Odd Grille paint

[lbuch40]

Has anyone else ever seen a grill like this?

It put on by a previous owner. I don’t care for the chrome at the front of the fenders and around the headlights. Can the chrome be painted over?

 

[Steve83]

With enough sandblasting & prep, chrome can be painted. But are you sure it's chromed, and not just a wrap?

 

[thegreatjustino]

Take it to a chrome shop and have them reverse the chroming process.

 

[surfer-b]

KBarS use to sale those if I remember correct

 

[brewchief]

I wonder if it would be better to start with a non chrome grill and sell that to someone who wants it, I'm sure there is probably someone who is looking for one.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[toddz69]

Those were pretty popular 'back in the day'. I'm guessing there might be some person looking for a vintage grille out there?

Todd Z.

 

[lbuch40]

Has anyone else ever seen a grill like this?

It put on by a previous owner. I don’t care for the chrome at the front of the fenders and around the headlights. Can the chrome be painted over?

Thanks for all the ideas. Selling/trading might be the best way to go. Hate to change it if there is someone out there that might be looking for one. I like the chrome actual grille.portion, Its the chrome fender caps that don’t do anything for me. I’ve never seen another like it.

 

[Bajabrewer]

You can still get them new.

https://shop.broncograveyard.com/66-68-Bronco-AFT-Chrome-Grill-Shell/productinfo/14000C/

 

[Justin Palmer]

Thanks for all the ideas. Selling/trading might be the best way to go. Hate to change it if there is someone out there that might be looking for one. I like the chrome actual grille.portion, Its the chrome fender caps that don’t do anything for me. I’ve never seen another like it.

One of the most recognizable Broncos out there.

 

[lbuch40]

One of the most recognizable Broncos out there.

NICE!! I am now enlightened!!

 

[Justin Palmer]

NICE!! I am now enlightened!!

I agree with you…. It definitely is not my favorite either.

 

[DirtDonk]

Around here it seemed that a lot of red Broncos were running around with that chrome grille setup. Used to see them a lot back in the '70's and '80's.
May have been a lot of folks looking to gussy up their red rigs, or maybe those that already had owned Broncos and new the pitfalls wanted to keep the front paint from chipping away on the nose from normal wear and tear and figured chrome was the way to go.

Paul

 

[lbuch40]

Interesting. I can see that at one time my Bronco was red when the blue paint chips off. I think the original color on this 69 was light blue.

Speaking of colors, How might a guy find a color chart of the original Bronco colors? In the ‘70s my dad had one that was a copper or kind of a burnt orange. I think it was a 74 possibly, but not positive. I am looking to paint mine something similar.

 

[DirtDonk]

We have a great thread here about just that subject. If you search "master color thread" or something similar it should be one of the first to pop up.
Once you click into it, go to page #6 (or is it #9?) and you'll start to see actual color charts from PPG and others.

It's actually worth reading from the beginning because of all the actual pictures of Broncos in the various colors.

Have fun!

Paul

 

[lbuch40]

Awesome. THANKS!!

 

[DirtDonk]

I forgot that it does not come right up anymore, with the new forum software's search function. But I did see a post where I'd linked to it in another thread!
This should be it:

https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threads/master-picture-list-of-original-colors.127793/

I'll check it out to verify.

paul

 

[DirtDonk]

My mistake. That's the correct thread, but the charts come in on page #5 first. But continue on later pages as well.

Oh, and whenever looking for colors on Ford charts, always look at bracketing years as well. So if you want to know what was a '74 color for example, look on '73 and '75 charts as well.
You often find Broncos painted colors that "were not available that year" or somesuch.

 

[MATTEYE]

Has anyone else ever seen a grill like this?

It put on by a previous owner. I don’t care for the chrome at the front of the fenders and around the headlights. Can the chrome be painted over?

 

[MATTEYE]

Just reading your post, I do remember seeing those chrome grills back in the day.
Iv been a auto painter for 30+ years and use to be sceptical in painting chrome and wether it would stick to it.
Have painted several chrome parts now with no come backs, not saying that this is the only way. But has been working for me.
I would sand with 220-180 grit thoroughly, for a mechanical scratch. Now this is the key, we get Acid wipes for prep on bare metal including chrome. They fairly easy to use, just be thorough wiping and make sure all area's are wiped. let dry for approximately 10min, then apply primer/sealer and paint,. No need for a etch primer, you just wiped the etch on.
NOTE: might want to use a little flex agent to help with rock chips.
Hope this helps, I just painted a brand new Dodge 3500 front chrome grill this way 6 months ago and still looks fabulous.

Hope things go well, if you decide to paint.

Matt