Chromed 73-74 grille...Has it been done? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Blackstone · 02-19-2007, 04:14 PM

Has anyone ever seen one of these stock grilles chrome plated/dipped? I'd love to see a picture and hear feedback regarding durability. IMO, gray looks dull surrounded by fresh shiny chrome trim.

67mbsc · 02-19-2007, 05:00 PM

I plate Chrome and Gold, over plastic, but if it was plated first. There are other materials available to plate over virgin plastic, I could do it, I'm sure, but never really checked it out.
Let me know if your'e interested.

bigblock73 · 02-19-2007, 06:31 PM

From the factory, the 73/74 grills have the leading edges chromed...so they are not completely grey.

I have heard of people chroming plastic/fiberglass, so I assume it can be done.

Blackstone · 02-20-2007, 09:58 AM

I've found a handful of companies who do it. I'd love to see the end result first, but I suppose there isn't much to lose. There are plenty of used grilles available if I don't like it. Thanks 67mbsc, I just may take you up on that offer if you're up to experimenting. I'll contact you when the time comes.

**tkeduk8r** · 02-20-2007, 11:16 AM

Actually I have two different grilles.. the standard issue grill was just grey plastic... then I have found a few on cheyenne and cheyenne supers that have the leading edges chromed and the rest same gray... I really like the cs grills!!!.. no pics though as its all in storage

...
--Mike

Pyrotechnic · 02-26-2007, 09:27 PM

At one point I had both grills. The one on my 78 came with the truck and had the chrome surround. The chevy emblem was missing from the center and that area was also chromed. My dad noticed that where there were chips in the paint, it was chrome under so my dad took a small jewelers screw driver and scraped the gray paint off the fins of the grill, so the leading edge of everything was chrome. Pretty nice looking. I'm thinking the whole grill may be chrome and they just painted over it. This grill was incorrect for a 78 but I left it because I liked the 73-74 look a lot better. Late last year though someone swerved over into my lane and hit me head on going pretty fast that truck and the grill are now history.

I also have the plain gray grill. Not as exciting as the chrome one but I scored it really cheap to use for a spare.

02-19-2007, 04:14 PM	#1
Blackstone Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Central Maine Posts: 210	Chromed 73-74 grille...Has it been done? Has anyone ever seen one of these stock grilles chrome plated/dipped? I'd love to see a picture and hear feedback regarding durability. IMO, gray looks dull surrounded by fresh shiny chrome trim.

02-19-2007, 05:00 PM	#2
67mbsc Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Posts: 266	Re: Chromed 73-74 grille...Has it been done? I plate Chrome and Gold, over plastic, but if it was plated first. There are other materials available to plate over virgin plastic, I could do it, I'm sure, but never really checked it out. Let me know if your'e interested. __________________ 2% Forever!!!!!!

02-19-2007, 06:31 PM	#3
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,824	Re: Chromed 73-74 grille...Has it been done? From the factory, the 73/74 grills have the leading edges chromed...so they are not completely grey. I have heard of people chroming plastic/fiberglass, so I assume it can be done. __________________ Jeff 73-87.com 73-87.com Facebook page 73-87 cab corner 6x9 speaker brackets for sale 67-72 cab corner speaker brackets for sale 47-54 cab corner speaker brackets for sale

02-20-2007, 09:58 AM	#4
Blackstone Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Central Maine Posts: 210	Re: Chromed 73-74 grille...Has it been done? I've found a handful of companies who do it. I'd love to see the end result first, but I suppose there isn't much to lose. There are plenty of used grilles available if I don't like it. Thanks 67mbsc, I just may take you up on that offer if you're up to experimenting. I'll contact you when the time comes.

02-20-2007, 11:16 AM	#5
tkeduk8r Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Alexandria, MN Posts: 1,462	Re: Chromed 73-74 grille...Has it been done? Actually I have two different grilles.. the standard issue grill was just grey plastic... then I have found a few on cheyenne and cheyenne supers that have the leading edges chromed and the rest same gray... I really like the cs grills!!!.. no pics though as its all in storage ... --Mike __________________ 63 C20 2WD, 230/SM420/4.11 73K 68 C30 dump truck, 327,SM425,4.56 66K original 68 C10 2WD SWB Stepper, 250/3-tree/3.73 66K.... Wifes 68 Buick Skylark Custom Conv., 350/TH400/2.56 In our family since '79 69 GMC 1500 SWB 2WD, 350/TH350/3.73 posi... 70 K10 SWB 4X4 4-sp,ps, pb, tilt, buckets, console, sliding back window (Need AC parts) WIP 72 Chevy K20 4x4 350/350/205/4.56 donor 72 Vette 350/M21/3.70 posi, triple black and super fast 84 Olds Cutlass Brougham 350/2004r/4.11 was Dad's

02-26-2007, 09:27 PM	#6
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Re: Chromed 73-74 grille...Has it been done? At one point I had both grills. The one on my 78 came with the truck and had the chrome surround. The chevy emblem was missing from the center and that area was also chromed. My dad noticed that where there were chips in the paint, it was chrome under so my dad took a small jewelers screw driver and scraped the gray paint off the fins of the grill, so the leading edge of everything was chrome. Pretty nice looking. I'm thinking the whole grill may be chrome and they just painted over it. This grill was incorrect for a 78 but I left it because I liked the 73-74 look a lot better. Late last year though someone swerved over into my lane and hit me head on going pretty fast that truck and the grill are now history. I also have the plain gray grill. Not as exciting as the chrome one but I scored it really cheap to use for a spare.



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