71egg crate-Chrome or not
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Lucas TX
71egg crate-Chrome or not
When I got my 71, the side egg crate grill was chromed, and when we repainted it, we left them alone. But, I have been told that they were not chromed. So, I want to find out once and for all, if in fact the egg-crate grill is suppose to match the car color with the edge chromed or not.
this is a #'s matching, newly rebuilt drive train, and we are doing what restoration we can, as we can, so we do want to get it the way it's suppose to be, as I can afford... So, the answer will help us in planning to have them repainted or not...
Thanks
JJJSLJ
71 Coupe
this is a #'s matching, newly rebuilt drive train, and we are doing what restoration we can, as we can, so we do want to get it the way it's suppose to be, as I can afford... So, the answer will help us in planning to have them repainted or not...
Thanks
JJJSLJ
71 Coupe
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 5
From: Brown Summit North Carolina
The side grills are painted the same color as the car, they do however have the outer edges of each ribs running both horozontial and vertical in chrome.
I beleive the unit was chromed , the painted leaving the ridges chrome.
To do a restoration, I suggest you invest in a restoration guide which has this and other detailed information.
David
I beleive the unit was chromed , the painted leaving the ridges chrome.
To do a restoration, I suggest you invest in a restoration guide which has this and other detailed information.
David
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 255
Likes: 3
not chromed
I did some research when I did my 72 and everyone I spoke with and every picture I looked at was painted. I found none chromed from the factory. Not saying there might not have been a few but I couldnt find any that came that way. We painted mine then went back a few hours later and wet sanded the tops of the egg crate to have the chrome look on the grill sections. Then once they were cleaned well we clear coated them.
egg crates 1972
Rodney
egg crates 1972
Rodney
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
The crates were chrome plated from the factory and painted over the body color of the car. Only the edges exposed the chrome. They looked just like the picture posted above by rod. The picture below is of an original painted over grille from a 1970, and one showing a 1972 NOS grille.
The black Grille in this picture is a NOS original 1971-1972 Grille.
The yellow car in this pic is a 1970 70k mile original car and the gray one.. I don't remember what car this is to be honest.
Here is a set of 1970 grilles that have had the edge painted over.. This is not correct!
The best way to do this is to scuff the chrome with 600 grit and prime them with an acid etching primer before painting. This will help the paint adherer to the chrome and not peal off. Edging.. that is a tough one. You can spend countless hours taping these off before you paint them, or after painting them you can use paint thinner and a rag and gently wipe off the edges. Another method is to use a razor blade and edge them off after paint.
Just my 2 cents worth..
Willcox "thumbs"
The black Grille in this picture is a NOS original 1971-1972 Grille.
The yellow car in this pic is a 1970 70k mile original car and the gray one.. I don't remember what car this is to be honest.
Here is a set of 1970 grilles that have had the edge painted over.. This is not correct!
The best way to do this is to scuff the chrome with 600 grit and prime them with an acid etching primer before painting. This will help the paint adherer to the chrome and not peal off. Edging.. that is a tough one. You can spend countless hours taping these off before you paint them, or after painting them you can use paint thinner and a rag and gently wipe off the edges. Another method is to use a razor blade and edge them off after paint.
Just my 2 cents worth..
Willcox "thumbs"
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Feb 13, 2011 at 12:45 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,235
Likes: 4,326
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi F,
I'm not sure if the size of the opening is the same.
Also, the 70-72 fenders have a 'lip' molded into the very perimeter of the fiberglass opening that the grill 'seats' against as it's screwed into position. I don't think that the 73 fender has it.
So I think at best it would take some fiberglass work.
Regards,
Alan
I'm not sure if the size of the opening is the same.
Also, the 70-72 fenders have a 'lip' molded into the very perimeter of the fiberglass opening that the grill 'seats' against as it's screwed into position. I don't think that the 73 fender has it.
So I think at best it would take some fiberglass work.
Regards,
Alan
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 405
Likes: 31
From: Houston, Texas
Another side grill question
Great information and great pictures.
The side grills on my 72 are painted black with the chrome edges showing. Not sure what happened, I have heard that some left the factory that way, and have also heard that is not the case. At any rate, I would like to get back to the original look. The color is Ontario Orange and the rest of the paint on the car is 8/10 and looks great.
My question is can I buy a small amount of matching paint and have my friend spray it after all the prep work is complete and afterward expose the edges. If so, what kind of paint? Or do I have to do a clear coat/base coat for just these two pieces?
Thank you.
The side grills on my 72 are painted black with the chrome edges showing. Not sure what happened, I have heard that some left the factory that way, and have also heard that is not the case. At any rate, I would like to get back to the original look. The color is Ontario Orange and the rest of the paint on the car is 8/10 and looks great.
My question is can I buy a small amount of matching paint and have my friend spray it after all the prep work is complete and afterward expose the edges. If so, what kind of paint? Or do I have to do a clear coat/base coat for just these two pieces?
Thank you.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Great information and great pictures.
The side grills on my 72 are painted black with the chrome edges showing. Not sure what happened, I have heard that some left the factory that way, and have also heard that is not the case. At any rate, I would like to get back to the original look. The color is Ontario Orange and the rest of the paint on the car is 8/10 and looks great.
My question is can I buy a small amount of matching paint and have my friend spray it after all the prep work is complete and afterward expose the edges. If so, what kind of paint? Or do I have to do a clear coat/base coat for just these two pieces?
Thank you.
The side grills on my 72 are painted black with the chrome edges showing. Not sure what happened, I have heard that some left the factory that way, and have also heard that is not the case. At any rate, I would like to get back to the original look. The color is Ontario Orange and the rest of the paint on the car is 8/10 and looks great.
My question is can I buy a small amount of matching paint and have my friend spray it after all the prep work is complete and afterward expose the edges. If so, what kind of paint? Or do I have to do a clear coat/base coat for just these two pieces?
Thank you.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
No. FWIW: back in the day, Eckler had a 73-74 fender vent fiberlgass insert which replaced the 70-72 crates to give the older cars a newer look.
