OEM '78 K10 grill and front end details

[JohnnyPopper]

By accident, about 5 years ago, I happened on a junkyard about to close, go out of business.

Was looking for rally wheels and beauty rings for the '80 C10. Found them btw.

On this bench sat a grill that I knew was a fit for my '78 K10.

I asked the guy about it, he said "yeah, the guy just wanted the bow tie".

$20.00 Lucky me...

The one that came with the truck was broken, and roached from sand storm. I worked her really hard, sand able primer etc.

So this one was a dream come true.

Used "Wheel Silver paint" and clear coat.

What I want to share with my fellow SB brothers and sisters is the following: Contrast really makes thing pop.

I blacked out the connective tissue in the grill, both vertical and horizontal.

The results make the cells look like they are free floating.

The ring around the headlights do the same.

Don't try after imbibing adult beverages, just sayin...

FWIW, I sanded the interior of the headlight bezels, used high fill primer to fill in the divots, sanded and painted using the same "Wheel Silver"

Last word on this stuff. I don't think rattle can clear coat is made to stand up to UV etc. Find an automotive grade.

[MY1978]

Looks great!!!  Good job.  So the pocks usually found on/in the bezels after sanding and painting with the primer leveled out?  What brand is the silver wheel primer?  My 78, back in 78, came from the factory with the grill having black vertical & horizontal painted around the cells.  The paint kept chipping off so the dealer removed all the paint.  I liked it with the black outlines.  I now have a new grill, as the old one was coming aparing in sections, and the new grill does not have the outline.  I thought about using striping tape, but need to find tape that actually sticks.  Need to find the good, probably expensive, tape so any suggestions are appreciated.

[Shifty]

I like it JP....easy little projects sure can *pop*! 

[JohnnyPopper]

Thanks!

Dupli-color makes both products I used.

'Sandable' primer. Let it get hard, as in 24 hours. Wet sand smooth with 800 grit.

High Performance Wheel Paint 'Silver'

As for the black paint, I used Rustoleum 2X primer/paint satin black.

I used a small paint brush from an art store, bristles maybe 3/4 inch high by 1/2 long by 1/8 wide. Trimmed any stray bristles.

Do NOT try while buzzed from anything you like AND even then, have some solvent ready...

At arms length, and down wind, spray some paint into the cap to dip your brush into.

The first time I tried this years ago was a disaster, ended up repainting the silver and left it alone. This time I actually took my time, and used both hands to steady my application. Still needed solvent...

Glad you liked it, hope this helps. BTW, looks like I need a new bow tie...

[MY1978]

Thanks for all the info.  I had to replace my original bowtie when I replaced the grill.  After 42 years, was looking like crackled glass.  Now is in my shed.

[Shifty]

A fella with a CNC mill should be able to get pretty close, and an artful hand could finish the amber....