Getting my grille ready

[Belgium R/T -68]

It's time to get the grille ready since the fenders and hood are in place. The grilleframe is sandblasted and primed but I have to wait for some warmer wheather to
do the final sanding and painting. In the meantime I'm experimenting with the bezels and the headlightdoors. Sprayed the silver and used most of my christmasvacation
to mask of the silverpart to be able to spray the black. Now I'm thinking of using flat clearcoat for protection, anybody did that? Shouldn't that make it easier
to keep it clean from flies and other insects or will it create a strange nonstock look?

per

[y3chargerrt]

Per, Does your wife know what your using her ironing board for? 

[Belgium R/T -68]

Per, Does your wife know what your using her ironing board for? 

Actually she's always asking me if I have seen her cleaningproducts and cloughs, especially nailpolishremover and stuff like that is good for cleaning autoparts.

Per

[Silver R/T]

Clear coat will give it gloss, you don't want gloss unless you don't care about keeping it original color. See if you can get some flat clear coat somewhere.

[Belgium R/T -68]

Clear coat will give it gloss, you don't want gloss unless you don't care about keeping it original color. See if you can get some flat clear coat somewhere.

Thanks, I ment flat. I don't want a glossy look.

Per

[BBKNARF]

Hey Per, I've seen your work no mater what you do it looks great. If you take a trip to Ontario, Canada give me a call maybe you can do mine.  

[six-tee-nine]

Per,

One of the few parts i have already restored are my grill...... I decided not to use any clearcoat ofer the rest of the paint. It is hard to find a good flat clearcoat that does'nt change the look of the other color or wont start to shine up.....

2 solutions :

1) drive slow so you dont get flies onto the grill 
2) repaint grill every 2 years or so.....

[Sixtyeight]

Hi Per,

I didn't use clearcoat also, and it's still on for almost 5 years now...

Jeroen

[Belgium R/T -68]

Just made a test on my headlightbezels with a flat clearcoat, the upper one has it. I can't see any difference so I guess it can't hurt.

Per

[Charger-Bodie]

I used flat clear on mine too. Much more durable and easy to clean,mainly because you are not wearing the silver paint off.

[Belgium R/T -68]

I used flat clear on mine too. Much more durable and easy to clean,mainly because you are not wearing the silver paint off.

Just the thought I had aswell Brian. When I go for a full stockresto I don't want to redo things like grille, dash and other detailwork. Just a repaint
and some swapps in the enginebay.

Per

[Belgium R/T -68]

Anybody ever mounted the grilleframe on the car first and then the rest? Is it possible to reach everything like that? The reason I ask is because
I'm always alone and then it's easier when things are lighter when you assemble it.

Per

[Charger-Bodie]

Anybody ever mounted the grilleframe on the car first and then the rest? Is it possible to reach everything like that? The reason I ask is because
I'm always alone and then it's easier when things are lighter when you assemble it.

Per

Assemble it first Per....It really isnt too bad for one guy to set in there,Ive done many times.

[twodko]

Hello per,

I'm currently working on my grille as well.
From what I've read its easier to install the entire grille assembly on the car. Put a couple layers of tape around the front fender edges and gently attach the grille. Some of the parts like the valance lights are much easier to install before the grille goes in. The bumper and braces can be installed as a unit too but tape off the valance's top edge with a couple layers of tape and carefully slide the bumper/braces in and bolt it up.

I know what you mean by working alone, however these are 2 tasks must be done with 2 people to avoid any damage to the paint. I'm having 2 friends help me with the grill so my hands will be free to line up the inner fender bolts. Good luck and let us know how you are doing it. Cheers

Tom

[Belgium R/T -68]

Tom,
Do you mean that you mount the front valance before the grille? I removed mine before the grille was out and that was a big PITA.

Per

[Charger-Bodie]

Tom,
Do you mean that you mount the front valance before the grille? I removed mine before the grille was out and that was a big PITA.

Per

The valance should be installed last,after the grille then the bumper,and finally the valance.

[Belgium R/T -68]

Tom,
Do you mean that you mount the front valance before the grille? I removed mine before the grille was out and that was a big PITA.

Per

The valance should be installed last,after the grille then the bumper,and finally the valance.

Just what I thought.

Per