1970 Honeycomb Grill

[Broadsword]

My front grill looked like aluminium does when it has oxidised; like an efflorescence on the surface rather than rust.

So I did a little polishing and the first part came up like a treat; however the closer I looked the more it appeared that the grill is chrome plated to a substrate that may be a diecast material perhaps?

Does anyone one know what the original grills are made of and whether the surface is an electroplated one?

If the base material is aluminium then it could be polished back to this surface rather than the applied finish, so long as it is sealed.

Thank you.

[georgeramos]

I thought it was aluminum. Maybe it was painted or anodized?

[Broadsword]

Hi Georgeramos,
I found out from the PE that he had it chrome plated.
Some of the plate has lifted, but in other areas it has stuck on.
Will probably get it water blasted?

[azruss]

I sand blasted mine and sprayed a urethane clear coat. The clear coat knocked down the brightness, but made cleaning a breeze.

[Broadsword]

Hi Azruss,
I have just done the same with my brake calipers and tbh I am disappointed with the lack of shine, although similarly it should make keeping them clean a lot easier.
Am now toying with painting them.
I thought red calipers on a red car would look poor, but then realized that is what my Alfa GT has with much more noticeable large Brembos.
I also saw my first Alfa 4C last weekend and noticed it had red on red.
I was trying to keep everything original though?