Reconditioned Grilles

[Eugene V.]

Hello everyone,

I sent my grilles out to be re chromed and painted and they are now finished. Before I accept them I was hoping an experienced eye would take a look at the attached photos and let me know if the paint color is correct. The TIM&JG calls for a "gray sand cast finish". Most of the grilles I have seen appear closer to black than gray so I am interested to find out if this color is correct.

Thanks,

Gene Ventura

[Bob D.]

Re: Reconditioned Grilles

Gene

The gray finish looks to be smoother and a bit lighter than I have seen. The center grille section should be black as I recall and the two side pieces with the parking lights should be gray. I'm sure Terry M or someone else with more experience than I can chime in with better advice.

Bob

[Bill L.]

Re: Reconditioned Grilles

Gene

The gray finish looks to be smoother and a bit lighter than I have seen. The center grille section should be black as I recall and the two side pieces with the parking lights should be gray. I'm sure Terry M or someone else with more experience than I can chime in with better advice.

Bob

I tend to agree with Bob. The paint was originally lacquer and was almost textured and a bit rough. I had paint custom matched to my original which was in very nice shape. From cleaning over the years it tends to get smoothed out. The center grill on mine was relatively untouched and the "texture" was quite evident. I used the center grill for the paint match. My paint guy had the original formula and even then it needed a little adjustment.



Bill

[Eugene V.]

Re: Reconditioned Grilles

Bill and Bob,

Thanks for your replies. It looks like they are going to have to be repainted.

Gene Ventura

[Bill L.]

Re: Reconditioned Grilles

IMG_0034.jpgIMG_0035.jpg

Bill and Bob,

Thanks for your replies. It looks like they are going to have to be repainted.

Gene Ventura

Found some pics.

[Terry M.]

Re: Reconditioned Grilles

Hello everyone,

I sent my grilles out to be re chromed and painted and they are now finished. Before I accept them I was hoping an experienced eye would take a look at the attached photos and let me know if the paint color is correct. The TIM&JG calls for a "gray sand cast finish". Most of the grilles I have seen appear closer to black than gray so I am interested to find out if this color is correct.

Thanks,

Gene Ventura

Gene,
I assUme you covered the chrome with tape to mitigate the reflections. It is really hard to assess color and texture based on internet photos. Your monitor may have colors set differently than mine -- whose is right? No way to tell. Also the photos on the Internet are way too low resolution to get into fine details.

I once printed the paint instructions, with formula, on this site. If a search doesn't tune up the formula try searching The Corvette Forum. Someone with no ethics or morals printed the same information, misspellings and all, and without attribution on that forum. The last person who tried to use that information reported back here that he had no luck getting some of the materials used. May you have better fortune.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Reconditioned Grilles

Gene,
I assUme you covered the chrome with tape to mitigate the reflections. It is really hard to assess color and texture based on internet photos. Your monitor may have colors set differently than mine -- whose is right? No way to tell. Also the photos on the Internet are way too low resolution to get into fine details.

I once printed the paint instructions, with formula, on this site. If a search doesn't tune up the formula try searching The Corvette Forum. Someone with no ethics or morals printed the same information, misspellings and all, and without attribution on that forum. The last person who tried to use that information reported back here that he had no luck getting some of the materials used. May you have better fortune.

1970-1972 GRILLE PAINT
Gray: (original spec) Dupont 863-42103 to match WOA-3406 (one paint dealer reports to match WOE-340) This spec, which is off the original print, may mean little to a Dupont supplier. Use code 9931 below for current 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
All these numbers are for lacquer paint. Let me know if your supplier can mix it. At some point I suppose this stuff will go away and I don't want to tell people to keep looking for it once it is gone.
Terry

[Eugene V.]

Re: Reconditioned Grilles

Terry,

Actually, those photos were taken by the shop that is doing the re chrome/repaint work. The tape is the masking for the paint work which was left on the grille pending my acceptance of the work.

I completely agree with your assessment of trying to evaluate this over the internet.


I did see you post and will speak with the shop regarding the paint formula.

Thanks for your reply,

Gene

[Eugene V.]

Re: Reconditioned Grilles

Patrick,
I forwarded the formula to the shop doing the work. One other question, is the center grille painted to match the outer grilles, or is painted black?

Thanks for your reply,

Gene Ventura

[Patrick H.]

Re: Reconditioned Grilles

I've not thought it black, but that the different material made it look darker.

[Reba W.]

Re: Reconditioned Grilles

I wouldn't call it black but a very dark charcoal.

[Alan S.]

Re: Reconditioned Grilles

Hi,
This is Eastwood Zinc Phosphate 10281Z spray can.
It has a rough texture when sprayed on the center grill casting.
Regards,
Alan

[Dick W.]

Re: Reconditioned Grilles

I always used 1978 Chrysler code RA 2 and flattened to a semi flat using PPG DX 685. I mixed it to a gloss between egg shell and flat. See the chart here

[Terry M.]

Re: Reconditioned Grilles

1970-1972 GRILLE PAINT
Gray: (original spec) Dupont 863-42103 to match WOA-3406 (one paint dealer reports to match WOE-340) This spec, which is off the original print, may mean little to a Dupont supplier. Use code 9931 below for current 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
All these numbers are for lacquer paint. Let me know if your supplier can mix it. At some point I suppose this stuff will go away and I don't want to tell people to keep looking for it once it is gone.
Terry

Thank you for saving that Patrick. I had a computer issue around a year ago and lost all that and more.