C1 grill teeth woes

[Troy P.]

The first thing you look for when judging the grill area is how pointed the teeth are. What is the solution to getting teeth with points most like the original?

I once tried having my original teeth replated. That didn't work because Bubba in the back room ground the sides of the points flat while preparing them for copper. But maybe some of you have had better luck with a different plater? If so, who?

20 years ago or so I bought a repro set from Corvette Central and they were quite good and pretty well pointed. Recently I bought a set from them, paid extra for the American made teeth, and found them quite unsatisfactory. Every one had a different shaped nose and only 2 out of the 13 had a passable point. There were other problems with the plating on several as well.

I wonder if the foreign made reproduction teeth may be better? Anyone have luck buying good teeth recently and if so where did you get them?

Photos of original vs. repro teeth.

Grill Teeth 001 (Small).jpgGrill Teeth 004 (Small).jpgGrill Teeth 007 (Small).jpg

[Steven B.]

Re: C1 grill teeth woes

Troy, I know one fellow who "ground" the points on his 13 teeth and they looked pretty good-much better than reproductions and undetectable from my originals. I do not know if he added metal before grinding, though. I believe he used 6" stones on a grinder then a Dremel for fine areas. He then sent them to Paul's Plating for a factory style plating.

Steve

[Troy P.]

Re: C1 grill teeth woes

A partial do it yourself approach. Interesting. I wonder if he had the chrome stripped first?

[Steven B.]

Re: C1 grill teeth woes

Yes, he had them stripped first. I will check with him and ask if he added metal and how much and will let you know.

[Steven B.]

Re: C1 grill teeth woes

Troy, I got lucky and Jim was home. He did add metal to all of the leading edges as he remembers. He said the 13 teeth took him a couple of months working part time. He is very talented and created a Cord 810/812 right front fender body buck and pounded out a fender including pop up headlight. I asked him if he would be interested in doing another set now he is retired and can devote the time and he said )&#&%#^*_ NO!

Steve

[Troy P.]

Re: C1 grill teeth woes

I don't blame him. Grinding and polishing is one thing. Building up pot metal surfaces is another.

Still must be other options in NCRS C1 Land.

[Gary C.]

Re: C1 grill teeth woes

check with fellow NCRS member and advertiser Corvette Specialities of MD West - at one time he had very nice C1 grille teeth

http://csofmdwest.readyhosting.com/store/product12.html

[Chris S.]

Re: C1 grill teeth woes

I had all my teeth re-plating at Paul's

[Troy P.]

Re: C1 grill teeth woes

Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out.

[Troy P.]

Re: C1 grill teeth woes

You are the second one that mentioned Paul's. Never heard of them before. I should look into that place. Can you provide contact info?

[Joe M.]

Re: C1 grill teeth woes

i purchased a couple of repro teeth from Corvette Specialties of MD West and was pleased. The overall shape is good and front of teeth is pointed. The primary difference is in the weight of the repros; several ounces lighter; i.e. thinner pot metal. They are not quite as deep as the original teeth; from front of tooth to back edge of the tooth. The price per tooth is reasonable for the product provided.

[Troy P.]

Re: C1 grill teeth woes

Thanks, Joe. At Gary's suggestion I sent an email query to them asking about the nose on their teeth. Sounds like you and Gary are satisfied.

[Chris S.]

Re: C1 grill teeth woes

http://www.paulschrome.com/

I used Pauls exclusively for #3803
They are expensive - but you get what you pay for AND they stand behind what they do
I have numerous great experiences
They have also taken care of some of my mistakes and boo boo's - when it was not their fault
Good turn around

I also recommend Advanced Plating - I used them exclusively on my ISCA show car.
Same thing - They are expensive - but you get what you pay for

[Troy P.]

Re: C1 grill teeth woes

One replier that used Pauls did a lot of hand work on his teeth first. Did yours turn out with sharp points just letting Pauls handle them start to finish?

[Troy P.]

Re: C1 grill teeth woes

I explained the issue in detail to the owners of Corvette Central and Corvette Specialties and also identified what the fix was. The owner of CC was very interested in making the parts better and set off to make changes in the finishing process. They have shipped me a new improved set. Should get them in a few days. I'll report back after examining them closely.

Moral is be proactive about quality and originality. Now if I could only get TrimParts to change the hood and horn emblems! I've tried.