73-74 Chevy grill question

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DanMcG

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I picked up a 74 grill that is painted silver/argent but it appears to be chrome plated under the paint. Is this typical for this year? I was thinking of stripping the paint if it was all chrome.

Thanks
 

AuroraGirl

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I picked up a 74 grill that is painted silver/argent but it appears to be chrome plated under the paint. Is this typical for this year? I was thinking of stripping the paint if it was all chrome.

Thanks
i dont think the grilles are literally chrome since they are plastic
 

Itali83

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My 74 gmc grill is chrome.
 

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DanMcG

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I'll have to post a pic, cause who would paint a chrome grill
 

Bextreme04

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I'll have to post a pic, cause who would paint a chrome grill
People do dumb stuff all the time. There was a significant period of time where chrome was out and it was the cool thing to have everything painted or blacked out.
 

bucket

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I picked up a 74 grill that is painted silver/argent but it appears to be chrome plated under the paint. Is this typical for this year? I was thinking of stripping the paint if it was all chrome.

Thanks

Yes. The grilles with the chrome leading edge had the argent paint applied over chrome. I don't believe there is much (if at all) chrome plating in the mesh area.
 

DanMcG

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Ok, a little late but here's what I'm talking about. It looks factory but why was it painted over chrome. got me.
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bucket

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Ok, a little late but here's what I'm talking about. It looks factory but why was it painted over chrome. got me.
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Because GM decided it was more cost effective to just give the grille a chrome bath and then spray the silver where they wanted it. As opposed to spraying it in silver and then trying to chrome just the thin leading edge.
 

gotyourgoat

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Because GM decided it was more cost effective to just give the grille a chrome bath and then spray the silver where they wanted it. As opposed to spraying it in silver and then trying to chrome just the thin leading edge.
yep, the chrome is meant to be the accent. This isn't a 50's Cadillac dripping in chrome. The chrome under the painted sections are also likely to not be very smooth or fully covered in chrome as well. In case anyone is thinking they'll take the paint off and have a full chrome grill...you'll likely be very disappointed. lmc does offer full chrome grills for our trucks. That is if you have 250 bucks burning a hole in your pocket and want some bling. :D https://www.lmctruck.com/1973-87-chevy-gmc/custom/cc-1973-87-all-chrome-special-edition-grille
 

DanMcG

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Thanks for the input people, I guess I didn't know they showed chrome on the leading edge only. I always thought they came in chrome or painted. Learned something new again.
 

gotyourgoat

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But...
Bling makes it go faster, right?
Wait.
Makes it get better MPG? I bet that's it.
Damn right faster, the fuel gauge never seems to move, and all the lights seem to be green.

Plus, bugs would never splatter on bling. :burnout:
 

AuroraGirl

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But...
Bling makes it go faster, right?
Wait.
Makes it get better MPG? I bet that's it.
ive never concerned me with the "why" just the shiny
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