Raven R code 281 Report post Posted February 29, 2016 I just received my new ford tooling grill. To me it looks like shiney black plastic. My original seems to be more of a flat black. Do these new grills need to be painted flat? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Conway 264 Report post Posted February 29, 2016 Did some ' searching ' and low gloss black from the factory for the grill and the headlight surrounds. Brian Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vicfreg 773 Report post Posted February 29, 2016 Right, the 1970 Mach 1s get the "Argent" paint on the grill and headlight surrounds. I use the SEM plastic paint process. They have a soap, prep, and primer designed especially for plastic. The cleaner takes off any plastic molding process residue, and the primer is really an adhesion promoter which is still wet when you do the first topcoat. You can get the SEM stuff from NPD. They also may have a matching color for the grill. For 1970 they made a custom mix to match the Argent grill color. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BuckeyeDemon 211 Report post Posted February 29, 2016 how do you know your original isn't faded and worn? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raven R code 281 Report post Posted March 1, 2016 how do you know your original isn't faded and worn? I have 2 that are a sort of flat black....my original (low mile 11k car) and another that has been in storage since 1973. Unfortunately both have either a crack or missing segment. Sounds like I may have to paint the new one low gloss black......or find out how much to chrome plate ;) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BuckeyeDemon 211 Report post Posted March 1, 2016 can you post photos of both of them side by side? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raven R code 281 Report post Posted March 1, 2016 Yep.....need a day or so and I can gather all 3 together . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ridge Runner 1,113 Report post Posted March 1, 2016 originally They are a flat mat black it is almost a glass beaded look . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raven R code 281 Report post Posted March 1, 2016 originally They are a flat mat black it is almost a glass beaded look . That's what I thought. So is anyone getting their new ford tooling grill painted? Shiny black is not going on my car.lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BuckeyeDemon 211 Report post Posted March 1, 2016 Yep.....need a day or so and I can gather all 3 together . that would be great. thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BuckeyeDemon 211 Report post Posted March 12, 2016 Yep.....need a day or so and I can gather all 3 together . just a reminder to keep it on your radar. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BuckeyeDemon 211 Report post Posted April 21, 2016 Yep.....need a day or so and I can gather all 3 together . third and final reminder. at this point, it's up to taking responsibility for commitments. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barnett468 418 Report post Posted April 22, 2016 ............... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rsanter 152 Report post Posted April 22, 2016 How about using a baking soda blaster on the grill. Should give the mat finish you want, not be hard on the grill like a harder media, and can't flake off like paint Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raven R code 281 Report post Posted April 22, 2016 top grill is new ford tooling.....bottom 2 are originals. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BuckeyeDemon 211 Report post Posted April 22, 2016 top grill is new ford tooling.....bottom 2 are originals. thank you. great picture. all three look different. which is the one in storage since 73? Do you know the history of that one from storage from 73? Was it on a car that was used and abused or was it a new, never used part kept out of the elements throughout its life? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rsanter 152 Report post Posted April 22, 2016 From the view of someone that worked in plastics....the bottom two grills look sun baked (UV altered) and oxidized. Done someone have a broken grill that they can take a file,or some sand paper to? Get through the surface and you will find what color the grill should really be. The original grill on my 69 looks much more black like the top one. My car has spent most of its life in the garage when it wasn't being driven. As far as surface finish or sheen, that's a another story. That is very much based on the finish of the mold it came out of Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fvike 173 Report post Posted April 22, 2016 I do have a broken grille. I'll have a look at it tomorrow for you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raven R code 281 Report post Posted April 22, 2016 The middle one is off my car (with 11k miles). The bottom one is off the car that was totaled in '73 (it had 35k miles )..... Also, it was a little dusty. After studying them, it really looks like the original grills are sprayed a flat black. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fvike 173 Report post Posted April 23, 2016 These are my grilles: The Top is a C9ZB-8150-B 1 chrome faced grille, obviously painted. The center is what is left of my previous grille. It was not painted. I do not know if this was an original grille or a repro. It was on the car when I bought it in 2004. The bottom grille is the new-out-of the-box Daniel Carpenter Ford Tooling grille, C9ZB-8150-B 2. Unpainted. There isn't much difference between this and the center grille in appearance. Bob Perkins states in this thread that grilles and headlight doors OEM and service parts was painted low gloss black up to the late 80s. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
