The Dodge Challenger Message Board

Hi,
I'm restoring my 70 challenger grille, and I'm wondering what color the cross hatch pattern should have. The grille base itself is the standard one, so I painted that dark argent silver.
Sometimes the cross hatch pattern is painted black, but mine used to be some sort of gray, or maybe it was corroded bare aluminum.

Who can help me???

Antoon

It was unpainted as far as I know. Just the natural finish.

So that would be unpainted bare aluminum?

Antoon

Yes.

Some cars did have the centre painted black. The T/A did I think?? But I am 99.5% sure yours would be the natural finish (as indeed was my R/T when I got it).

Allright.

Thanks Dave.

All the half-inch center grids were natural anodized aluminum. Only the T/A grille centers were repainted black. If yours is in need of freshening up and you do not want to drill out the rivets and dismantle the grille, it can be done but the masking job is huge as you have to paint the three support frames black first through the grid, cover them and all the black rubber grid retainer tabs before you can finish the grid. I have found that aluminum exhaust paint works well on the grid as it is pretty tough stuff, but expect hours of work to get it done.

I allready drilled out the rivets, so that makes the job easier. Just some blasting and then repainting and everything can go back together.

Thanks

This is interesting. Why are most grills I see are black ?? Is the center really bare aluminum even on a car with a black shell ?? The restoration guide say's black. Which is correct ?? I am in process of doing mine over and I'm confused.

Thanks,
Allan G.

The information is here to see.

They were not painted.

You will see many that are black, including mine. I just think they look better painted. But when I got the car it was unpainted.

Thanks,


Just wanted some more input before I pull the trigger on the paint.