Aftermarket 54 Grill

[Lextech]

Hey Guys,
The grill on my 54 is painted silver and appears to be in good shape. I want to have it chromed if it is in good enough shape after the paint is stripped. I'm looking for some opinions about having it plated or replacing it. I am a BIG fan of OEM parts and I think I would prefer to have mine plated. However, I'm not opposed to an aftermarket chrome grill. If it is replaced---How is the quality of the aftermarket units? I want it perfect no matter which way I choose.

Jeff

[parkwood]

Originally Posted by Lextech

Hey Guys,
The grill on my 54 is painted silver and appears to be in good shape. I want to have it chromed if it is in good enough shape after the paint is stripped. I'm looking for some opinions about having it plated or replacing it. I am a BIG fan of OEM parts and I think I would prefer to have mine plated. However, I'm not opposed to an aftermarket chrome grill. If it is replaced---How is the quality of the aftermarket units? I want it perfect no matter which way I choose.

Jeff

If you want it perfect and your old grill fits perfect and is not pitted so bad that it can't be chromed, have the old one chromed... the aftermarket ones aren't bad but may not fit as nice as a stock one...

[gale]

Originally Posted by Lextech

Hey Guys,
The grill on my 54 is painted silver and appears to be in good shape. I want to have it chromed if it is in good enough shape after the paint is stripped. I'm looking for some opinions about having it plated or replacing it. I am a BIG fan of OEM parts and I think I would prefer to have mine plated. However, I'm not opposed to an aftermarket chrome grill. If it is replaced---How is the quality of the aftermarket units? I want it perfect no matter which way I choose.

Jeff

I've been wondering the same for my '54. I'm sure I'll have mine re-chromed. We have a couple of small platers here in Houston that manage to stay under the EPA radar probably because of their low volume. They still do it the old fashioned way: copper plate, nickel plate, and then chrome. The result is a finish that looks better than new. I was quoted $500 for all of the parts when I was still driving the truck. Now that I have the cab on a rotisserie and all of the grill pieces loose I'll take them in and see if his price goes up or down. When I saw the inside of the nose piece it's evident someone filled it with Bondo so I need to tap that out first. The plater doesn't care what's on it now, his acid vat strips it off.

[Lextech]

Thanks Guys,
Gale, I will PM you. I am curious about your plater.

Jeff