Polish chrome plating on my grill? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Russell · 10-28-2005, 09:01 PM

Hey guys!

My GMC's grill is actually a really fancy grill. I've never bothered to clean it up any before, but tonight while I had it, I noticed that all the leading edges on the grill are actually chrome plated.

I've decided that I'm gonna paint the fins in all of the wells in the grill flat black, and want to polish up the chrome on the leading edges. The grill has an emblem, and two paintable metal strips that go along the center of the grill, with the strips being painted the body color.

My concern about polishing them with SOS pads like I have done on my bumperettes and wheels is that they'll take the chrome plating right off.

Here is a pic for your viewing pleasure

As you can see, I already painted one section of the grill. All the edges around it are actually chrome, though quite dirty. My only beef with my truck is that the front end was always really shiny, and looked like it stuck out, I think that if I shoot the fins flat black, it'll add a lot of depth to the grill.

**N2TRUX** · 10-28-2005, 09:18 PM

That is plastic chrome. DO NOT use steel wool on it. If it won't clean up with a brush, it probably isn't going to clean up....

TrainD5115 · 10-29-2005, 08:31 PM

I used a soft cloth and some chrome cleaner on the plastic chrome on my headlight bezels Russell. It worked good. I don't know if your grill is the same type of material though. You may want to try it on a discreet area first.

hobbz · 10-29-2005, 08:51 PM

you could always sand it smooth and tape it off and repaint it with chrome paint...

Russell · 10-29-2005, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrainD5115

I used a soft cloth and some chrome cleaner on the plastic chrome on my headlight bezels Russell. It worked good. I don't know if your grill is the same type of material though. You may want to try it on a discreet area first.

Should be. Looks like the entire grill was dipped in the plastic chrome stuff, then they painted on top of it.

I'll see what I can make work, there is some pitting in it from stones or whatever, but I'm not too terribly concerned about it. The truck was never intended to be a show piece anyways, lol

About that chrome paint, I've usually found that the chrome shine doesn't last long, and that if anything touches it, or if it gets wet, it just becomes a dull silver instead.

augie · 10-31-2005, 02:17 PM

Once you clean the dirt off and paint the fins, I think you'll notice a huge difference. Did the same thing this summer with my old GMC grill (81), just the little bit makes a huge difference. Yeah not perfect close up, but looks a lot better now from a few feet away. I also repainted the letters.

Russell · 10-31-2005, 03:36 PM

What color is that orange for the lettering? I need to re-do the lettering both there, and on my cab's trim.

SmittySmith · 10-31-2005, 03:46 PM

Russell,

Suggestion: Go ahead and remove your grill, it isn't difficult and it will make cleaning and painting a whole lot easier. And while you have the grill out, be sure to shoot some black paint on all of the "behind the grill" black area. It will make it look so much better when you put than refurbished grill back on.
Theres only about 6 screws that hold the grill in place.
Post some before/after photos to show us how it comes out.

Regards, Smitty

Hoods69BadBowTie · 10-31-2005, 08:02 PM

I think it will look good in black. That would we sweet if you could post some before and after pictures.
-Later

Russell · 10-31-2005, 10:40 PM

The grill is only in there with one screw to show what it looks like

I'll snap some before shots (less that one 'well' done up) A half and half shot, then a complete shot. Anyone got any idea what color I should be using for the GMC emblem?

SanitysBane · 10-31-2005, 11:14 PM

How about red?

Russell · 11-01-2005, 12:46 AM

lol, it was a sort of orange color from the factory. Similar to the color of my forum name...

10-28-2005, 09:01 PM	#1
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	Polish chrome plating on my grill? Hey guys! My GMC's grill is actually a really fancy grill. I've never bothered to clean it up any before, but tonight while I had it, I noticed that all the leading edges on the grill are actually chrome plated. I've decided that I'm gonna paint the fins in all of the wells in the grill flat black, and want to polish up the chrome on the leading edges. The grill has an emblem, and two paintable metal strips that go along the center of the grill, with the strips being painted the body color. My concern about polishing them with SOS pads like I have done on my bumperettes and wheels is that they'll take the chrome plating right off. Here is a pic for your viewing pleasure As you can see, I already painted one section of the grill. All the edges around it are actually chrome, though quite dirty. My only beef with my truck is that the front end was always really shiny, and looked like it stuck out, I think that if I shoot the fins flat black, it'll add a lot of depth to the grill. Attached Images __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap) Last edited by Russell; 10-28-2005 at 09:03 PM.

10-28-2005, 09:18 PM	#2
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: Polish chrome plating on my grill? That is plastic chrome. DO NOT use steel wool on it. If it won't clean up with a brush, it probably isn't going to clean up.... __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

10-29-2005, 08:31 PM	#3
TrainD5115 North Coast, baby! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Toledo, OH Posts: 437	Re: Polish chrome plating on my grill? I used a soft cloth and some chrome cleaner on the plastic chrome on my headlight bezels Russell. It worked good. I don't know if your grill is the same type of material though. You may want to try it on a discreet area first. __________________ Brad 79 Scottsdale C20 350/350 3.73's Still running full CA smog gear!

10-29-2005, 08:51 PM	#4
hobbz Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: ashland, ky Posts: 632	Re: Polish chrome plating on my grill? you could always sand it smooth and tape it off and repaint it with chrome paint... __________________ Hobbz-Garage 1987 Short Step 350/350

10-31-2005, 02:17 PM	#6
augie Waiting for Paul to Open Safe Join Date: May 2005 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 4,570	Re: Polish chrome plating on my grill? Once you clean the dirt off and paint the fins, I think you'll notice a huge difference. Did the same thing this summer with my old GMC grill (81), just the little bit makes a huge difference. Yeah not perfect close up, but looks a lot better now from a few feet away. I also repainted the letters.

10-31-2005, 03:36 PM	#7
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	Re: Polish chrome plating on my grill? What color is that orange for the lettering? I need to re-do the lettering both there, and on my cab's trim. __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

10-31-2005, 03:46 PM	#8
SmittySmith '82 GMC Sierra Classic Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 82	Re: Polish chrome plating on my grill? Russell, Suggestion: Go ahead and remove your grill, it isn't difficult and it will make cleaning and painting a whole lot easier. And while you have the grill out, be sure to shoot some black paint on all of the "behind the grill" black area. It will make it look so much better when you put than refurbished grill back on. Theres only about 6 screws that hold the grill in place. Post some before/after photos to show us how it comes out. Regards, Smitty

10-31-2005, 08:02 PM	#9
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Re: Polish chrome plating on my grill? I think it will look good in black. That would we sweet if you could post some before and after pictures. -Later __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

10-31-2005, 10:40 PM	#10
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	Re: Polish chrome plating on my grill? The grill is only in there with one screw to show what it looks like I'll snap some before shots (less that one 'well' done up) A half and half shot, then a complete shot. Anyone got any idea what color I should be using for the GMC emblem? __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

10-31-2005, 11:14 PM	#11
SanitysBane Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,121	Re: Polish chrome plating on my grill? How about red? __________________ '96 Nissan Pathfinder '02 Firebird Trans Am. '88 K5 Blazer

11-01-2005, 12:46 AM	#12
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	Re: Polish chrome plating on my grill? lol, it was a sort of orange color from the factory. Similar to the color of my forum name... __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.