66 Front grille finish

[Jim S.]

I removed and repainted my grille years ago . now ready to put it back on . I noticed that I removed the paint from all 19 horizontal bar faces , and the outside edge , but that is it . Should any of the front surface of the vertical bars be unpainted as well ??? Pictures ????


Thanks,
Jim

[Richard M.]

Re: 66 Front grille finish

Jim, the vertical bars = no paint, ie chrome.

I used a original 67 grille as a guide to repaint a rechromed 66 grille.

Pictures Here

Rich

Edit.... Since PB went greedy, here are the photos from the above now broken link for future reference.

Here's the play-by-play of my process. This 66 grille was stripped and rechromed by the owner. I had a used 67 grille and used it as my guide. I used flat aluminum paint with a tip I could rotate for easing the spray pattern while holding the can upright.

First I masked off the outer face. I did not mask each inner horizontal bar as I would wipe those later with solvent before the paint dried.
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Top used 1967 reference grille.
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1967 grille painted view from the backside
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more
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1966 ready for shooting
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more 1966
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Spray paint tip views.

Vertical pattern
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Vertical spray out
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Horizontal pattern
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Horizontal spray out
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I used this. Any flat aluminum or equivalent finish could work. I test sprayed and let it dry to get a match.
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Spray all backside horizontal areas using the vertical spray pattern. Then use the horizontal pattern in appropriate vertical areas. You'll get the idea which to use when spraying.
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Then start spraying the sides of the vertical supports. You'll have to do this from the back and the front to get complete coverage. Take your time.
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After paint, before cleanup. Don't wait too long and stay in the shade so the paint doesn't dry too quickly.
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More detail.
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Use cotton swabs dipped in acetone or lacquer thinner, start the tedious process of wiping each small horizontal chrome bar. Use a piece of cardboard to mask off each painted side area so you don't wipe the paint off where it should remain.
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Lots of wiping. Use plenty of swabs. This will take some time to get every one. Look closely when done as you'll certainly miss a few spots.
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Done
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Back on the car. It had a one piece nose years prior and best I could get the bumper alignment.... without bodywork.
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[Jim S.]

Re: 66 Front grille finish

Rich ,

I was afraid that was the correct answer ! I found a few pics while searching that showed the vertical bars without paint , but was hoping that was 67 only . Lots of work ahead !

I wonder how they painted it that way back in the day ?

As always thanks for your help and pictures,

Jim

[Gene M.]

Re: 66 Front grille finish

Actually the paint should come off fairly easy. Paint does not adhere well to smooth slick surface such as chrome. I suggest start at an edge with a razor blade and work along up to the parting line. It should shear away fairly clean without affecting the chrome below.

Yes a bit of time involved my guess about 3 beers.

[Jim S.]

Re: 66 Front grille finish

Thanks Gene ,

My quick estimate is that there are about 126 separate surfaces , as all but the 3 vertical bars at each end have a top and bottom side !

That's 126 surfaces that need to be striped of paint , while at the same time , trying not to scratch or harm the painted surfaces between them !!! So either you work tons faster than me, or you're a very slow drinker !


Jim

[Richard M.]

Re: 66 Front grille finish

Jim, Gene is spot-on. You can try Lacquer thinner or Acetone too but if the paint has dried for a long time the razor blade may be best. Just make certain it's brand new with no nicks.

My photo sequence is exactly how I think they did it. Notice I had a original as a example to use when I painted the other.

I masked the front to minimize overspray there. I sprayed from the backside to front side, then the sides. After the paint dried a while, I then used lacquer thinner with Q-Tips and rags to clean off the chrome bars.

The entire task took me about a hour or so. I don't drink beer often so it'd have been about a 1/2 bottle for me.

Rich
PS I also use these on chrome to clean dirt, paint, rust and haze. They're pricey, but work great. They can only be purchased from the manufacturer.

https://www.eraser.com/products/fiberglass-brushes-erasers/industrial-fine-eraser/

Full list:

https://www.eraser.com/products/fiberglass-brushes-erasers/

[Jim S.]

Re: 66 Front grille finish

" The entire task took me about a hour or so. I don't drink beer often so it'd have been about a 1/2 bottle for me."

Rich ,

That statement got me thinking that I may just strip an repaint ! This wouldn't be the first job I had to redo . It may be way faster and certainly way less tedious !(Using the drinking analogy :taking it from a from a whole fifth of Bourbon job , to only a few drinks ! )

Having to do it all over again , would you still use the VHT Dull Aluminum ?

Jim

[Richard M.]

Re: 66 Front grille finish

" The entire task took me about a hour or so. I don't drink beer often so it'd have been about a 1/2 bottle for me."

Rich ,

That statement got me thinking that I may just strip an repaint ! This wouldn't be the first job I had to redo . It may be way faster and certainly way less tedious !(Using the drinking analogy :taking it from a from a whole fifth of Bourbon job , to only a few drinks ! )

Having to do it all over again , would you still use the VHT Dull Aluminum ?

Jim

Jim, Before you strip the whole grille again...... What exactly is painted now and what would need to be removed? Let's be sure so you don't have to rework it if you don't have to. Maybe some paint remover then the razor would quicken the task.

Yes I'd use that paint again as it was a perfect match to the original grille I had. My friend who owns the '66 had his re-chromed and it was very nice. When he asked me to paint it for him I did a little research but not much help so I winged it. He called me one day after attending a show and many folks were commenting how nice of a job he did on his grille. He said he was embarrassed and couldn't lie, so he told them someone else did it for him. He said he felt guilty and wanted to give me the credit for it. I chuckled when he told me the story. I told him he could've taken the credit, no big deal.

Rich

[Domenic T.]

Re: 66 Front grille finish

Rich,
Thanks a bunch and especially the VHT. I was about to order argent silver and then use a flatning agent, but the dull or flat silver in the rattle can is the one I will use. I found your post when searching but the pics would not come up. Now it's time to do it. I also have a spare grille and had my original chromed
Thanks guys. I was going to use some business cards to keep away from the painted areas.

Dom