Grille restoration / refinishing

tjet · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 6:41 pm Post subject: Grille restoration / refinishing

I've found a few posts on painting the entire grille, but not so much on restoring the chrome border.

Has anyone refinished the chrome? If so, what did you use & are you happy with the results?

IdahoDoug · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 8:36 pm Post subject:

X2. I used the recommended Krylon Satin Black Fusion plastic paint and absolutely love the finish and "like new" look of the front grilles. But when I see a picture of someone else's excellent shape original grill with the silvery trim line I think "Hmm, I miss that original look." It adds just enough surface interest on the front that if someone came up with a good method, I would also be interested in doing it.

DougM
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

GreenMachineVW · Samba Member Joined: August 08, 2008 Posts: 645

Silver Sharpies and a steady hand.

insyncro · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 9:08 pm Post subject:

http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_1011_607/upper-front-grill-with-rectangular-head-lights.html

IdahoDoug · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 9:37 pm Post subject:

That would pay for a lot of Sharpie's, Dylan! Heh..
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

insyncro · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 9:56 pm Post subject:

Painting plastic and using a marker to color in faux chrome will not hold up to road debris but will look OK the day you do it.

I'll take a new one and be happy for a decade+.

termuehlen · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 10:06 pm Post subject:

Yeah! And what about the radiator grill as well? My 88 Westy radiator grill is not black. It is a dark gray. Has anyone tried to restore that to the original finish? Is it supposed to be the same color as my original bumpers (Graphite LH7B)?

Even my headlight grill does not really look black. It is certainly darker than my radiator grill, but not as dark as the front spoiler. Has it just oxidized? Was it originally black with the chrome trim finish, or was it a very dark gray?
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1988 Westfalia automatic Subaru OBD1
1986 syncro tintop wbx

61Scout · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 10:14 pm Post subject:

My vanagon's grille chrome is just fine, thankfully Smile

But I have thought about this problem because I have a Nissan with a chrome grille that's peeling. Anyway, what I thought about was using something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bubbles-Free-Car-Mirror-Ch...mp;vxp=mtr

I think this would work to bring back the chrome strip, but cutting it is the challenge. If someone could come up with a program file, it would be easy enough for any vinyl sticker/sign making place to cut it out. Another cool thing is these sheets come in a variety of colors.

-Kevin
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syncrodoka · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 10:18 pm Post subject:

ThankYouJerry · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 11:01 pm Post subject:

Maybe this would work?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VB9Y0K/ref=wl_it_dp_o...&psc=1

Someone else in another thread recommended it for refinishing emblems and said it worked well and holds up well.

Of course no pen or paint will take the place of real chrome, but maybe it would be "good enough" on a budget?
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Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

Taht sheet Chrome looks interesting--some kind of Mylar perhaps.

The only issue with using that would be the cutting of it dead nuts straight, the full length of the grill--this away, and that away--

Paint will never look original--but if a guy would clear coat over the Polish chome--it may give it some depth to look close.
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T.K.

IdahoDoug · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 12:20 am Post subject:

Dumb question, but was that stripe around the upper grille a chrome, or was it a silvery paint? I guess I'm used to seeing them in their weathered state, so am not sure. In their weathered state they look like weathered silvery paint. Tx.
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

The border on the upper grill was plastic chome--like in the chome pieces in model car kits.

It's not real durable--but it sure look s good when it's new.
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T.K.

IdahoDoug · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 1:00 am Post subject:

Agree - it looks good and really adds something. Hmm. I will check and see if the local craft store has these leafing pens from Krylon. Their claim for durability is really pretty impressive. I think I've seen the stuff on young kids home made custom shirts and the like and it's actually a soft vinyl-esque glossy chrome that would in fact absorb road impact well. Craft stores give me hives, but this may be worth going in....
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

termuehlen · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 11:23 am Post subject:

Thanks Syncrodoka!

I will pull the grills off and look at the backside to figure out how to match the original color best. Right now, I believe all of these finishes are original...just weathered. The front of my van just looks likes various "shades of gray".

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

[/img]
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1988 Westfalia automatic Subaru OBD1
1986 syncro tintop wbx

termuehlen · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 12:13 pm Post subject:

Getting back on topic now, there are "chrome" rattle can finishes that are supposed to be OK. These need to be clear coated to make them last as long as you want them to. Not exactly chrome, but the price might make it worth a try.

Plastikote Chrome Bumper Paint - 615

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CPI0QO/ref=nosim?tag=finishingcominc#productDetails
_________________
1988 Westfalia automatic Subaru OBD1
1986 syncro tintop wbx

?Waldo? · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 12:18 pm Post subject:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=393666&start=0

The hard roller with silver paint sounds easy and looks good as far as replacing the chrome. I'd don't personally care for any of the chrome details and definitely prefer the grille black but to each their own.

Microbusdeluxe · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 12:41 pm Post subject:

A bit off topic, but what have folks found to be the best product to restore the black plastic? I've tried Mother's and wasn't that impressed, ditto to Armor All.
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ThankYouJerry · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 1:12 pm Post subject:

dobryan · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 1:14 pm Post subject:

Krylon Fusion Satin Black paint in a spray can worked well for me.
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Grille restoration / refinishing
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