71 cuda grill colour

[Shoooter]

Are the six spots on a 71 cuda grill light argent? Does anyone have a picture of how the cheese graters are painted as well. My original ones are hard to tell if just the tips are argent or the whole piece. Pictures would be great. If anyone the correct code or where to get the argent it would be great. I know mopar sells a spray can of argent

[Shoooter]

No one? I know it's hard to get the right colour as all the originals are faded

[Topcat]

Roger Gibson Restoration.

It's a Laquer based paint.

[Topcat]

The inside paint is a bright Silver.
Grilles are also painted just on outer edges bright Silver as well.

[Shoooter]

Are the grilles also painted on the frame or just the raised thin pieces. It's hard to tell how bright your silver paint is. I belive mine is too dull.  I always thought it was a argent colour.

[Topcat]

On the grilles, it is painted on Just the edges facing outwards.

I painstakingly masked each one off on the inside edges then air gun sprayed them.

I just don't feel that rattle can paint will hold up to potential bug juice is why I went to the trouble.

The silver is very bright. Much like rallye wheel paint. But there is no metallic grain effect.

I matched mine at a paint store best I could. 

[Topcat]

 

[HEMICUDA]

On the grilles, it is painted on Just the edges facing outwards.

I painstakingly masked each one off on the inside edges then air gun sprayed them.

I just don't feel that rattle can paint will hold up to potential bug juice is why I went to the trouble.

The silver is very bright. Much like rallye wheel paint. But there is no metallic grain effect.

I matched mine at a paint store best I could.

I second that.  Also, it's much easier to paint the silver first, then use pin striping tape for the leading edge then paint the black.

[xx88man]

@Shoooter

[anlauto]

The plastic grill inserts are a flat black with only the top edges of the horizontal bars being painted a dull aluminum. Doing the silver first is a good idea, or it can be done last with a paint marker.
The six "D" shaped inserts of the grill should also be a dull aluminum colour in my opinion.

One little detail often over looked is the four little mounting tabs that the grill pegs insert into. These mounting tabs also be blacked out so they are not visible once the grill inserts are in place.

[HEMICUDA]

The plastic grill inserts are a flat black with only the top edges of the horizontal bars being painted a dull aluminum. Doing the silver first is a good idea, or it can be done last with a paint marker.
The six "D" shaped inserts of the grill should also be a dull aluminum colour in my opinion.

One little detail often over looked is the four little mounting tabs that the grill pegs insert into. These mounting tabs also be blacked out so they are not visible once the grill inserts are in place.

Flat black?  Not even close, they are injected black plastic and no where near "flat black".  Injected ABS plastic is closer to a satin+ finish not flat.  You can use a paint pen, I use to years ago, if you want perfect, spray the dull aluminum first then pin stripe the leading edges then paint the black.  For the average "hobbyist", the paint pen will work, I'm accustomed to getting as close to perfect as possible.  You will never get the coverage and flow characteristic with a paint pen.

[anlauto]

I just shot these pictures of an unrestored 1971Cuda grill insert. The black is not paint, but a molded plastic. The level of sheen, whether "flat" or "satin" is hard to determine on a 49 year old part, it would be safe to assume it was shinier when new

The silver was originally sprayed on, as evident of the overspray on the backside in one of my picture #3.
The silver also tends not only to be on the top flat surface, but it extends down both sides maybe 1/64" or even 1/32" I think this would be harder to replicate using masking tape.

Another method I've used in the past is painting the silver first, then laying it silver side down on a flat surface and spray the black.

I've restored eight 1971 Cudas in the past, and currently working on number nine right now.....I've played with several different methods of painting these things, all will work just fine.

Good luck with whatever method you choose, I'm sure it will look great