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did they offer different finishes on the trim and grille parts?
most i see appear to be aluminum but i've seen a few that look chrome.
please explain.
thanks
The Custom Cab grille and available side molding and other pieces were originally clear anodized aluminum. When the anodizing is new or in good shape it does look just about as shiny as chrome. But, once the anodizing wears thin or corrosion sets in then it looks more like aluminum.
The grille on the 4x4 truck in my avatar still has nice anodizing on it. I had to take a magnet to it to make sure it was not chromed steel. It isn't. Just good old anodizing that still retains its luster.
There were a couple of earliest years where the grille was chromed steel. Maybe 1961-62? I mostly am interested in 1966 and to a lesser extent 1965 so I don't pay as much attention to the older stuff.
From my experience the alum. anodized grille will last the life of the truck with minimal upkeep.
Took 65 alum. grille in years ago and suffered from sticker shock when platter quoted the cost. Considered chroming and the platter advised otherwise, unless I intended to show the vehicle and not subject the highly polished soft metal to road debris? I decided to strip anodize, sand, polish and found far too labor intensive.
I have a couple steel 65 grilles and have not gotten around to having them powder coated, over the phone platter suggested anywhere from $150 to $200 depending on condition?
The Custom Cab grille and available side molding and other pieces were originally clear anodized aluminum. When the anodizing is new or in good shape it does look just about as shiny as chrome. But, once the anodizing wears thin or corrosion sets in then it looks more like aluminum.
The grille on the 4x4 truck in my avatar still has nice anodizing on it. I had to take a magnet to it to make sure it was not chromed steel. It isn't. Just good old anodizing that still retains its luster.
Chad
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Best way to check for anodizing is with an ohm meter. The anodizing on aluminum is non-conductive. Also if you are stripping it off with drain-o or something like it you can use the ohm meter to see if you have removed it all. Since it all has to be removed before the new anodize will stick. I got a quote from a local shop of $175 to strip and re-anodize all my interior parts plus the grille an light bezels, IF I POLISHED THEM after they stripped them &^%**>.
Good info on the ohm meter, but I was not using the magnet to check anodizing - I was using it to see if the base metal was steel or not. It seemed like a valid test for that possibility.
Robert is part owner of a polishing business. He can tell you more....
But, look at his 1966 grille compared to the one on my red truck just a few posts before. See how his center piece with the bullets is one notch lower than mine? He cut the grille apart and welded it back together like this and then had it chrome plated. Really a unique look to go along with the other trick bits.
