Early 1969 Front Grill Black Paint Question

[Kevin S.]

I am making good progress on masking off the LH/Center/RH front plastic grill sections for my early 1969 (Oct. 31, 1968 build). I am good with the silver paint but wondering about the black paint that I should be using for restoration? Would the black for the front grills be: high gloss, gloss, semi gloss, semi flat, medium gloss, low gloss, flat black?

I've received some assistance and a number of good photos on how the front grills were painted on Corvette Forum, how they were masked off, and the sort of sloppy fashion that the horizontal bars were painted but I'm not sure about the sheen for the black portion of the grills? Big thank you to PJO and avalonjohn for helping me so far.

I was leaning toward Corvette Central medium gloss black, which in my mind would be close to a semi-gloss black. Thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge and expertise with me.

Kevin

[Joe L.]

Re: Early 1969 Front Grill Black Paint Question

I am making good progress on masking off the LH/Center/RH front plastic grill sections for my early 1969 (Oct. 31, 1968 build). I am good with the silver paint but wondering about the black paint that I should be using for restoration? Would the black for the front grills be: high gloss, gloss, semi gloss, semi flat, medium gloss, low gloss, flat black?

I've received some assistance and a number of good photos on how the front grills were painted on Corvette Forum, how they were masked off, and the sort of sloppy fashion that the horizontal bars were painted but I'm not sure about the sheen for the black portion of the grills? Big thank you to PJO and avalonjohn for helping me so far.

I was leaning toward Corvette Central medium gloss black, which in my mind would be close to a semi-gloss black. Thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge and expertise with me.

Kevin

Kevin-------

As far as I know, other than the "silver" leading edge, the grilles were natural black plastic. They were not painted, at all. As far as what paint matches the black plastic best, I cannot advise. I don't think there is a paint that will not appear as paint.

[Kevin S.]

Re: Early 1969 Front Grill Black Paint Question

Hi Joe,
Thanks for the reply. That would make sense to me, that the grills were natural black plastic and only the leading edges were painted silver. Unfortunately, somewhere in the history of the car the grills were painted all silver. I'm not sure there is a way to get all of the silver off all of the surfaces back to natural black plastic? Maybe Dot 3 brake fluid? This little "grill restoration" has turned out to be a bit more challenging than I first estimated.

Perhaps I'll try the Dot 3 brake fluid and see how well the center grill cleans up. Smaller part, less nooks and crannies.

Kevin

[Grant W.]

Re: Early 1969 Front Grill Black Paint Question

Hi Kevin
I would strip it all off with stripper
Then repaint the edges silver spray can. but you will have to mask off areas
I am at work and I have the exact silver to replicate so send me an email

Grant