81 Malibu Grille Restoration

[Rapidride2]

Has anyone rechromed their grilles?

I lost out on a NOS one that was sold and inventory wasn't updated.

I really want to use factory parts, however what are the differences between steel factory grille and plastic aftermarket?

It seems the aftermarket grille has slightly a thicker border? Maybe I'm wrong.

Has anyone done a side by side comparison?

 

[pagrunt]

All grills were plastic, never offered in any metal. I haven't had/seen my '81 Malibu wagon in over 20 years to remember grill details but some of the repop grills offered for a G could be using the original GM molds so there's a chance there won't be a worry but thickness of the modern chrome may make it appear thicker. The copies (reverse engineered) will be slightly off based on quality put into making the molds. NOS is nice but shopping around for a good used one can yeild a very nice one with some luck & some good pictures from the seller. It's nice to have a repop option as Dealing with Monte Carlos (my '81 & the boy's '79) there's a limited source (only '83-'86 base model) I need to look at the used vs. NOS. Got lucky with the boy's car which came with two extra grills with one needing a good cleaning & polishing of the chrome along with a refresh of the painted details. Mine has been a crap shoot but I have an OK one that'll hold unti I find the right one. As for the rechroming, cost might pass NOS prices for a good quality finish.

 

[scoti]

Has anyone rechromed their grilles?

I lost out on a NOS one that was sold and inventory wasn't updated.

I really want to use factory parts, however what are the differences between steel factory grille and plastic aftermarket?

It seems the aftermarket grille has slightly a thicker border? Maybe I'm wrong.

Has anyone done a side by side comparison?

I've been curious about the re-pop parts vs OE as well. I have 3x '81 used grilles just so I have spares as these weren't re-popped until recent years, I was going to look into having one rechromed but might purchase a re-pop & compare first since I know having one chromed won't be cheap these days.

 

[78Delta88]

On the plastic better off just spray it. I have a power supply plater but never tried chrome. Silver, gold, copper, iridium, but never did chrome.

A while ago I had a set of 13" spokes in bad shape. Pressure washed them and then used Hammered Copper spray. Came out fine, at least good enough. There a point where doing it perfect and right and the dollars to do such are going different directions at a rapid pace. Sometimes an alternate method is good enough.

 

[Rapidride2]

On the plastic better off just spray it. I have a power supply plater but never tried chrome. Silver, gold, copper, iridium, but never did chrome.

A while ago I had a set of 13" spokes in bad shape. Pressure washed them and then used Hammered Copper spray. Came out fine, at least good enough. There a point where doing it perfect and right and the dollars to do such are going different directions at a rapid pace. Sometimes an alternate method is good enough.

Yeah its a really clean car. I was hoping to get the oem look as much as possible, even though the car is actually a 79. By no means is it concours however. Normally I'd probably go with the monochrome look but really appreciate the factory chrome and trim on this car.

 

[78Delta88]

Looks good what you have I have no match down here. Have one 84 after that is Regals, Grand Prix, only one Monte and of course they been sitting in Arizona sun for years.

 

[scoti]

Yeah its a really clean car. I was hoping to get the oem look as much as possible, even though the car is actually a 79. By no means is it concours however. Normally I'd probably go with the monochrome look but really appreciate the factory chrome and trim on this car.

Very clean indeed. I have a close cousin. Much slower 52k mile '78.....