69 charger plastic grille restoration

[fireguyfire]

So I’ve restored the steel front grille mounting surround from my 69 charger, and the next step will be to restore the plastic grille itself that mounts back into the steel frame.
I’m looking for hints or tips on things like how to go about removing the fasteners that hold the stainless trim onto the plastic grille without doing damage, as well as paint suggestions for both the black, and argent areas of the grille.
I restored the grille on my 68 years ago but it has been so long that I’ve forgotten all of these tricks, and what paints I used.
Any info would be appreciated as I hope to dive in on the plastic part of the grille in the next day or 2.

 

[Daves69]

For my driver, I just turned a pair of standard argent grills to black with this.......

On the headlight trim rings I just used Rustoleum Metallic Satin Nickle.

 

[fireguyfire]

I’m going 100% factory correct, just rolled off the assembly line on everything on this car.

 

[Eric Pearson]

Charles Dallas - Phone: 8774PAINT1 (877)472-4681 Email: [email protected].
I have purchased paint from Charles and am very pleased with it. Redid my 68 road runner grill with his paints.

 

[fireguyfire]

I’ve got the grille fully disassembled and I am ready to repair the few cracks in it and then move forward.
The headlight doors pivot on steel brackets that are riveted to the plastic frame, and I would like to remove these and blast them, paint them and then reinstall them later.
The rivets aren’t pop rivets (obviously); is it a good idea to remove these, and if so where would I find the correct style of rivets and tool (C clamp type tool I believe) to put these back?

 

[Coelacanth]

Looking forward to your grille resto updates. I spent most of last winter modding my '70 Charger grille, but I went a whole different route than restoring back to original. I probably used some of the same techniques you'll use to repair broken fins or sections, mostly with JB Plastic Weld, epoxy putty, etc. Good luck!

 

[CHARGERSTEVEN]

Inquire over on the dodge charger forum n check out there restro on the 69 grill . There are a couple that go into some deep detail. I know it’s not frequent a lot , but there is some really good info on that forum pertaining to the 68-70 chargers

 

[CHARGERSTEVEN]

Those rivets are a semi hollow rivet n are fastened like making a flare on a brake line

 

[CHARGERSTEVEN]

The best way to remove the build up ofdirt n grease on these plastic grill is oven cleaner in the spray can n litely scrub n rinse well.

 

[CHARGERSTEVEN]

The best way to remove the build up ofdirt n grease on these plastic grill is oven cleaner in the spray can n litely scrub n rinse well.

Acetone n shavings from black abs pipe mixed together will help in fixing cracks n missing pieces

 

[1968rt]

I plastic welded the cracks together. Then cut a tiny channel over each crack and filled with JB weld. On one serious crack I put a tiny strip of metal under the JB weld. Finished with SEM. came out great. perfect color.

 

[Photon440]

If you have cracks, Plastex will also do a good repair. Here's what I did:
Fixing a grill with Plastex

 

[mrhemi]

I’ve got the grille fully disassembled and I am ready to repair the few cracks in it and then move forward.
The headlight doors pivot on steel brackets that are riveted to the plastic frame, and I would like to remove these and blast them, paint them and then reinstall them later.
The rivets aren’t pop rivets (obviously); is it a good idea to remove these, and if so where would I find the correct style of rivets and tool (C clamp type tool I believe) to put these back?

View attachment 1767528

Since you are located in Canada, you might give Spaenaur a try. They have many oddball fasteners in their catalog and will ship Purolator. Spaenaur Inc - Fasteners Right Now

 

[Potmetalman]

So I’ve restored the steel front grille mounting surround from my 69 charger, and the next step will be to restore the plastic grille itself that mounts back into the steel frame.
I’m looking for hints or tips on things like how to go about removing the fasteners that hold the stainless trim onto the plastic grille without doing damage, as well as paint suggestions for both the black, and argent areas of the grille.
I restored the grille on my 68 years ago but it has been so long that I’ve forgotten all of these tricks, and what paints I used.
Any info would be appreciated as I hope to dive in on the plastic part of the grille in the next day or 2

 

[Potmetalman]

I may be able to help you with that? Can you post some photos of the achors that need to be removed?