correct front grill painting?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 850
Likes: 12
From: Shakopee MN
correct front grill painting?
Can someone post a close up picture of the correct painting for a front grill?
I've stripped my black off as all of as it was looking bad. I'm thinking of having it re-chromed and wanted to know how it should be painted.
Is the very front of the egg-crate chrome and the sides of the grate black? That's what it looks like to me but I'd want confirmation. I've seen pics of the egg crate painted all black, or just left all chrome. I'm looking for the correct implementation.
I've stripped my black off as all of as it was looking bad. I'm thinking of having it re-chromed and wanted to know how it should be painted.
Is the very front of the egg-crate chrome and the sides of the grate black? That's what it looks like to me but I'd want confirmation. I've seen pics of the egg crate painted all black, or just left all chrome. I'm looking for the correct implementation.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,678
Likes: 3,129
From: Shamong, NJ
The grills aren't black, but instead they are a dark gray. The rough, frosted area of the grill is the protion that's painted. The front edge of the eggcrates are left chrome, as is the hockey stick shaped molding part of the grill. The edge of the 2 front bumperettes, that are closest to the grill, get the frosted area of them painted gray, also.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 850
Likes: 12
From: Shakopee MN
The grills aren't black, but instead they are a dark gray. The rough, frosted area of the grill is the protion that's painted. The front edge of the eggcrates are left chrome, as is the hockey stick shaped molding part of the grill. The edge of the 2 front bumperettes, that are closest to the grill, get the frosted area of them painted gray, also.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,266
Likes: 4,355
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi SL,
I found that the Zinc Phosphate paint that Eastwood sells is very close to the original. #10281Z
The bottom most row of egg crate doesn't have the chrome exposed; its all painted
In addition, if you look very carefully you'll see there is a groove in the chrome band that runs around the parking lens. Some people call it a 'racetrack'. This race track was painted semi-flat black on the top, and both sides of the 'track' until it got down to the level the last row of egg crate; then it was the same gray as the rest of the grill.
The zinc phosphate paint has some 'texture' and 'sparkle' as the original did.
The center grill had the same painted finish with no chrome showing.
Hope this helps you figure out how far you want to go
Regards,
Alan
PS: If you don't want to go to the trouble...Cast Blast is pretty close too.
I found that the Zinc Phosphate paint that Eastwood sells is very close to the original. #10281Z
The bottom most row of egg crate doesn't have the chrome exposed; its all painted
In addition, if you look very carefully you'll see there is a groove in the chrome band that runs around the parking lens. Some people call it a 'racetrack'. This race track was painted semi-flat black on the top, and both sides of the 'track' until it got down to the level the last row of egg crate; then it was the same gray as the rest of the grill.
The zinc phosphate paint has some 'texture' and 'sparkle' as the original did.
The center grill had the same painted finish with no chrome showing.
Hope this helps you figure out how far you want to go
Regards,
Alan
PS: If you don't want to go to the trouble...Cast Blast is pretty close too.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
A 'cast iron' color of paint is a very close match to the original shade of gray. Also, the center grille is not chrome plated and was all painted a satin black originally. Why it was different than the outer grille pieces, I have no idea.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 850
Likes: 12
From: Shakopee MN
Thanks for some great information!! I checked on the ZP from Eastwood and it's pretty spendy by the time I add in S&H. I'll try and find something close to the ZP at my local shops and go with Satin Black for the middle.
I should have known to search the forum as there was at least one other thread about this same thing. I'm betting almost every topic possible has been covered to some degree on these forums, it's just a matter of finding it that's tough.
I should have known to search the forum as there was at least one other thread about this same thing. I'm betting almost every topic possible has been covered to some degree on these forums, it's just a matter of finding it that's tough.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
That's why I posted the link.
...a pretty black looking dark gray...
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
Grills
look good in the dark gray, just importing a 72 coupe, havent noticed what the colour is, one query, I have noticed that many vettes have a bit of a gap or mis alignment of the front egg crate grills and the hockey stick trims , was there a cover piece to hide the gap or just adjust fit as best you can ?
