C3-1971 Grill (Paint/Chrome on bottom row)

[Greg F.]

I'm in the process of repainting the front grills on my 71. As I was cleaning the chrome on the egg-crate portion, I noticed the vertical chrome rails on the bottom row only seemed to have the same cast grey paint as the rest of cast grey areas. Is this accurate? Should the vertical chrome rails be painted or should the chrome be exposed on the bottom row? If anyone has close up pics of their grills....that would be very helpful.

Thanks as always,
Greg

[Chuck S.]

Re: C3-1971 Grill (Paint/Chrome on bottom row)

I'm in the process of repainting the front grills on my 71. As I was cleaning the chrome on the egg-crate portion, I noticed the vertical chrome rails on the bottom row only seemed to have the same cast grey paint as the rest of cast grey areas. Is this accurate? Should the vertical chrome rails be painted or should the chrome be exposed on the bottom row? If anyone has close up pics of their grills....that would be very helpful.

Thanks as always,
Greg

Painted like the rest of the egg crate. There should be a chrome edge on each divider, with the paint ending at a slight step near each outside edge.

After almost 40 years, you're probably seeing erosion and wear on the painted surfaces nearest the road surface.

[Greg F.]

Re: C3-1971 Grill (Paint/Chrome on bottom row)

Thanks Chuck! To make sure I understand correctly...the vertical edges on the bottom row are painted cast grey but the rest of the egg crate shows the chrome edging, correct?

You're right...I see a lot of road wear. It's tough to decipher what is suppose to be chrome or painted. Also, it's tough to reach the bottom row verticals.

Painted like the rest of the egg crate. There should be a chrome edge on each divider, with the paint ending at a slight step near each outside edge.

After almost 40 years, you're probably seeing erosion and wear on the painted surfaces nearest the road surface.

[Alan S.]

Re: C3-1971 Grill (Paint/Chrome on bottom row)

Hi Greg,
I think you have it right.
On my 71 the last full horizontal bar has chrome showing (it completes the last row of chrome 'crates'. The vertical bars that run from that chrome bar down to the base of the grill are painted with no chrome showing on any surface of the bar..
Regards,
Alan

[Greg F.]

Re: C3-1971 Grill (Paint/Chrome on bottom row)

Hi Greg,
I think you have it right.
On my 71 the last full horizontal bar has chrome showing (it completes the last row of chrome 'crates'. The vertical bars that run from that chrome bar down to the base of the grill are painted with no chrome showing on any surface of the bar..
Regards,
Alan

Great! Thanks for the description. You and Chuck clarified my questions nicely! Merry Christmas!

Greg