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Re: Bumpers & Grille
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Forum Ambassador
 
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Thank you, it's a fun project! Cleaning off the remnants of lacquer and polishing everything up makes the original chrome look good. When you mention cleaning off lacquer, if any was a clear coating and on chrome or other bright items you might want to check the list to verify that it was not on one of the pieces that might have been "war chrome". By 53 production I expect most if not all of that stuff was gone but since a lot of pieces are interchangeable with earlier years you never know if there was any waiting to be used up or something stuck in some dealer inventory that might have been installed after the fact.
Posted on: 8/27 12:08
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Howard
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Re: Bumpers & Grille
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Home away from home
 
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HH56, that is exactly what it is. I should have said enamel, not lacquer. I the picture below you can see the two places under the "teeth" where the enamel is still in good condition, other than it has yellowed. There was still enamel on the back edge of this piece, the bottom of the grille and the back edge of the teeth, anywhere that it was more protected. My entire grille had enamel, as does most of my car. There is no indication of front end damage, so no reason to think this is not the grille the car left the factory with. My car was 8901 of 10799 Cavaliers produced in 53, so not an early one.  
Posted on: 8/27 13:00
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Re: Bumpers & Grille
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Home away from home
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Sorry, shining a light on the fact that you guys are neglecting your cars was not my intention. 
Posted on: 8/27 13:22
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Re: Bumpers & Grille
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Forum Ambassador
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My entire grille had enamel, as does most of my car. That is bad news. I had thought the restrictions had mostly been lifted with 53 production but since the conflict didn't end until mid 53 apparently not. Packard said the war chrome will deteriorate fairly quickly without the enamel but that is probably with outdoor parking or exposure to more city and industrial environments. If your chrome is still in good shape and car is kept garaged or away from city fumes maybe keeping the war chrome clean, dry, and polished will suffice. Still it might be worth looking into a new modern enamel or lacquer covering if it could help save the pot metal from pitting and quickly needing a re-chrome.
Posted on: 8/27 15:05
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Howard
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Re: Bumpers & Grille
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Home away from home
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Restrictions may have been lifted, but who knows how many war chrome parts were in inventory, Packard wasn't in a position to be scrapping anything. My chrome only has minor pitting and given the condition of much of the car I have to think the car has been garaged most of it's life and is being garaged under my care. Our dry prier climate should help preserve it as well. And as you mention, keeping it clean and polished/sealed is probably the best thing for it. If it still looks as good as it does after 71 years I think it'll be fine for the rest of my life! Going to go put it back together and will post pics when I'm done. I'll do a couple of close-ups of the more pitted areas. I always like to hear your insights, you're a wealth of Packard information!
Posted on: 8/27 15:32
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Re: Bumpers & Grille
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Home away from home
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🗿
Posted on: 8/27 21:27
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1955 400 | Registry | Project Blog
1955 Clipper Deluxe | Registry | Project Blog 1955 Clipper Super Panama | Registry |
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Re: Bumpers & Grille
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Home away from home
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Front bumper and grille refresh done!
  
Posted on: 8/27 22:57
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Re: Bumpers & Grille
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Home away from home
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Seems to me project go along at good pace then they hit a period where near end and project slows or comes to stop. May be need for rest or to stop and pat ones self on the back for great progress seems to happen to a lot of people I know or could be old age in my case. Just remember its a hobby and if not making you happy its nott serving its purpose relax smell your success
Posted on: 8/28 11:05
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Re: Bumpers & Grille
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Home away from home
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acolds - in my case it's just a busy time of life so I don't get the time to hit projects like I want to. So I squeeze them in when I can. I'm just glad I can still find time to work on the cars.
53 Cav - the grille and bumper turned out really nice. Thanks for giving me the motivation to tackle mine. I'm aiming for the first weekend in September to get it done.
Posted on: 8/28 11:24
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