I have a '70 Malibu grille that someone painted with some black paint but it's wearing off. I'm going for the non-SS look so what is the right color paint to use on the grille? I can't remove the existing black paint, and it's not chipping (just worn), so is there a good way to prep these prior to painting them? Thanks for any help.

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1970 Chevy El Camino
Green Mist & Silver w/Green Vinyl Top
350ci/300HP 4bbl & Factory Dual Exhaust
Non-SS with Factory Rallies
TH-350 - 2.73 Posi Rear
My El Camino Home Page - www.dreamelectric.com (http://www.dreamelectric.com)

Shawn, I had the same problem with my '70 grill and wound up taking some medium grit sandpaper and sanding off all of the old paint. Then I sprayed it with two coats of gloss black Plastikote paint...that stuff works very well and WILL NOT chip. If you sand it, don't even bother primering it...you won't need to. Have had it for three years now and there are no chips on the grill at all. Very durable and highly recommended. Hope this helps.

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502 Rat Infested 1970 Malibu - Gold Member #39
Keep America Beautiful - Drive A Brute Force Chevelle!
http://pages.about.com/wescolby/personal.html

Thanks Wes. I never thought of sanding it, is there any specific grit number that I should use on it? I don't want to risk messing it up and having to spend $130 on a new one.

Also, what is the right color for a non-SS grille? Just plain plastic or a special color?

Think I used something like 800 grit or 1,000 grit paper should work just fine. Don't worry, it will not mess up the plastic at all...just enough bite to remove the paint is all you need. As far as color goes, I believe that all Malibu's (non SS) were painted at the factory with a grayish silver color. I'd bet that someone here knows the paint code/description for the 'correct' grill color.

I think I just read about the correct 70 malibu grille color, believe it was in the Valvoline post up in Chevelle Tech 2000. If my mind isnt giving up on me it was "argent silver"

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Steve
64SS-327-4spd-sold to Original owner!
65 Malibu 283/PG!!!
My 65's Homepage (http://www.angelfire.com/ca4/chevelle/)
Team Chevelle Member #71

Thanks a lot Steve, I've been wondering for quite some time about the right color. I'll have to get some. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/cool.gif