71-72 Side Grill Paint

[Michael M.]

In planning the repaint of my '72, I've run upon a question:

The judging guide state that the side grills have chrome edges both horizontally and vertically. My question is - How MUCH of the edge is chrome??

Is it just the top surface, or does the chrome exposure wrap over the edge and down to the casting ledge which is about 1/16 inch below the top most edge???

------- Chrome exposure JUST on top edge

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[Dave S.]

Re: 71-72 Side Grill Paint

Mike,

The chrome is exposed on the outer plane as well as the returns into the casting ledge.

[Michael M.]

Re: 71-72 Side Grill Paint

Thanks for the response. That would make this a relatively difficult masking -

HOW DID THE FACTORY PAINT / MASK these things ???

[Dave S.]

Re: 71-72 Side Grill Paint

Mike,
I would imagine they had an eggerate mask that had slots that dropped over the" squares" and radius. I would be difficult to make a mask to spray 2 side grilles. Some masking tape and patience should work. Good Luck

[Terry M.]

Re: 71-72 Side Grill Paint *TL*

I have seen SERVICE grilles with the black primer on them, and narrow masking tape still in place over the chrome edges. Does that mean that is how it was done on the line in St. Louis? Not absolutely, but it might be a clue.

[Terry M.]

70-72 Side Grill Paint addendum *TL*

I have been told by folks who were there that the side grilles were delivered to St. Louis already painted. For what it is worth.

[Michael M.]

Re: 71-72 Side Grill Paint

So I guess the best way to reproduce this result would be:

1. Using thin masking tape - cover the top surface and the "sides" of the raised surfaces down to the "ledge"

2. Turn upside down and spray black primer

3. Turn right side up, spray black primer

4. Spray color coat

5. Carefully remove masking ...

Thoughts ???

[Dave S.]

Re: 71-72 Side Grill Paint

Mike,
Your suggested approach sounds right to me. o for it.

[Michael M.]

Re: 71-72 Side Grill Paint

One LAST Question:

As your looking at a grill, the rear facing surface of forward most side of each square (pointing toward the front of car) does NOT have a ledge, so do you:

1. paint the whole rear facing surface
2. simulate the ledge by paint 1/2 of the rear facing surface
or
3. do not paint this surface at all ???

I'm betting the answer is 2, ie: paint it so that the masking line is uniform around each square.

Thanks for all the help!!!

[Daniel Grunwald]

Re: 71-72 Side Grill Paint

Mike,
I recently painted the grilles in my 70 and it wasn't as difficult as it might seem. I used the green masking tape and masked across the top of the chrome edges and then used a small scalpel, (available in model hobby stores), to cut the unstuck part of the tape to the right width. You can also hold the knife at a slight angle if you want to lap a small amount of tape wider than the actual face of the chrome. The green tape holds better and seems to cut sharper than the cheap stuff. They also make some line tape in different very narrow widths that is sold in office supply stores used in drafting applications. Or, as my body shop guy does it, paint the grilles and use a razor blade to cut the paint off the chrome. It takes patience but it works better than you might think.
Dan

[Dave S.]

Re: 71-72 Side Grill Paint

Mike,
Upon inspection of my original paint 71 I see that the rear side of each eggcrate is painted body color. the only surfaces that are left chrome are where the "ledges' exist.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 71-72 Side Grill Paint

Dave,

You don't, by chance, have a way to take and post a link to a digital [picture, do you? Either that or I will most definitely have to look at your car this summer.

Patrick

[Dave S.]

Re: 71-72 Side Grill Paint

Patrick,

I'm slowly learning the photo/internet thing. I will give it a try. Maybe I can email a couple of photos to you and you can post. I will be at Hershey for sure as the judging confirmations came from Roy yesterday.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 71-72 Side Grill Paint

Dave,

I don't have any confirmation as of yet for judging. I'm holding on getting a hotel room until then. Hopefully soon...

Patrick

[Juliet P.]

Re: 71-72 Side Grill Paint

There are detailed photos of several 1970 original grilles showing overspray patterns and paint details on the 70 Registry website. In 1970, only the horizontal chrome and forward most vertical chrome edges were originally exposed. The photos are in the Resource / Photo Library / Exterior section. http://corvetteforum.net/c3/1970regi...xtdetails.html ~Juliet

http://corvetteforum.net/c3/1970registry/extdetails.html