Headlight bezel restoration

Silver Square · Aug 6, 2024

Has anybody restored their original metal headlight bezels for the '73-78 trucks? Mine are missing the argent paint that should be on the recessed part around the headlight. Curious as to what everyone has done to prep the surface, what primers and what paints are ideal for this. Thanks.

FireTruck1984 · Aug 6, 2024

prep prep prep.. thorough cleaning, scuff down to 220-320. Clean again with panel prep or rubbing alcohol. Careful masking, Quality automotive paint and finish with 3 light coats of satin clear. Automotive Touchup is a brand I like.

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Silver Square · Aug 6, 2024

Thanks. Any particular kind of primer to use? I'm not a painter, but I figure something as small as this I could probably give it a shot haha.

Grit dog · Aug 6, 2024

I was hoping it was about restoring the chrome part.
Yeah clean it up and paint good lines.

HotWheelsBurban · Aug 7, 2024

IIRC 73 and 74 the factory color for the recess around the headlights is dark gray, looks almost black. 75 they went to the Argent (silver) color.
Another thing that looks cool on these is to color match it to the primary color on the truck. Dad painted the ones on his 75 Sierra Classic Willoway Green (close to a mint or sea mist green, but a factory color in '75) and it really looked sharp.

Silver Square · Aug 7, 2024

Grit dog said:
I was hoping it was about restoring the chrome part.
Yeah clean it up and paint good lines.

I plan to get some polishing compound and use my drill. Got some polishing pads for it. Just go at it until it's stops getting shinier lol.

Anyone know what kind of primer I should use? Not sure if it would be the same stuff for these chrome bezels as you'd use on plain metal or not.

Silver Square · Aug 7, 2024

HotWheelsBurban said:
IIRC 73 and 74 the factory color for the recess around the headlights is dark gray, looks almost black. 75 they went to the Argent (silver) color.
Another thing that looks cool on these is to color match it to the primary color on the truck. Dad painted the ones on his 75 Sierra Classic Willoway Green (close to a mint or sea mist green, but a factory color in '75) and it really looked sharp.

My truck is a light silver, so I'm not sure how good that would look. I haven't decided if I want to go black or the argent. I'm guessing it would be easiest to find the black paint though. Probably look best on there too.

Headlight bezel restoration

Silver Square

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FireTruck1984

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Silver Square

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Grit dog

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HotWheelsBurban

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Silver Square

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