Has anyone ever had a '72 front grille rechromed?

[Roger D.]

If so, then what was your experience and results? Also OEM Paints www.oempaints.com has a paint that is advertised to adhere to chrome so that your gray top coat of paint will stay put. I don't really feel like spending $34.00 plus shipping for a half size can of spray paint. Doos anyone have a recommendation for something similar?

Thank you in advance.

Roger

[Pat M.]

Re: Has anyone ever had a '72 front grille rechromed?

I've had 70 grilles rechromed, but the persons who rechromed them put some sort of adhesive down to make the paint stick, and it's worked great.
As to the paint, there was a thread a while back where someone gave a still-good PPG code for the correct charcoal-grey grille paint. Check the archives. I used this code to order some from my local paint guy, and I thought it was perfect, and the cost very reasonable.

[Dennis D.]

Re: Has anyone ever had a '72 front grille rechromed?

I've had 70 grilles rechromed, but the persons who rechromed them put some sort of adhesive down to make the paint stick, and it's worked great.
As to the paint, there was a thread a while back where someone gave a still-good PPG code for the correct charcoal-grey grille paint. Check the archives. I used this code to order some from my local paint guy, and I thought it was perfect, and the cost very reasonable.

I posted that info awhile back from a response Terry left. ( tend to achive that sort of info myself) Don't know why the follow up document photo doesn't show, I'll try to find it. Has the PPG info I believe

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...33431&uid=3956

[Patrick H.]

Re: Has anyone ever had a '72 front grille rechromed?

After rechroming I would recommend using self-etching primer (I use the Sherwin-Williams brand in an aerosol can) and then color with the closest match you can find on the shelf at Lowes/Home Depot/etc. Remember that the original paint was fairly flat and not glossy. With today's "faux finish" paints I've used a few that looked very good. Of course, since Lowes changes their paint brand every 18 months the brand and color are now useless to me so I can't tell you what they were.

Patrick

[Roger D.]

Re: Has anyone ever had a '72 front grille rechromed?

So no one reports any problems with the re-chroming results. My plating shop wants $120.00 per side to unchrome and then rechrome the grilles. They say they can't guarantee the result.

Also thanks Patrick and Dennis. Dennis if you find the PPG number please post.

[Pat M.]

Re: Has anyone ever had a '72 front grille rechromed?

Roger - I believe the PPG # is 32939. And no, I had no trouble having 4 grilles rechromed.

[Roger D.]

Re: Has anyone ever had a '72 front grille rechromed?

Thanks Pat. That gives me a little more confidence that the $ will most likely be well spent. I'll see if I can find that PPG paint.

[Pete B.]

Re: Has anyone ever had a '72 front grille rechromed?

I suggest that you make sure they know that the grill base material is aluminum.

So no one reports any problems with the re-chroming results. My plating shop wants $120.00 per side to unchrome and then rechrome the grilles. They say they can't guarantee the result.

Also thanks Patrick and Dennis. Dennis if you find the PPG number please post.

[Roger D.]

Re: Has anyone ever had a '72 front grille rechromed?

Yea Pete. I gathered from an earlier post that the grille material is aluminum diecast. I have my RH grille with a piece broken off. I took the RH grille to the plater and he unchromed it. I got some rod from www.durafix.com and tested repair on a broken section of another grille (wanted to practice before I tried it on mine) but was unsuccessful in my attempt. I'm going to have to buy another RH grille. I plan to resore my LH grille, i.e., unchrome/rechrome/repaint. I may try using the muggyweld stuff at a later date to try to fix my broken RH.

I understand that the chroming process should use a copper layer first and then the chrome? Is there anything that has to be done to the copper plated surface before it is plated with chrome and if so then should the plating shop I use do all that is required?

[Pat M.]

Re: Has anyone ever had a '72 front grille rechromed?

Richard Fortier, who advertises in the Driveline, repaired, rechromed and repainted one pair of grilles for me. The repairs involved cracks and broken studs, and he did an outstanding job. Even if you don't use him, I'm sure he'd be willing to tell you anything you need to know. I have no connection with Richard other than being a very satisfied customer. Good Luck

[Roger D.]

Re: Has anyone ever had a '72 front grille rechromed?

Thanks Pat. I have Richard's e-mail and phone and have spoken to him before about the repairing my broken grille. I hated to ask him specific questions as he is providing the service was not usre if he would want to give details...on the other hand maybe he would. Guess I won't know unless I ask him.