Can I Paint my Argent Grill on my 71 Cuda?

[fuscobros]

My 71 Cuda EV2 has an elastomer front bumper, but the grill is argent due to a swap by the previous owner after an minor accident back in the mid 70's.  It's in fairly good shape but not correct.  Can I paint it EV2 or were the painted grills different in any way?  I noticed the paint finish has a bit of a texture to it. Can that be sanded and prepped for paint without ruining the grill? 
Also, the Shaker bubble is argent which is strange to me but the previous owner says it's original.  I thought I read somewhere that in the spring of 71 there was a mishap with a shipment of parts which could account for the argent shaker on my 4/1/1971 assembly date?  What do you all think?  Any other examples of factory installed argent grills when they should have been black?

[6bblgt]

grill is the same - strip & paint EV2

SHAKER bubble colors IMO are misunderstood - I'd bet argent is correct for your 'cuda

I have pics of a survivor 401-SPD 383 4-speed SHAKER w/argent bubble - I'll see if I can find them

[6bblgt]

SHAKER bubbles 
this is my take on a scenario that may be close to the gray area we observe ARGENT VS. BLACK 50 years later, there is little or NO proof to support this theory ..........

'71 DODGE Challenger SHAKER ARGENT bubbles
                available on  340 & 383HP cars, ARGENT bubbles to match the ARGENT grills (2 set-ups for inventory)
'71 DODGE Challenger R/T SHAKER BLACK bubbles
                available on  340, 383HP, 440+6 & HEMI cars, BLACK bubbles to match the BLACK grills (4 set-ups for inventory)
'71 PLYMOUTH 'cuda SHAKER BLACK bubbles on cars w/painted grills: EV2, FC7, FE5, FJ6, GB5, GF7, GK6, GW3 & GY3
                available on  340, 383HP, 440+6 & HEMI cars, BLACK bubbles to compliment the body colored painted grills (4 set-ups for inventory)
'71 PLYMOUTH 'cuda SHAKER ARGENT bubbles on cars painted any color not listed above ^
                available on  340, 383HP, 440+6 & HEMI cars, ARGENT bubbles to compliment the ARGENT grills (4 set-ups for inventory)

that's 14 air cleaner assemblies needed on the line for whatever cars were being ordered & scheduled.  don't know when the plan was thrown out the window, but with E-body musclecar sales less than 1/3 of 1970's coupled with the rarity of the SHAKER hood - inventory control was probably a huge issue & cars got assembled with what was available on hand
             

[fuscobros]

grill is the same - strip & paint EV2

SHAKER bubble colors IMO are misunderstood - I'd bet argent is correct for your 'cuda

I have pics of a survivor 401-SPD 383 4-speed SHAKER w/argent bubble - I'll see if I can find them

Thanks! 

[anlauto]

Yes your argent grill can be media blasted (gently) and painted correctly in EV2.

In my opinion, the shaker bubble would look more at home if it were black   and at shows you wouldn't have to listen to people telling your argent silver is wrong.

[6bblgt]

..........
In my opinion, the shaker bubble would look more at home if it were black   and at shows you wouldn't have to listen to people telling your argent silver is wrong.

WHY? with the best currently available evidence would you suggest painting the SHAKER bubble "BLACK"?   

to appease some random know-it-all "Joe Public" car show attendee with a knowledge base that includes his neighbor's 383 HEMI?    now that's fitting of the "crazy talk" emoji

what if further research shows there were NO "BLACK" 383 'cuda SHAKERS, or none after a certain point in time - the best info for restoring a car is the car itself, not pictures of other restored cars - especially if the car is as unmolested as the OP's 'cuda   

[anlauto]

Well I've been to a lot of shows in my lifetime that had  a lot of EXPERTS who are always quick to point out what is wrong with the cars they are looking at...

Having to explain why your car was the exception to the rule and came with an argent shaker, will get pretty tiring after awhile in my opinion. not to mention that he can't prove with 100% certainty that it did, because he's not the original owner.

AND....I think black would look better in this case.

[larry4406]

Yes your argent grill can be media blasted (gently) and painted correctly in EV2.

In my opinion, the shaker bubble would look more at home if it were black   and at shows you wouldn't have to listen to people telling your argent silver is wrong.

What media is recommended to blast the grille?

[anlauto]

Yes your argent grill can be media blasted (gently) and painted correctly in EV2.

In my opinion, the shaker bubble would look more at home if it were black   and at shows you wouldn't have to listen to people telling your argent silver is wrong.

What media is recommended to blast the grille?

Soda blast with a very competent operator....I've had two done in the past.

[fuscobros]

Well I've been to a lot of shows in my lifetime that had  a lot of EXPERTS who are always quick to point out what is wrong with the cars they are looking at...

Having to explain why your car was the exception to the rule and came with an argent shaker, will get pretty tiring after awhile in my opinion. not to mention that he can't prove with 100% certainty that it did, because he's not the original owner.

AND....I think black would look better in this case.

I'm on the fence on this one.  I do think the black Shaker would look better and I can avoid all the "experts" telling me the argent is incorrect, but in the back of my mind I will always know that's most likely NOT how the car came.  The previous owner although the 2nd owner bought the car early in it's life and swears argent is correct but since he did not actually order the car, there is a very slim chance it was changed...doubtful but still a chance.
AND when someone asks me if the car is "all original" I'll be hesitant to say "yes" without explaining the Shaker color change....

Anyway, I have a long way to go before worrying about the color of the Shaker, which by the way has a small piece of the flange missing.  I'm thinking that can be repaired fairly easily by a competent restoration shop?

[Cudino]

I agree your grille would have originally been EV2, not only from the previous owner's info but also the elastomeric bumper option would have called for the painted grille.  One thing I can't tell from your pictures is about your headlight trim rings.  Originally they were argent with argent grilles or chromed for painted grilles.  If your trim rings are chromed they are probably your originals that were reused after the grille swap.

- Wade

[anlauto]

Good call on the headlight rings Wade    Are they Chrome or Argent ?

[fuscobros]

I agree your grille would have originally been EV2, not only from the previous owner's info but also the elastomeric bumper option would have called for the painted grille.  One thing I can't tell from your pictures is about your headlight trim rings.  Originally they were argent with argent grilles or chromed for painted grilles.  If your trim rings are chromed they are probably your originals that were reused after the grille swap.

- Wade

Thanks for the tip re the Chrome headlight trim rings.  The ones pictured are in fact argent so the entire grill must have been swapped.  After seeing your comment I remembered a box of parts included with the car had some trim rings in it...to my disappointment those 4 trim rings are also argent so the chrome originals are long gone...   anyone have a set of 4 chrome trim rings they want to sell.  I would prefer good used originals, or NOS unless you experts think repros are a near exact match and good quality?

[anlauto]

You'll be fine with the reproduction ones currently available from PG Classics, but time is on your side, and if your wallet agrees, I'm sure you might be able to find and spend $1000+ for NOS ones

[Topcat]

I have OEM Chrome trims on mine.

The plastic Chrome had irregularities on a few.
Vacuum forming Chrome wasn't an Art then.
Get the repro's I'm sure they are better.