Grill refurb
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
Mask the leading outer chrome edge and the around the light lense, and then shoot the whole thing with paint. Then when the paint is mostly dry, sand with fine sandpaper or use a q-tip soaked in laquer thinner to remove the paint around the squares.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,170
Likes: 4,246
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi DS70,
I'm not sure about using even 'fine' sandpaper on the chromed surface
I like to use the same method as I use for the gauge bezels and console shifter plate. Spray the paint, let it flash for a couple of minutes, and then slice the paint off the chromed outer surface of the boxes with an x-acto blade.
The bottom row of squares didn't have the chrome exposed.
The inset 'race-track' around the lens was semi-flat black.
Regards,
Alan
I'm not sure about using even 'fine' sandpaper on the chromed surface
I like to use the same method as I use for the gauge bezels and console shifter plate. Spray the paint, let it flash for a couple of minutes, and then slice the paint off the chromed outer surface of the boxes with an x-acto blade.
The bottom row of squares didn't have the chrome exposed.
The inset 'race-track' around the lens was semi-flat black.
Regards,
Alan
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 133
Likes: 1
From: Edmonton Alberta
I agree with Alan 71.
Unfortunately I found there to be a lot of casting imperfections in the chromed surface so every time the razor blade hit a bump or nodule the whole process ground to a halt. Then the paint started to cure more and more and the process just became more difficult. It definitely requires alot of patience !
You can use extremely fine steel wool on the chrome (000 or finer) without fear of damaging that chrome but it does require a certain amount of finesse not to contaminate freshly painted areas with small flecks of steel wool (iron) which will stick and rust if not blown off with air.
I hope that helps !
Unfortunately I found there to be a lot of casting imperfections in the chromed surface so every time the razor blade hit a bump or nodule the whole process ground to a halt. Then the paint started to cure more and more and the process just became more difficult. It definitely requires alot of patience !
You can use extremely fine steel wool on the chrome (000 or finer) without fear of damaging that chrome but it does require a certain amount of finesse not to contaminate freshly painted areas with small flecks of steel wool (iron) which will stick and rust if not blown off with air.
I hope that helps !
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,170
Likes: 4,246
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I DO agree with C2C3.... the quality of the castings, their prep for plating, and the plating, leaves LOT'S to be desired. Same with the side grills.
The method I suggest does take some 'finesse', and I rarely (if ever) have success the first try!!!
Regards,
Alan
I DO agree with C2C3.... the quality of the castings, their prep for plating, and the plating, leaves LOT'S to be desired. Same with the side grills.
The method I suggest does take some 'finesse', and I rarely (if ever) have success the first try!!!
Regards,
Alan
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
Maybe I should have been a little more specific about the sandpaper. If you use 2000 grit sandpaper wrapped around something like a small piece of a wooden paint stir stick, and use some finesse, it will not damage the chrome.
I have also used the x-acto blade method, but have ran into the same problems with casting inperfections. Not so much on something like a console shift plate, but on things like the grilles.
The easiest method I have found is a q-tip soaked in laquer thinner, the paint literally wipes off with little to no effort.
Patience is the key for any of these methods, there is no fast amd easy way to do it.
I have also used the x-acto blade method, but have ran into the same problems with casting inperfections. Not so much on something like a console shift plate, but on things like the grilles.
The easiest method I have found is a q-tip soaked in laquer thinner, the paint literally wipes off with little to no effort.
Patience is the key for any of these methods, there is no fast amd easy way to do it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,921
Likes: 839
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
i once used a light swipe of vaseline to keep paint off a tire while i painted the wheel. absolutely don't use it if its warm out for obvious reasons. i agree with sanding with fine paper I'd use 3k grit
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 302
Likes: 14
From: Northern Ca.
I used a variety of methods on the wiper control console; vaseline, acetone, and razor. I will need to be way more patient on such a larger scale. Will SEM Trim Black work here too. Thanks.
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 370
Likes: 77
From: Perth Western Australia
I masked all the squares up when I did mine. Its was not as hard as it looks.
I laid tape along the full lenght of the raised ribs and then cut the corners in with a sharp #11 blade. The tape was then folded down the side of the ribs to the ridge below. The ridge acts as a good cutting guide for cutting the excess tape off.
I previously cleaned up the rough casting burrs and had the grills re-chromed. When I finshed masking I etched primed and sprayed. I decided to paint satin black instead of the usual silver/grey.
I laid tape along the full lenght of the raised ribs and then cut the corners in with a sharp #11 blade. The tape was then folded down the side of the ribs to the ridge below. The ridge acts as a good cutting guide for cutting the excess tape off.
I previously cleaned up the rough casting burrs and had the grills re-chromed. When I finshed masking I etched primed and sprayed. I decided to paint satin black instead of the usual silver/grey.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,170
Likes: 4,246
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I believe that originally the center grill was a very dark gray finish, that was quite flat.
When removed from it's hiding place, the finish had some sparkle to it when in the sunlight.
Regards,
Alan
I believe that originally the center grill was a very dark gray finish, that was quite flat.
When removed from it's hiding place, the finish had some sparkle to it when in the sunlight.
Regards,
Alan