Painting the Headlight Buckets and Grille

[Maxrat]

With the car painted, I had to restore the headlight buckets. This is really tedious work. 1st - filed off all the raised pot metal noogies with a small file 2nd - Painted with self etching primer 3rd - Remove primer from chrome 4th - Paint black 5th - remove paint from chrome again. Wow -- this is tedious! Note: I found it best to remove the paint off the chrome using lacquer thinner on a rag tight against my finger. It worked best just after the paint flashed off and was still wet.

 

[moparedtn]

Looking good so far. Stay after it!

 

[Sam69sat]

Those look great! I'll send you the ones for my 67 Coronet R/T and you can do them too while you have all your tools out.

 

[RemCharger]

Fastback grille restoration earns you an extra man card.

 

[Dean Prevolos]

Great job Maxrat, they look great. I started mine and did as follws:

I cleaned the chrome first, light sanded in-between with green scotch pad, then put a film of vasoline (with a old toothbrush) on the chrome before I sprayed the paint. After I sprayed the paint, I took a rag a wiped off the vasoline. Looks good to me

 

[ODZKing]

Actually fairly simple if you tape everything off and use lacquer thinner to wipe off the black from the chrome.
A light coat of polish is all that is needed on the chrome. I do it every car season.
Yours looks fantastic as well.

 

[Dean Prevolos]

Actually fairly simple if you tape everything off and use lacquer thinner to wipe off the black from the chrome.
A light coat of polish is all that is needed on the chrome. I do it every car season.
Yours looks fantastic as well.
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That looks great, you do that every year?

 

[ODZKing]

Well, didn't last year because the car went nowhere all season. But yes.
The pesky bugs and stones make a mess of the black. So I do the same as you, a little sandpaper on a paint stir-stick, sand and repaint. Then wipe off the polished chrome with thinner. Don't forget to hit the headlamp motors too.

Another shot.

 

[Dean Prevolos]

I paln on doing my grille and motors next, thanks for your input.

 

[Maxrat]

Great job Maxrat, they look great. I started mine and did as follws:

I cleaned the chrome first, light sanded in-between with green scotch pad, then put a film of vasoline (with a old toothbrush) on the chrome before I sprayed the paint. After I sprayed the paint, I took a rag a wiped off the vasoline. Looks good to me

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Nice job. Yesterday I worked on the turn signal covers. Today I'm going to work on the grille. Headlight buckets are done.

 

[67 Mopar]

Kids wanted to do something with the car so...Family Project, (14 years ago)...
I gave the kids some painters tape, 1/8" for the small stuff, and told them to have at it.
It didn't take them very long to mask it front and back. I hit it with the black, and they removed the tape.
They enjoyed doing it.

 

[Maxrat]

Kids wanted to do something with the car so...Family Project, (14 years ago)...
I gave the kids some painters tape, 1/8" for the small stuff, and told them to have at it.
It didn't take them very long to mask it front and back. I hit it with the black, and they removed the tape.
They enjoyed doing it.
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That series of pictures was awesome. I can't believe they did that for you.

 

[Maxrat]

Finally finished. Don't want to do this again.