56 Chrome front grill
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From: Santa Clarita
56 Chrome front grill
The chrome is wearing thin on my front grill and planning on replacing it. I got a few prices on rechroming, but it may be cheaper to replace the grill with an aftermarket. Do you guys/gals have suggestions on purchasing a good quality chrome grill for less, or a good deal? I've already researched most of the aftermarket MF, Blue oval, Truck shop etc. $400 is about the average.
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From: Adams,CO.
Saw them all, even ordered one and they look like carp so I sent it back. Rechromed mine, and it looks great.If you must buy a new one, I would talk to Rod at HotRod's since he has a deal with Carpenter to supply ONLY first quality grills and he tells me that each grill is unboxed and inspected at Carp prior to sending out to Rod. Rod tells me that he would put one of these on his own ride. I have never seen a "first" quality, but I do believe what Rod is saying.
Jon
Jon
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From: Earth
If it's close to the same price buying "new" vs. rechroming the original, I would rechrome the original just because it is the original grille for your truck. Seems to me that a few years back I checked on getting my grille chromed and it averaged in the $350-$400 range. I checked chromers in Spokane and Salt Lake City, if I remember right, as they are the closest ones to me. Since you are in the California area, I would think there are a lot of chromers in your state. But, given that it is California, and with all their smog laws, you might be paying more just for that reason alone.
An alternative that I have seen and do like, is if you can find a paint color that would look good on the grille and offsets against the color of your truck. I don't mean a chrome paint, but I have seen some light gun-metal gray colors on grilles that don't look half bad. You just have to have an eye for these things and know what will work with the color you have. Or, just paint it the color of your truck. But, I'm with you, I would probably go chrome.
An alternative that I have seen and do like, is if you can find a paint color that would look good on the grille and offsets against the color of your truck. I don't mean a chrome paint, but I have seen some light gun-metal gray colors on grilles that don't look half bad. You just have to have an eye for these things and know what will work with the color you have. Or, just paint it the color of your truck. But, I'm with you, I would probably go chrome.
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From: Santa Clarita
Jon, thanks for the info... Do you recall what it cost to rechrome your grill? and did you see any flaws in the plating when you got it back. They told me if I take my grill in, there is about a 3-4 week waiting period for rechrome. That's why I thought it would be easier to buy an aftermarket and avoid the having no grill for a month.
53- I've thought about painting the grill, but with the midnight blue, for some reason it's difficult to find a color that looks good. It's not like red, where you paint it the same color and it looks good. The chrome offsets it nicely so I'll most like stick with that. I've got a few prices and they were in the $400 range. I'd like to avoid the one month waiting period. They will exchange the grill, but who knows what I'm getting???? LOL...
53- I've thought about painting the grill, but with the midnight blue, for some reason it's difficult to find a color that looks good. It's not like red, where you paint it the same color and it looks good. The chrome offsets it nicely so I'll most like stick with that. I've got a few prices and they were in the $400 range. I'd like to avoid the one month waiting period. They will exchange the grill, but who knows what I'm getting???? LOL...
Last edited by imlowr2; Sep 1, 2007 at 12:32 PM.
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From: I live in Leitchfield, KY
Hey man, if you do decide to send your grille in and rechrome it, take a look at their work! There is a place in CA called Bumper Boys. They do good work most of the time, but I have seen some of their work which was questionable
Like the bumper we got for my mom's 56 convertible.If you take it to whoever, look it over good before you accept it.
Like the bumper we got for my mom's 56 convertible.If you take it to whoever, look it over good before you accept it.
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From: Santa Clarita
I know the place your talking about. It's in Los Angeles and they are called Bumper Boyz. 54th st. in L.A. Very rough neighborhood which I don't go in unless I'm packin at the waist, legs, arm and have an artillery unit with me. LOL.... There is another place called Faith plating. Same place Chip Foose uses on Overhaulin. I'm sure they would do a better job for Chip and his show than on my truck. I emailed them and I'll let you guys know what I come up with.
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From: I live in Leitchfield, KY
Yeah, I thought I misspelled that.I told my wife to look them up on the web once and she spelled it like I told her with a ys instead of a z.She got all kinds of bad websites.You know what I mean
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There are one or two places selling stainless grilles that aren't too high priced. I'm not positive but I think Mid Fifties is one.
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From: Adams,CO.
ED, I do recall the price. I paid 300.00 plus 50.00 to remove the dents AND weld the 3 small emblem holes in the center of grill. So..$350.00 total to Denver Bumper Works and the quality still has me a bit surprised. I am 100% happy. Not bad for Mr. Finicky.
I have not seen ant S/S grills or I would have looked into it. Most metal that has not been painted on my 56 is S/S or polished aluminum. Ed, you could also look into powder since there is now a "chrome" that looks real good and is lower cost, and road rask resistant as well.
Jon
I have not seen ant S/S grills or I would have looked into it. Most metal that has not been painted on my 56 is S/S or polished aluminum. Ed, you could also look into powder since there is now a "chrome" that looks real good and is lower cost, and road rask resistant as well.
Jon
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