1970 Front Grille Restoration (No hole style)

[Juliet P.]

Yippie, it's like Christmas today! I purchased a front grille for my '70 from a fellow '70 registry member which arrived today!! (He's got another set and a 5-port washer BTW.) The front left grille which was on the car when I purchased it has the screw holes (very late 70 and later style, my car is Feb 18 build date). So, I need to restore this baby. The chrome is in really good shape (better than the other side!) The grey paint on this 'new' one definately needs to be redone as it's presently painted black & chipping off in places.

Has anyone successfully restored one? What was your painting / masking procedure? I suppose I can color match to the pass side one on my car which hasn't been monkeyed with as far as I can tell. Any thoughts as to what's a close match in an off the shelf rattle can or will I need to get something custom blended?

Has anyone seen cross-recess head screws which hold the clear '70 lenses in which have little notches around the X? It almost looks like writing, but I can't quite make out the letters. It's not at all like what's on my car now but came on the lens on this front grille. I'm just curious if that's a style screw which came with replacement lenses or something.

Anyways, the infamous rear studs are broken off. (I knew that before I purchased it). Considering the ridiculous asking price for the only one of these (in far worse condition) I've seen in 3 years of searching at Carlisle, I figure I'm still ahead of the game. Not to mention that finding the driver side anything in good shape seems tougher than the passenger side! I've heard of some people being able to repair the rear studs. I've also heard reports that they don't do much anyways so it's not worth the hassle. So, which is it? Any input from someone who has been there?

I think I've finally tracked down all the 'big ticket' hard to find '70 only parts for my beloved grunge monster! (884 alt, PW door panels in blue, UA6 stuff, 7040202 carb, idler arm, wiper blades..) I guess once I get these goodies all installed and finish with the AC system restoration and front suspension it'll be time to get her judged again and start with a fresh laundry list. I have this feeling that one is never really ever done with restoration though. Thanks, ~Juliet

PS - Anyone joining in the Maryland National Corvette Caravan to Nashville / Bowling Green for the 50th celebration? We'll be taking both the '70 and '87. ....ahhh what a concept, functional AC in the '70 this summer!




1970 Corvette Registry

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1970 Front Grille Restoration (No hole style)

Juliet,

This may sound funny, but I think the answer is right in your own backyard. I've actually disussed with Tony (of Tony's Corvette Shop) many specifics about restoring this EXACT type of grille piece. He even has tips on how to paint it and what to use.

BTW, the codes for the grille paint are in the Archives, if you haven't pulled them already. I have about 6-8 cans of various colors of spray paint in my basement that I used in trying to select the best one without having some custom mixed.

Patrick

[Lee McGlamery]

Re: 1970 Front Grille Restoration (No hole style)

Hi Juliet. I have a set of original 70 grilles that I restored and I had the paint custom mixed using the formula Patrick referenced in the archives. I also found paint from Eastwood's call wheel grey that matches the custom paint almost perfectly. I also ordered the screws for the parking lamp lenses from Corvette Central and Dr. Rebuild and the ones from Corvette Central closely matched the original screws. The problem is that the screws that I matched were in the 1971 grilles that were on the car so I do not know if they are really correct for a 70.

I do have one broken post on my left grill but I have not been able to find anyone that can repair pot metal. I accidentally dropped one of my grilles and a small piece of the chromed edge broke but I was able to repair it with J.B. Epoxy Weld. The grilles are very, very, fragile.

I prepared my grilles for paint by using pinstripping tape to mask the front edges of the grill. It took me a couple of days to prep the grilles but they turned out beautiful.

Thanks

Lee

[Jim T.]

Re: 1970 Front Grille Restoration (No hole style)

Juliet since you mentioned that the chrome is pretty good on your new 70 grille, you could cut the heads off three bolts and JB Weld them to the grille and see if it would hold up. I used JB Weld on a repair couple of years ago and it is still holding and it undergoes daily stress several times a day more than what a 70 grille studs will encounter only securing the grille in place.

[Jeff A.]

Re: 1970 Front Grille Restoration (No hole style)

Juliet,

I'm doing it right now. There was a suggestion in a much earlier post that sandcast paint will match the original.

These grills were obtained from an NCRS member, yet I see some on E-Bay. Unfortunately many of them are the screw ons and we all know that's not right on a 70, although they are listed for a 70.

If you find another type of spray please let me know. After they are sprayed, you may have some light scrapping to get the paint off the areas that are supposed to be chromed on the eggcrate section. Spraying them from the rear eliminated alot of this. Jeff