1966 grille

[Tauno M.]

i have taken my grille off to clean it up. it is pretty well pitted and corroded. it is also evident that back then chroming didn't cover the whole thing - only the front and only visible surfaces.
i am using an electric toothbrush and have tried a variety of compounds.
i have been over it 4 times and it is still only so-so.
any ideas on what to use would be helpful, or if you feel it is best to rechrome it i'd love to here your views???

[Jack C.]

Re: 1966 grille

Sounds just like the one I had on my 67, very pitted. I gave up and ordered a new one from gmpartsdepartment.com. They are still a stock item and can be ordered from GM. I think it was about $325-350.
Much cheaper then the corvette parts house's.
Also, cheaper then rechrome.
By the way, that was the way they are made, chrome on the front lip and silver on the rest.
Good Luck
Jack Coffman

[Donald L.]

Re: 1966 grille

The price went way up on that grill and the one from GM restorations shipping was $80.00?

[Larry T.]

Re: 1966 grille

I asked one of the reputable re-chroming shops (do not remember which one) how much it would run to rechrome a grill. They said by the time they strip it down, fill in any pitting, triple plate it, re-paint the painted areas, etc. it would run about $750-$800, but it would look right, guaranteed.

[Domenic T.]

Re: 1966 grille

I was wondering if they came pitted new?
I bought mine in 1971 from the chevy dealer I was working at and it was pitted.
Since then I bought another from a guy that was unused with a bunch of other parts and it to was pitted.

DOM

[Donald L.]

Re: 1966 grille

The new one I got has what look like pits on the inside very small but there. I am sure it is like the tail lights they come pre pitted.

[Tauno M.]

Re: 1966 grille

thanks for the replies. i finally tried good old coca cola and with a light handed emery cloth got it cleaned up pretty good - you have to get within 12" to see flaws.