C-3 1970 side louvers

[jack bogosian]

When I got the car last year..It was painted and they didnt leave the horizontal edges of the side louvers silver like it should be.. The louver is painted over in white lacquer.. Does anyone know if the louvers are metal and maybe I can take a little sand paper to the edges of the louvers and the silver will come through after the white paint is removed. Also are all the edges silver or just the center ones..This is a tough one thanks JAck

[Barry Chappell]

Re: C-3 1970 side louvers

Here are a couple pictures I took a few years ago of my '70 side vents.
They are original.
The vents are metal, and the horizontal edges are exposed metal as well as the front vertical edge.

I would be careful about sanding the paint, as not to dull the metal edge.
Correct exposed finish is "chrome like".

If you can see in the pictures, the factory transition, paint to bare metal, is quite poor.
Not sure if a razor blade may work better.

Others here may be able to offer more suggestions.
Barry

[Jim T.]

Re: C-3 1970 side louvers

I have a 70 as well, and I would use polishing compound to remove the paint. One of these days I will do mine. I painted my car in 91 but just have not taken the time to do this yet. Polishing compound should remove the thin layer on the edge pretty easy. I used polishing compound when I rubbed out my laquer paint job and it turned out really nice.

[Joe L.]

Re: C-3 1970 side louvers

Jack------

For 1970, all of the "RAISED" edges of the grill panel were chromed and unpainted. For this model year (and, perhaps very early 1971) this DID NOT include the VERTICAL edges, excepting the forwardmost. The four rearmost vertical edges were NOT "raised" and were painted.

I would DEFINITELY not recommend the use of anything sharp or abrasive to remove the paint on these "raised" edges lest you damage the chrome. I would try to remove the paint with some sort of organic solvent or paint stripper. This will have to be done with EXTREME, EXTREME care, perhaps with a Q-Tip.

[Jack H.]

AGREE!

Use solvent and work carefully removing existing paint so as NOT to scratch the underlying chrome OR remove paint beyond the accent outline...

[Jim T.]

Re: C-3 1970 side louvers

Jack if you use Joe's recommended method of paint stripper or organic solvent send me a e-mail as how it turns out. One day I will take care of mine and want to use the best method that will not affect the paint around the chrome line. My original use of Dupont lacquer is not available any more from my Dupont paint supplier.