouble than its worth, particularly when considering that most people cannot tell the difference between black anodization and a good black paint well-applied.

So I'm going to just mask the chrome surround and spray paint the grill slats.

Anybody have any advice, or a good picture, of the level of sheen on original '65 grill slats?

Last edited by Easy Rhino; Jun 3, 2018 at 09:20 AM.
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Old Jun 3, 2018 | 09:47 AM
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I don't remember it being a gloss or flat black, that leaves a satin or semigloss; I would pick satin as it doesn't have a sheen

Bill

Last edited by wmf62; Jun 3, 2018 at 09:53 AM.
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Old Jun 3, 2018 | 09:59 AM
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I've done a few of these and I used oven cleaner to strip the slats IF aircraft paint stripper didn't do the job.

For paint, you can't go wrong with SEM Trim Black, which is also great for interior black surfaces including the column. Beautiful leveling and nice eggshell sheen.
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Old Jun 3, 2018 | 12:36 PM
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Originally Posted by wmf62
I don't remember it being a gloss or flat black, that leaves a satin or semigloss; I would pick satin as it doesn't have a sheen

Bill
Originally Posted by Mike Geary
I've done a few of these and I used oven cleaner to strip the slats IF aircraft paint stripper didn't do the job.

For paint, you can't go wrong with SEM Trim Black, which is also great for interior black surfaces including the column. Beautiful leveling and nice eggshell sheen.
Thanks, guys.
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Old Jun 4, 2018 | 03:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike Geary
I've done a few of these and I used oven cleaner to strip the slats IF aircraft paint stripper didn't do the job.

For paint, you can't go wrong with SEM Trim Black, which is also great for interior black surfaces including the column. Beautiful leveling and nice eggshell sheen.
SEM trim black would probably be your best bet. Just do a good job preping the surface to be sprayed, Spray when ambient
temp. is around 85°, use many light coats and it should come out pretty close to what you're after. Good luck.

Gary

Last edited by Gary's '66; Jun 4, 2018 at 03:42 PM.
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Old Jun 4, 2018 | 05:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Easy Rhino
I saw that thread when I did a search, but it is for a '66/'67 grill.

Rereading it though, it did recommend powder-coating the grill after restoration. I thought about that, but the black in the '65 grill is anodized aluminum.



Ray, if I can't figure out a way to replicate the anodized black grill slats, spray paint will likely be my only choice, but I'm not sure that any paint would replicate the right look.

Probably just overthinking this.

Just in case anyone ever finds this thread in a search for the same question.

The NCRS judging guide says that the grill is anodized black - an electrochemical process that requires use of an acid bath with a voltage differential between the anode (grill) and cathode.

However, sine the grill surround is chrome (flash chromes/polished?) and riveted to the black anodized grill slats, re-anodizing the slats would require drilling out and restoring the rivets. IMO, that's more trouble than its worth, particularly when considering that most people cannot tell the difference between black anodization and a good black paint well-applied.

So I'm going to just mask the chrome surround and spray paint the grill slats.

Anybody have any advice, or a good picture, of the level of sheen on original '65 grill slats?
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2018 | 05:48 PM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by SW Vette
Beautiful! Thanks a bunch.

Just so you know - You have a '65 L76 Air coupe in Santa Monica? Yeah, if that doesn't provoke envy I don't know what does.
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Old Jun 4, 2018 | 08:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Easy Rhino
Beautiful! Thanks a bunch.

Just so you know - You have a '65 L76 Air coupe in Santa Monica? Yeah, if that doesn't provoke envy I don't know what does.
Thanks, Easy.... I think

Seeing some of the garages and car collections in those post-a-picture topics actually makes me feel deprived in comparison - some real fancy setups out there in CF land

Last edited by SW Vette; Jun 4, 2018 at 08:47 PM.
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Old Jun 4, 2018 | 08:51 PM
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Originally Posted by SW Vette

Seeing some of the garages and car collections in those post-a-picture topics actually makes me feel deprived in comparison - some real fancy setups out there in CF land
You got that right.

But I'm still happy to have mine.
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