Restoring 70 Challenger Grill, where do you get the right paint?

[Glennster]

After trying many ways to clean 500 little square holes on my grill, I've finally got them ALL clean. There was 38 years worth of dirt, grime and oxidation to cut through before I got to the original silver colored aluminum.
I need to find out where to buy the correct paint/finish to maintain the original factory look. There are two places on the grill that need painted/finished. First the 500 aluminum squares that make up the ''grill'' itself. Second, the bottom part of the grill or what I would call the ''pan'' section. This section (and part of the headlight bezels) have a light gray/charcoal color paint with a ruff surface.
 Can you guys give me some help locating the proper paint/finish for these?
Any help is GREATLY appreciated!!!!!!!!

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Your grill is the same as mine. The outer is dark argent silver. Check out Totally Auto.

http://www.totallyautoinc.com/

That center egg crate section should be natural aluminum, but I painted mine black because I hated seeing it tarnish before my eyes.   


   Mike

[Glennster]

THANKS, you got me half way there. Now I can paint the pan section of the grill and do the headlight bezels at the same time. Sweeeeeeeeeet!!!
I'll order the paint from Totally Auto Monday..................

 Do you know what the factory finish was on the egg crate section of the grill???

[hemiken]

Their are different colors for different models.  R/T's had a Black grille and SE's had a natural unpainted colored grille.

[Glennster]

Mine is not an R/T, I've just got a little 318 - 2 barrel. It was a natural aluminum color I think, it was REAL dirty. If there was a finish on the aluminum (I gotta believe there was), it's gone now. I used so mighty powerful stuff to get past the mess that was on that grill.
I figure  Dodge had to put some kind of finish on the aluminum.
What was it???
Silver paint?
A clear coat?
Powder coat?
Maybe Santa's elf's came in at night and put a magical spit shine on it.
Where can I get an Elf?
For the love of God man, somebody help me!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm pretty sure I've lost my little mind..................................................

[ksierens]

My 70 R/T's center section was not painted, just the satin black on outer parts.  Here is a shot of the grill from an old Dodge sales flyer, and I even check some of my old sales material and they also show the center as not painted, just natural.

http://www.bobsclassicmopar.com/70ChallengerRT.jpg

[FY1Cuda]

If you're working on a budget and the grill still has the texture, consider the Duplicolor graphite-color wheel paint.  It's available at most auto parts stores and is very durable.

[FY1 RT SE]

Unless you have a Challenger 500 the eggcrate center section is bright dipped aluminum.