71 Corvette Front Grill Paint
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2013
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71 Corvette Front Grill Paint
I am going to be repainting my 71 front grills. The ones with the chrome on them. I am trying to find out how they were and are supposed to be painted. On the grill part, where it is chromed, how far does the chrome go and how much is painted? If you dont know what I am saying, the part that is on the side of the chromed grill, is it painted or chromed? I am not sure if this makes sense but I tried! If any of you have detailed pics of ones done CORRECTLY, or even better, good pics of NOS ones, that would be great if you could post or send them to me!
Thanks for all your help!
Thanks for all your help!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
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From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Hi
I masked and painted mine with a satin black then used a razor blade to uncover the top of each blade and am very happy with the look.
Coverered in my 71 thread here >> http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ourney-22.html
The color should be be more a grey fleck but I am sure someone like Alan can show exactly what it looks like
I masked and painted mine with a satin black then used a razor blade to uncover the top of each blade and am very happy with the look.
Coverered in my 71 thread here >> http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ourney-22.html
The color should be be more a grey fleck but I am sure someone like Alan can show exactly what it looks like
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
Also be aware of the semi-gloss (or 'satin') black paint in the recessed area around the parking lights. Best to do this with a small brush. Just spray some rattle can paint into the cap and dip brush in to get some paint. Way too much trouble to mask for that task.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
Dupli-Color "cast iron" colored Engine Enamel is very close to the original color. It may not be adequate for the folks having their cars "judged", but it's close enough for us 'everyday' folks. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 912
Likes: 47
From: Kansas City MO
Just found this thread...
Went and bought a can of the Dupli-Color DE1651 "Cast Coat Iron" as 7T1vette suggested and matched it to my center grill. I would agree that it looks pretty darn close.
I did however order some of the Eastwood Eastwood Zinc Phosphate 10281Z that Alan recommended. Once I get that in, I will spray a couple of test pieces with each of the two paints and then decide which one to paint the grills with. I will try to post some photos of the differences between the two, but it will probably be a few weeks from now by the time the Eastwood paint arrives and I get the motivation to spray everything.
Thanks so much for those of you that have contributed to this thread as it was very helpful in trying to figure out what paint to use!
Went and bought a can of the Dupli-Color DE1651 "Cast Coat Iron" as 7T1vette suggested and matched it to my center grill. I would agree that it looks pretty darn close.
I did however order some of the Eastwood Eastwood Zinc Phosphate 10281Z that Alan recommended. Once I get that in, I will spray a couple of test pieces with each of the two paints and then decide which one to paint the grills with. I will try to post some photos of the differences between the two, but it will probably be a few weeks from now by the time the Eastwood paint arrives and I get the motivation to spray everything.
Thanks so much for those of you that have contributed to this thread as it was very helpful in trying to figure out what paint to use!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 912
Likes: 47
From: Kansas City MO
Ok, so I got a little ambitious tonight. Taped up the grill and sandblasted the outer sides, leaving the center part alone so as to preserve the factory finish. I then taped it up and sprayed the right side with the Dupli-Color DE1651 "Cast Coat Iron" paint. From matching the cap of the can to the factory finish, it looked pretty darn close. However upon spraying, you can see for sure that it does not match. Quite a bit lighter than the factory finish. I do not have the Eastwood Zinc Phosphate 10281Z paint yet, but when it arrives, I will spray the left side and see how that matches. I will post again when done. Enjoy~
Last edited by spdrcr29; Feb 16, 2014 at 09:09 PM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
The factory color for that center grille is definitely a "flat" paint, rather than the semi-gloss Dupli-color paint. Depending on the lighting, that cast-iron color paint can look light or dark, because of reflections that you won't get with a flat paint. But, I'm not certain that the center grille section was painted with the same paint as that used to trim the chrome portion. I believe that the chrome area paint was a semi-flat or semi-gloss type, while the center grille is definitely FLAT.
But, I have yet to run across a flat med-to-dark gray color paint. I do look forward to seeing your results from the Eastwood paint. Always glad to learn of 'better' choices.
But, I have yet to run across a flat med-to-dark gray color paint. I do look forward to seeing your results from the Eastwood paint. Always glad to learn of 'better' choices.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Feb 17, 2014 at 09:08 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 912
Likes: 47
From: Kansas City MO
Received the Eastwood Zinc Phosphate Paint #10281Z today. Sprayed the left half of the grill. It came out well and it was a much closer match vs. the Dupli-Color DE1651 Cast Coat Iron Paint. However, depending on how you tilt the grill in the light, it looks Black and when tilted in other ways, it looks like it is Charcoal Grey.
I know that the center portion of the grill that was not sandblasted is old and faded, but the Zinc Phosphate in my eyes is still not a perfect match (Yes, I am retentive). I was looking at the Eastwood website again tonight and saw a Charcoal Grey Wheel Paint #10003 that I am considering on purchasing to see if it will match any closer. I may also look around locally to see if I can come up with anything else. If not, I will probably stick with the Zinc Phosphate...
I know that the center portion of the grill that was not sandblasted is old and faded, but the Zinc Phosphate in my eyes is still not a perfect match (Yes, I am retentive). I was looking at the Eastwood website again tonight and saw a Charcoal Grey Wheel Paint #10003 that I am considering on purchasing to see if it will match any closer. I may also look around locally to see if I can come up with anything else. If not, I will probably stick with the Zinc Phosphate...
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
You have to consider the effect of weather and aging on the appearance of a 40 year-old painted part. I think that Eastwood zinc paint is about as close as it gets (without having access to the exact factory paint).
With that center grille positioned as it was from the factory, it's kind of a moot point...as you can't really see that center grille well with it being inset so far. I actually extended the mounts to that center grille so that it would form a complete grille (since I didn't need a front license plate). That's why I've used the same paint for the side grille trim and the center grille section.
With that center grille positioned as it was from the factory, it's kind of a moot point...as you can't really see that center grille well with it being inset so far. I actually extended the mounts to that center grille so that it would form a complete grille (since I didn't need a front license plate). That's why I've used the same paint for the side grille trim and the center grille section.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Feb 22, 2014 at 06:05 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
The 'rougher' surface is merely the flat aspect of the paint. There is no surface texture, color, or sheen difference between the center grille and the side grille egg crates portions on my parts.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 912
Likes: 47
From: Kansas City MO
Eastwood Zinc Phosphate Paint #10281Z it is!
Looked around locally for other shades of grey/charcoal paint, but couldn't find anything that matches as close as the Eastwood Paint seems to. After stripping the test paints off the grill and applying the Eastwood paint, it came out really well. After letting it cure for a few days and staring at the grill for a while, I decided that the Eastwood paint is probably the closest paint match you will find to the original color. Thanks for the suggestion Alan...
Looked around locally for other shades of grey/charcoal paint, but couldn't find anything that matches as close as the Eastwood Paint seems to. After stripping the test paints off the grill and applying the Eastwood paint, it came out really well. After letting it cure for a few days and staring at the grill for a while, I decided that the Eastwood paint is probably the closest paint match you will find to the original color. Thanks for the suggestion Alan...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 57
You have to consider the effect of weather and aging on the appearance of a 40 year-old painted part. I think that Eastwood zinc paint is about as close as it gets (without having access to the exact factory paint).
With that center grille positioned as it was from the factory, it's kind of a moot point...as you can't really see that center grille well with it being inset so far. I actually extended the mounts to that center grille so that it would form a complete grille (since I didn't need a front license plate). That's why I've used the same paint for the side grille trim and the center grille section.
With that center grille positioned as it was from the factory, it's kind of a moot point...as you can't really see that center grille well with it being inset so far. I actually extended the mounts to that center grille so that it would form a complete grille (since I didn't need a front license plate). That's why I've used the same paint for the side grille trim and the center grille section.
Did the center grill piece originally have chrome forward facing edges, like the left and right grill pieces did?
If not, how did you refinish the center grill piece to match the left & right grill pieces?
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 57
Thanks