Challenger grill color?

[gargoyle]

Hello all!

Just a quick question.. I"m restoring my car, and now i'm on the grill.  I striped all paint off to find the darker silver color under a bad rattle-can black paint job.  Now, i DO like the way back grills look on a 1970 Challenger.  But what is correct for an R/T SE?   black or silver?  I've seen SOOOO many pics of both colors (even the lighter silver) on '70's.   The car is an original Plum Crazy, so.. does that make a difference on what color of grill goes on this car?

Thanks guys! 

Ron

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Ron,

  There are many people out there who took liberties with their grills, myself included.

Any R/T car would have a black grill from the factory, including RT/SE's. Your grill probably isn't the original one.

[burdar]

 

Base models, SE's and A66 cars had the argent grills.  R/T's and T/A's had black grills.  You also see a lot of people paint the center section of the grill black but that's incorrect.  They most likely get painted because re-anodising is expensive.

Correctly detailed 1970 grill...
http://www.moparaction.com/Article/PoP/J.jpg

[gargoyle]

SWEET!!!   Thanks guys! 

[Fern]

Can the center section of the grill be painted to look like it was from original?
If it can what color would it be? 
Thanks

[burdar]

Center section was anodised originally.  You can have it restored but it's going to be very expensive.  That's why you see so many just painted black.

[Fern]

Center section was anodised originally.  You can have it restored but it's going to be very expensive.  That's why you see so many just painted black.

Do you think there is a color that would give the appearance of being anodised?
This car is already draining my wallet.

[burdar]

Anodising is just a protective coating ontop of aluminum.  It can be stripped off with oven cleaner but you have to be very careful.  The oven cleaner will eat aluminum if you leave it on there too long.  Once the anodising is removed the aluminum will start to oxidise.  I suppose you could spray a clear coat over the aluminum to protect it.  I've heard good things about Eastwoods Diamond clear. 

This is just an idea.  I'd find out what other options there are from 1970 owners.

[gargoyle]

Well, i started the projext of restoring the grill.  Anyone have ideas on how to get the right  texture for the grill?  it's a pretty rough surface... i know that eastwood makes an argent  textured paint for centercaps... but that isn't even close to the grill texture.   ideas?

[Chryco Psycho]

I used SEM trim black paint , the black grilles had smooth texture , the argent grilles had a rough surface

[burdar]

You'll have to go to Rodger Gibson Restorations for the correct grill argent.  It's expensive! 

[gargoyle]

ok.  THANKS  again!   

[1970 RT Challenger 1970]