Factory original paint??!! Even the heads of the screws are still painted. Do you keep that thing in a nitrogen filled bag? [Outstanding.] 
Paint for '70 side grills
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: San Bruno CA
Paint for '70 side grills
Can anyone verify for me how the side grills of my '70 should be painted? I believe they should be 100% body color EXCEPT the horizontal ribs, which should be unpainted.
Thanks,
Bob
Thanks,
Bob
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 91
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
I have original photos from GM press releases and two sets of side grills for 70 (extra set I purchased off a 70 in mint original paint). All have both horizontal and vertical are chrome. I do know from my research, 70 was a wierd year due to strike and short production. Many parts are based upon early or late production models for 1970. Looks good either way.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
I thought only the horizontal edges and the first verticle edge were chrome and the rest was body color.
SEMPER FI--1970 Dave
SEMPER FI--1970 Dave
Last edited by 1970 Dave; Mar 12, 2008 at 12:36 PM. Reason: adjusted monitor and saw what was stated
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 1,395
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Mine is a June built car and only the horizontal edges and the first vertical edge are chrome. It's my understanding that '71 and up do have a slight different profile and that there are vertical chrome edges exposed.
I have never seen a '70 with a vertical chrome edge style grill. Maybe late '70 production may have them.
As for painting the grills, I've heard that a razor blade works well to expose the chrome edge, especially before the paint sets up too much.
The factory paint job is very crude. Looks like they used a dull paint scraper to expose the chrome edge. The chrome is not scratched, however the paint edge is very ragged.
If you want some close up pictures, let me know and I'll take a few.
Regards, Barry
I have never seen a '70 with a vertical chrome edge style grill. Maybe late '70 production may have them.
As for painting the grills, I've heard that a razor blade works well to expose the chrome edge, especially before the paint sets up too much.
The factory paint job is very crude. Looks like they used a dull paint scraper to expose the chrome edge. The chrome is not scratched, however the paint edge is very ragged.
If you want some close up pictures, let me know and I'll take a few.
Regards, Barry
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Am I correct in understanding some of the 1970 side gills came from the factory all body color and no chrome or did they get painted over during a repaint because the taping off of the chrome is a large PITA/
SEMPER FI--1970 Dave
SEMPER FI--1970 Dave
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 1,395
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
It's kept inside under a car cover when not in use. I think the car cover has been the reason the paint has lasted as long as it has.
Barry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 1,395
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Generally the chrome edge is exposed.
I have never heard what process the plant used, masking off, or scraped off after being painted.
Barry
