Duster grille resto.

68383GTS · Jan 4, 2014

I can not afford a perfect Duster grille for my 71.But I bought a decent one that I can restore some and make it look a whole lot better.It has a few of the fins that were repaired poorly.I have two parts grilles I can cut the fins out of and do a better repair.How can I cut the fins out of the good grille.Not much cutting room for a blade.I thought maybe cutting a hack saw blade down and using it.And anyone know where I can get dark argent paint.I see all kinds of light argent paint for sale.I was thinking black for the middle and dark argent for the outer edge.
This would be a good winter project that I could do in the warm house.I guess I will have to heat up the garage when I paint it...LOL

Thanks,Jim

1972DusterPaul · Jan 4, 2014

I am currently working on my sharktooth grill.

You can get small blades at a decent hobby shop that fit into an Exacto knife holder.

Also you might have to cut away more than you need to depending on where you can fit a blade in.

I bought dark and light argent paint from Roseville Moparts, they are local to me. It was expensive...$23 a can.

Their website is http://www.rosevillemoparts.com/

It came in a "Mopar" can, so you might be able to find it local to you.

Paul

68383GTS · Jan 4, 2014

Cool I have used exacto knives before but I did not know about the saw blades.

74Dusted · Jan 4, 2014

.09 Gauge High E Guitar String.

Seriously, Attach it to a 2 prong "fork" and heat the string. It will slice through the fins, a lot thinner cut than sawing through a fin, and less likely to bust the fins you want to use as donor sections.

75slant6 · Jan 4, 2014

Always wanted to know, how exactly do you fix a plastic grill? Epoxy? Plastic weld?

68383GTS · Jan 5, 2014

2 part epoxy is what I am going to use.

memike · Jan 5, 2014

I like the Guitar String idea.

ir3333 · Jan 5, 2014

2 part epoxy is not the best.
mix small bits and shavings of abs plastic with acetone until you have paste.
bevel all cracks or repair pieces before bonding with the paste.
....this will chemically bond your repair areas/patches.

57dodged100 · Jan 5, 2014

I just fixed my grill. I used plastic weld and it worked well and was easy, it is a two part product. The mini saws sound cool, but you might have success with a couple of pliers and snapping the broken piece off and the filing it to shape. I'm very budget minded and I shapped everything I did with various files. I cut my repair pieces with side cuts and filed to final shape. The plastic weld sanded easily. Post pics of your project!

1972DusterPaul · Jan 6, 2014

I am using Devcon Plastic Welder.

I glued some scraps and broken grill bits together...bent them, twisted them, hammered them and the joints were stronger than the plastic.

The main issue for me is that I keep finding more cracks in my grill...ugh!

Paul

pomonamissel · Sep 18, 2015

hey 72dusterpaul , i'm doing a sharktooth grille in a 71 . but this was a standard grille duster before . and it was blacked out , but for the bright strips , headlite bezel as well . so i'm stuck on which paint to use on the h/l bezels . light argent , 71 only used the medium argent . is that light argent or better yet , what matched that sharktooth grille . i've got older paint books from auto paint , it only gives the color #'s no pic of the color or finish . your duster looks great , what was your answer to it ? pomonamissel

diymirage · Sep 18, 2015

now, no one get mad at me....but has anyone considered nail filler?

the stuff ladies use to fill in their fake nails?

kinda like the idea jr3333 mentioned but premixed

1972DusterPaul · Sep 18, 2015

I am not a dedicated follower of fashion so I did what I wanted to do, heck I didn't even paint the slats black.

I tried both light argent and medium argent, I even tried the silver for Chrysler rally wheels.

I didn't like any of those colors or how they sprayed on.

I used a spray can of Dupli-Color Silver Metallic for a Ford. Looks really nice in the sun, and I get a lot of positive comments on the grill when people see it.

I painted my tail lights to match.

These cars aren't worth a ton of money, if you feel the need to be factory correct then go for it, if not then just do what you makes you happy.

My Duster came with a standard grill originally.

Not sure if I have any good pictures of the black and silver combo that the previous owner of my car used, but I ended up using that Sharktooth grill as a donor for this grill.

Paul

pomonamissel said:
hey 72dusterpaul , i'm doing a sharktooth grille in a 71 . but this was a standard grille duster before . and it was blacked out , but for the bright strips , headlite bezel as well . so i'm stuck on which paint to use on the h/l bezels . light argent , 71 only used the medium argent . is that light argent or better yet , what matched that sharktooth grille . i've got older paint books from auto paint , it only gives the color #'s no pic of the color or finish . your duster looks great , what was your answer to it ? pomonamissel

1972DusterPaul · Sep 18, 2015

Here we go.

This grill was held together with duct tape and chewing gum (no joke). I still have pieces of this grill hanging in my garage.

With the things that the previous owner did to this car he should be banned for life from owning any classic car.

Paul

kork340 · Sep 18, 2015

I am currently repairing my Sharks tooth for the second time. This time I went to Harbor Freight and bought plastic welding rods. I cut a couple of the ABS rods in a jar with acentone and made paste. It works great. I even made tabs where they were broke and missing. I will get some pics tomorrow. When I painted it last time I used Rustoleum satin black and silver wheel paint. This is how it turned out.

kork340 · Sep 19, 2015

Here are some pics from today. Before and after breaks "glued", tabs made. Now needs sanded and repainted.

kork340 · Sep 19, 2015

Two more.

pomonamissel · Sep 22, 2015

kork340 and 1972dusterpaul , thank you very much for your input . very good insites . i'm thinking that the oem color was that argent something . but the repop grilles aren't . so its a paint job , i like the pics of your guys different design of mat blk n mat silver . and nice repair job on that grille kork340 , your right about their not gone sky high on the values , yet! so personalizing is okay . i finish the taillights recess mat blk all ready , grille work can reflex some of that also . again guys thanks , keep the rubber side down boys . pm

Howard1784 · Sep 22, 2015

For all of your grille repairs:

*****Plastifix******** I have done several grilles. Throw away all that other crap. It could only be bought online

limegreen70 · Sep 22, 2015

I have a Sharkstooth grille it is nice but still needs some repairs, I will be watching this thread for tips.

Duster grille resto.

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