Anyone know if the Smash Hit grill guard is stainless or chrome plated?

[Bullet Bob]

Got a smash hit grill guard that I’m wanting to keep. Having a hard time telling if the round stock is stainless or very thickly coated chrome that’s extremely dull. Know all of the support pieces are carbon steel. Don’t remember anything other than the logo ever being shiny. Planning on trying to polish out what I could and painting the supports. Just don’t want to go super abrasive/aggressive if it’s chrome and if it’s stainless go ahead and polish it with rouge from rough to fine. Leaning on it just being a heavy chrome plate that’s dull but I’ve been wrong.

I’ll post some pictures tonight as I thought I had some on my phone and currently at work. Back story this was my grandfather’s main truck from when I was a kid up until he passed. Therefore I’m trying to keep as much of the little things as possible that I feel makes it his truck even with my changes to update it and make it mine also.

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

Got a smash hit grill guard that I’m wanting to keep. Having a hard time telling if the round stock is stainless or very thickly coated chrome that’s extremely dull. Know all of the support pieces are carbon steel. Don’t remember anything other than the logo ever being shiny. Planning on trying to polish out what I could and painting the supports. Just don’t want to go super abrasive/aggressive if it’s chrome and if it’s stainless go ahead and polish it with rouge from rough to fine. Leaning on it just being a heavy chrome plate that’s dull but I’ve been wrong.

I’ll post some pictures tonight as I thought I had some on my phone and currently at work. Back story this was my grandfather’s main truck from when I was a kid up until he passed. Therefore I’m trying to keep as much of the little things as possible that I feel makes it his truck even with my changes to update it and make it mine also.

The Perry Company still exists near Waco, Texas. They no longer make pickup accessories, but specialize in tractor and heavy equipment accessories. You might give them a call or email and see if they have any specs on the truck parts/accessories they used to make. May be in the files somewhere, or an old time employee who remembers?
I know even into the square body trucks era, they were making the grill guards. I have one for my old GMC, and I've seen them on many eras of pickups. I think the one I have is chromed steel; I know for sure it's solid bar stock. That sob is heavy!!!

 

[TotalyHucked]

We have one on our '67, I'm guessing it's stainless of some kind although ours is rusty

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[Bullet Bob]

Gave Perry Co a call and the guy said for me to send him a couple pictures of it and he would look it up. Then let me know the coatings that were available and what they believe mine is.

 

[85K304SPD]

Grab a magnet and check it. Stainless is not magnetic and does not rust. Chrome plated steel is magnetic and will rust when exposed.

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

Grab a magnet and check it. Stainless is not magnetic and does not rust. Chrome plated steel is magnetic and will rust when exposed.

I'll have to check the one I have, when I can get to it, it's in the back of the truck, attached to the bumper and splash pan(along with many other parts).

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

Here's pictures I took 2 years ago, of a Smash Hit guard on a '54 GMC at Conroe swap meet.
I would wager this one is not stainless steel....but it prolly is near as old as the truck.

 

[Bullet Bob]

Grab a magnet and check it. Stainless is not magnetic and does not rust. Chrome plated steel is magnetic and will rust when exposed.

Thanks it’s going to be chrome plated then. Guess that answers my question on how to go about trying to bring it back to shiny if possible.