What Color To Paint Grilles

[Mark A.]

I have received my front chrome grilles back from the chromer for my 71 LT-1. Now I have to paint the crosshatching and so forth. What color was it that people were using? I thought I saw on a thread someone was using the gray shock absorber color. Is this correct, or is there a closer to original color? Thanks, Mark

[Terry M.]

Re: What Color To Paint Grilles

If my computer had not crashed late last year I could give you the text of the print, but alas it is gone from my computer, but I posted it twice on here and some ungrateful SOB copied it from here and posted it on that other forum without attribution. Yes, that forum that bashes NCRS so often.

Past threads on here have updated the material used also. I think the last poster had some issues getting the original material from the paint store.

[James B.]

Re: What Color To Paint Grilles

From the TDB archives:


Terry McManmon (May 4th, 2005):

It has been several years since I posted this, so I'll add it to the several identical posts that should be in the archives.

1970-1972 GRILLE PAINT

"Gray: Dupont 863-42103 to match WOA-3406" (one paint dealer reports to match WOE-340 in 1998) This spec, which is off the original print, may mean little to a Dupont supplier. Use code 9931 below for current (in 1999) match.
Use primer/sealer first then:
use Dupont code 9931 at 5% gloss level. (a flattener will have to be added to achieve this level) This code also includes an additive that will yield the rough surface of the gray area.

Small recess surrounding the lamp lens should be "flat black:
Dupont 898-9881 to match WA 30 x 848"
The words in quotation marks are from the original print for the grilles.
Please let us know how your search progresses. As the automotive paint industry changes this original information may have less and less relevance. As you can see, the last feedback I received was more than several years ago.

Gregory Gambino (May 4th, 2005):

Terry,
Upon calling Dupont directly, the Dupont Number 863-42103 is not found in their data files,but the Old Stock# Dupont code 9931 is, and is superceded by their new number for DK GRAY METALIC 723199 and that formulation date was 8/2/1990.Both paint codes were acrylic laquer,or Lucite.
The paint shops reccommend a color photo to match the existing color,since laquer here in N.Y. is no longer available.The paint can be made in a Base Coat Clear Coat.
Dupont was kind enough to fax the ingredients of the Grey 723199.Their phone number is 1-800-338-7668.
Hope this helps.
Greg

[Randy C.]

Re: What Color To Paint Grilles

There was an article in the Summer 2008 issue of The Corvette Restorer by Carl Droste (#24392) describing how herestored the grills on his 1970 Corvette. He used "a Rust-Oleum flat textured paint in Dark Pewter" and said it "...seemed a perfect match...". By perfect match, he was looking for a paint that was "...a dark grey color, very flat, and with a texture additive to give it a cast look."

Just thought I would throw that in as food for thought.

Randy C.