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I want to paint the black (plastic) front grilles on my 77.
Do you guys know what's a good chrome paint for this?
I know that it won't be the same as real chrome but I don't like the grey/black grille color.
Just wan't to try and if it doesn't look good I will paint it black again.
All of the craft stores (Hobby Lobby, Michael's, etc) have silver leaf and gold leaf pens (actually like high quality paint markers). The silver works well to simulate vacuum-plated "chrome". Clean the surfaces well before using; and you might want to put a couple of coats of clear (or semi-gloss) lacquer on top to help preserve your work. The marker tip will eliminate the need of masking for spray paint.
I've used a couple of versions of the silver leaf pens to paint the raised rib outline around the center panel of my '77. It works pretty good for that purpose but it doesn't last. It takes 2 or 3 coats to cover the black, it's tedious, and it also doesn't look anything like chrome except in color. It's closer to just flat silver paint. If I was going to paint grills I'd spray with a good brand of silver paint - Duplicolor or whatever - and clear coat with gloss.
I'd do what 7T1 recommends as far as the silver leafing- I used the Krylon
The center grill from the factory is all black- looks unfinished as the sides are chrome,
Since I'm not a NCRS guy- I wanted it to match the sides with out big money to chrome.
I glass beaded the grill- Sprayed with some primer and then a couple of coats of semi-gloss black. I then got a silver leaf pen (on line for less then $10) and did the edges. Was really easy to do. let it set-up for a few days and buffed it out gently.
I'd do what 7T1 recommends as far as the silver leafing- I used the Krylon
The center grill from the factory is all black- looks unfinished as the sides are chrome,
Since I'm not a NCRS guy- I wanted it to match the sides with out big money to chrome.
I glass beaded the grill- Sprayed with some primer and then a couple of coats of semi-gloss black. I then got a silver leaf pen (on line for less then $10) and did the edges. Was really easy to do. let it set-up for a few days and buffed it out gently.
I then clear coated it
Richard
What clear coat did you use?
Is there something to bear in mind, when choosing a clear coat? Different types, chemical reaction with the paint that it is applied on, ...?
What clear coat did you use?
Is there something to bear in mind, when choosing a clear coat? Different types, chemical reaction with the paint that it is applied on, ...?
I used Krylon- had a test piece and followed the instructions on the can. Worked fine.
For my 73- the grille is metal (albeit pot-metal)-
I sanded the edges with a belt sander- painted black- re-sanded the edges and then cleared it.
I did the same thing to my front grille about 4-5 years ago. Just didn't like the center grille sunk down in about 4 inches. Made some 4" [post] extenders and used the technique I [and Richard} described above. Here is the result:
You can give this a try! It is tons of work but looks good. Stole the idea from the punisher.
That looks very nice indeed!
What materials did you use?
Did you have to bent the trim pieces yourself?
How did you install the trim pieces on the plastic grilles.
That looks very nice indeed!
What materials did you use?
Did you have to bent the trim pieces yourself?
How did you install the trim pieces on the plastic grilles.
Search the C3 general forum for: show us your no or low cost home made do it yourself stuff C3 corvette. Go to post 124. You will see step by step procedure.
Search the C3 general forum for: show us your no or low cost home made do it yourself stuff C3 corvette. Go to post 124. You will see step by step procedure.
07-13-2018, 08:36 PM
Chrome paint for front grilles
