The thin chrome piece which runs horizontally through the middle of my front end is “flaking”. I believe this is called the “vane” and it looks to be chrome plated over plastic.

Has anyone attempted successfully to re-paint the chrome? Method and products used would be great.

If the process is wildly complex, I may skip to the mesh grille from Mina Gallery and be done. I know that would make the car look like an older model year than it is, but I’d rather have something clean and not original, than flaking peeling chrome on the original.

Thanks to all for your thoughts and suggestions.

 

If you do decide to go with the Mina mesh grill think about removing the bumper supports for the now discarded “plastic teeth” that are behind the grill . Leaving them in place looked very odd / unfinished to me.

A little work with a drill and chisel on the rivet attachment points helps to clean up the looks as well improves the airflow.

Z

 

I wonder if you could use a chrome vinyl wrap?

 

I've seen it called the "blade" but vane is just as clear. I put the mesh grille in, as I really like the look, but left the supports just in case I want to go back to original one day. I just painted the supports matte black.

 

In the “For what it’s worth” column:

When I removed the teeth supports I did get a slight reduction in engine temperatures. Only 6-8 degrees F, and only at highway speeds 50-80 mph.

Same as before the modification, above 80 mph the engine temperature always goes down 5-10 degrees F. Obviously a result of finally enough air passing over the radiator(s). It’s a shame the radiator opening couldn’t be a wee bit larger without impacting the styling.

Z

 

I put a mesh grill in and removed the teeth. Engine temp is 199-201 at any speed. If you do decide to get a mesh grill, do the same for the lower opening, keeps stones out.

 

Us poor 4.0’s got no lower opening, not an official one anyways

Z