33 Grille Treatment

[Kamp]

I would love to have the grille chromed but its way outta my budget.

Has anyone looked into or actually done a powder coated grille?

Some of the powder coating I see on exhaust headers looks close to chrome.

[NAZ]

If this is a driver, you're going to have rock chips to deal with which will start looking ugly and are hard to repair. Easiest way to maintain the aluminum grill on a driver is to use fine scotchbrite to "polish" it and buff-out road blemishes.

[progmgr1]

Check out Hot Rod Jim's build thread. IIRC, he had his grill polished and it looked great! Much less cost than plating and easy to touch up as required. You could probably put clear or a product like Ghost Shield over it if you're concerned about road debris. Keith HR #894

[Robodent]

I had my grille polished. Is it perfect? No. It could use some more work around the edges of the vertical slats. I thought about painting or powder coating but the maintenance end of touching it up all the time wasn’t for me. You’d be surprised on what a good polish guy could do with it. I looked Around for a reasonable Crome plating guy but it was either turned down or way out of my budget. Rob

[FFinisher]

Three photos, The black truck is powder coated with the edges painted body color. The Barret Jackson truck is done the same way, The white truck is polished.

[AJT '33]

I actually ended up having my grill powder coated a base color then cleared. I thin painted the outer rim with the same HOK paint as my car, turned out great and has been very durable.
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For the A2 color I have a touch up paint with clear along with a process for the touch up as necessary. At least once a season I can touch it up and blend appropriately, just don't follow dump truck or other larger vehicles closely, its all part of the game.

[Kamp]

Thanks gang, I had forgotten all about the chips that are going to occur. Looks like a polish job is the way to go for something shiny.

[JOP33]

I ended up Chroming mine and there is definitely a significant cost difference, but to me it was worth as I feel the Grill makes the '33. I have nearly 6000 miles on mine in the last year and no chips or blemishes (as of yet). IMO, the grill just pops so much more with the Chrome, but cost is definitely a valid deterrent. Did opt to polish the Roadster Window Frame though due to the location relative to the eyes.

https://youtu.be/OEq6q-MC_Yc

[wrp]

I ended up Chroming mine and there is definitely a significant cost difference, but to me it was worth as I feel the Grill makes the '33. I have nearly 6000 miles on mine in the last year and no chips or blemishes (as of yet). IMO, the grill just pops so much more with the Chrome, but cost is definitely a valid deterrent. Did opt to polish the Roadster Window Frame though due to the location relative to the eyes.

https://youtu.be/OEq6q-MC_YcI can tell you for a fact, that video Jamie has is horrible. That grill stopped the entire autorama when he rolled in I don't think I have seen anything as stunning on a car of any kind. You can't capture how great that grill looks on film

[33wanabe]

I had my grill polished and chrome powder coated, I have 5000 mi. and no chips so far. I think it cost about $100.