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MK 3 chrome grill surround

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Jeepster

Jeepster

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Has any one had any experience with the reproduction chrome grill surrounds?

i have just received an estimate to re chrome it that is not far off the cost of a new repro from the usual parts suppliers?

sometimes repro parts can be somewhat less than perfect.
 
I haven't purchased a new grill surround but other chrome parts I have were much thinner and easy to bend. Fot this reason I had my grill surround rechromed by a quality guy.
 
If you can find a good chrome shop, the quality of the chrome will probably be better than the reproduction parts. At least that's been my experience.
 
Keith_M said:
If you can find a good chrome shop, the quality of the chrome will be better than the reproduction parts. At least that's been my experience.
Click to expand...

I certainly agree wit you.--Keoke--
 
There is a guy on eBay that advertises quite regularly (usually Sunday nights for some reason), and goes by the name "britboy". He sells re-chromed original surrounds for about $300 or so (if I recall correctly) and says they are first class, moreso than the usual suspects. But he wants your old surround as part of the deal, and it must be serviceable. Add in the shipping, etc and it might be expensive, but the cost of rechroming is outrageous in any case. Can't speak to the quality of his product but I did email him some time ago and he seemed like a decent guy. Perhaps one of the other BCF folks have used him....I've heard the horror stories about repro surrounds - heck, the originals are hard enough to fit properly as it is....

My two cents.
 
Nothing beats a shiney grill.

2a71fff3.jpg
 
DerekJ said:
Were the grill surrounds on Mk III's chromed? On earlier models they are stainless steel.
Click to expand...

The grill surround on my MKII is chromed. I had it rechromed at a local shop, and it came out great. I think the little grill on the bonnet is stainless. I seem to remember polishing it, but it's too cold and rainy here in Utah to go outside to the garage and look for sure.
 
Thanks.
looks like a re chrome is the way to go then. I am shocked by the quotes I have received from plating companies but I suppose it is a very labour intensive process.

Am I right in saying that original one of the internal faces of the grill was originally painted grey? On top of the chrome?
when I removed my grill I could see this paint.
 
The grill shell would have been painted a dull silver grey on the flat area closest to the grill bars. This eliminates the reflection that distorts the vertical line quality of the grill itself. Many restored cars don't show paint in that area, and some have the cap of the grill shell over the leading edge of the shell, when it's meant to tuck behind. As you know, a lot of Healey parts fit different ways and look correct, but aren't.
Good luck, Bob
 
since your in the uk there have to be a number of good chromers ,what kind of prices have you been getting
 
I was quoted ÂŁ240.00 for the grill surround and ÂŁ110.00 for the cowl. These are just estimates and it may cost more if they think they require more work.
 
Bob, that's interesting to know. I am struggling to see what you mean about the leading edge and the cap of the grill? Maybe need to see a picture?
Does the lack of paint really make a big difference? Seems a pain to paint that area if it doesn't really get noticed?
 
001.jpg002.jpg003.jpgJeepster,

This what the grille looks like with the silver grey matte paint on the inner half of the grille surround. Again it's for originality rather than looks which are subjective anyway. I happen to like it. (I hope the pix come through. I'm not very tech savvy.)
 
Davidb,

pics look great. Thanks.
Thats the same colour as my BJ8 is planned to be when it emerges from the body shop. I think I'm tempted to leave the grill un painted.
 
Some wazzac painted all the grill on my car a silver grey, I am now in the process of removing it all - really painful especially between the grills. Just one point, if the grill is stainless steel then is there a special polish that I can use to get rid of the slight tarnishing that is underneath the paint?

:cheers:

Bob
 
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