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> How to remove chrome plating from fog light grills
Geezer914
post Aug 10 2024, 09:39 AM
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What is the best way to remove chrome plating from plastic fog light grills?
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technicalninja
post Aug 10 2024, 09:46 AM
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(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

I don't think that is possible but if someone else has "broken the code" I'm all EARS!
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brant
post Aug 10 2024, 09:49 AM
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It’s plastic -chrome

I’ve sanded them in all of f the sleeves to and painted then with automotive single stage with good results.


Still periodically chips off on the track and has to be resprayed along with the bumpers. Every other year
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brant
post Aug 10 2024, 09:49 AM
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And


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mepstein
post Aug 10 2024, 09:54 AM
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Scuff really good and paint or easier yet, buy new.
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brant
post Aug 10 2024, 09:55 AM
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They also used to sell un chromed versions in raw plastic
For painting
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brant
post Aug 10 2024, 09:57 AM
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I use 80 grit followed by 320 grit
It’s a lot of work
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dr914@autoatlanta.com
post Aug 10 2024, 10:28 AM
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we just had all of the fog light and horn grills made in chrome was virtually the same price for the quantity we did, have probably 500 sets of each. Chrome looks nice, the factory installed them on the black bumpered cars 73-74. The only painted ones were on non appearance cars 70-72 with the color keyed bumpers
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76-914
post Aug 11 2024, 10:25 AM
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As Brandt said the chrome is plastic too. I'm a firm believer in this stuff......

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technicalninja
post Aug 11 2024, 10:46 AM
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Ha!

I saw that "fabric" paint at the local FLAPS and thought "cheapskate way to hide stains on fabric. WHO would ever use that?"

Bout a month later I'm buying a can of black and red...

I color changed a tan Miata windbreak to match a MazdaSpeed red and black interior.

Came out PERFECT!

Looks so "factory" no-one even questions it.

It's lasted 8 years now, still perfect.

I too, am a fan of that paint...

Nice to know it does fine on plastic as well.
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rgalla9146
post Aug 11 2024, 11:42 AM
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I have one original black fog lamp grill. It was never chrome.
Would love to have a mate to it. Have to check which side I have.
It raises a question.
Could an early (70-72) non-appearance, painted bumper car have fog lamps ?
If so... the grills would be body color. Anyone ever see this ?
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Shivers
post Aug 11 2024, 12:07 PM
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QUOTE(rgalla9146 @ Aug 11 2024, 10:42 AM) *

I have one original black fog lamp grill. It was never chrome.
Would love to have a mate to it. Have to check which side I have.
It raises a question.
Could an early (70-72) non-appearance, painted bumper car have fog lamps ?
If so... the grills would be body color. Anyone ever see this ?

My original is a 72, non appearance group. I bought two from George in the early 90's ,with the fog light holes. One was a no chrome painted black and the other was chrome painted black. Never found a replacement. I'm thinking about an old model rocket trick, we'd use epoxy and micro bubbles to blend the control fins into the body. It is sand-able and fairly strong.
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914sgofast2
post Aug 11 2024, 12:34 PM
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I put the old grilles in a plastic container (with a lid) and sprayed them with Easy-Off brand oven cleaner using the contents of an entire can. Then I let the grilles soak for a week in the oven cleaner. Removed and washed off the oven cleaner with water; and then sanded the remaining bits of chrome off with 200 grit sand paper.
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JeffBowlsby
post Aug 11 2024, 02:55 PM
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The 74 LE fog light grilles are also painted satin black.

Black painted grilles are readily available.
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Olympic 914
post Aug 11 2024, 04:58 PM
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What about using a glass bead blaster on the chrome ones.
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Geezer914
post Aug 12 2024, 04:47 AM
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I'll try the oven cleaner, thanks.
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DC_neun_vierzehn
post Aug 12 2024, 05:41 AM
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QUOTE(76-914 @ Aug 11 2024, 10:25 AM) *

As Brandt said the chrome is plastic too. I'm a firm believer in this stuff......

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Thanks for sharing. I’m going to give this a shot on my tired black fog grilles. Do you prime before painting them or just sand first?
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TonyA
post Aug 13 2024, 06:41 AM
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Wear a good mask while spraying that oven cleaner. I have used that method to remove anodizing off of aluminum pieces.
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TonyA
post Aug 13 2024, 06:41 AM
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Wear a good mask while spraying that oven cleaner. I have used that method to remove anodizing off of aluminum pieces.
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76-914
post Aug 13 2024, 05:07 PM
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QUOTE(DC_neun_vierzehn @ Aug 12 2024, 04:41 AM) *

QUOTE(76-914 @ Aug 11 2024, 10:25 AM) *

As Brandt said the chrome is plastic too. I'm a firm believer in this stuff......

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Thanks for sharing. I’m going to give this a shot on my tired black fog grilles. Do you prime before painting them or just sand first?

Neither. I just cleaned them with some "LA Awesome". I suppose any powerful detergent like Simple Green will work. BTW, I've used this on lots of plastic trim with great results that stand up to the test of time. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
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