To anodize or not to anodize - that is the question

[bking4aday]

I'm new here - but in the middle of restoring my 70 Challenger RT. I've had the car for 40 years and it's always been "next years" project. Now that I'm working from home, it's finally next year. Anyway, like many of you I'm sure, this is all coming out of my pocket, and I'm just a working guy with limited means. Goal is a driver - not a show car, but I also want to do it right the first time. Overall theme is original look with white on B5 blue.

Ok, so on to my question.  I am trying to reuse my original RT grill. It's been fully disassembled and stripped, and slowly getting small blemishes repaired. I say slowly because I am doing the work myself, and being a first timer....you get it....  So, the question next is, how to preserve the trim finish.

For the egg crate center, I'm about 90% on black paint. It's a little pitted to start with, and I see no practical way to get back to a good surface finish on 360 x 1/2" squares. Also, I like the black look on these cars. Now - what about every if else?  Best I've found for bright dip + anodize is about $800. Obviously that's probably best, but a big expense for a "driver". I have an old home range set up powder coat, but first off, I'm having trouble getting OE-like results in trial runs, and second - the grill pan is ~70", so I'd have to come up with a much bigger oven. That leaves basically some kind of paint/coating, or forever hand polishing - and in some tighter areas, like around the headlights. 

Bottom Line - I don't have total climate control in my garage, so there will be some tarnish over time - and there is no way I want to ever take this grill apart again....

I've read/heard so many other options and opinions on what to do with bare aluminum that it's all a little mind boggling. Also, most folks are either selling something, or talking about something their cousins neighbor did, so.....are there any users out there who have been where I'm at?  If so, I'd appreciate hearing about your experience.

[Brads70]

I was in the same boat as you . Here is what I did, hope it helps you some. 

https://forum.e-bodies.org/body-shop/5/-cleaning-up-a-argent-1970-challenger-grill/69/

[bking4aday]

Ya, I actually came across your post when I was researching. I had some luck with the 600 grit technique, but my anodizing is all stripped so I think I'm in a different spot than you were. Anyway, your argent grill turned out fantastic - really nice work! 

[1 Wild R/T]

Another option...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/284217077439?epid=1240688552&hash=item422ca86ebf%3Ag%3AbngAAOSwIXlgS2YE&fits=Year%3A1970%7CModel%3AChallenger%7CMake%3ADodge

[bking4aday]

Has anyone purchase one of these Dynacorn repops?

[Brads70]

Has anyone purchase one of these Dynacorn repops?

While no I haven't purchased one I was all set to buy one at Carlisle one year, money in hand. That is till I was able to see it up close in hand and discovered the trim that surrounds the egg crate on the repops is simply painted grey and no bright anodized like the originals. It was then I decided the money they were asking for them was better suited somewhere else. If I remember right it was about $700 at that time for a complete grill assembly. If they were asking that much I figured it had better be correct for that kind of money.
Now that being said .... IF I didn't have a restorable grill or had nothing then sure its an option but otherwise I'd pass.