Topic: 65 Fastback rear vent louver finish

[DKutz]

So I just read somewhere that the grill that inserts into the louvers on a 65 Fastback were chromed from the factory.  I know the frame that holds the grill was chromed but when I took mine apart they seemed to be painted, so that is how I refinished mine.  How are these done?

[Brian Conway]

Pictures may help ?  Brian

[DKutz]

Yes... is the mesh chromed?  Or painted?

[J_Speegle]

Earlier thread I guess you already saw. Posted for others

http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=9784.msg57753#msg57753



Chrome frames have the inner edges painted black along with the grills I believe. Sorry don't have one I can walk out to at the moment

Don't believe the ones above have the black painted on the individual bezels

[DKutz]

I am specially asking about the mesh.  Is it painted or chrome?

[lancelot66]

Mesh should be left chrome/unpainted. The black plates in Brian's photo that fasten up behind the vent, once painted semi-gloss black, enhance the mesh appearance and make it stand out pretty well.

[DKutz]

well mine did not look like they were chromed, so I painted them.. Oh well something to mess with when I am bored.

[lancelot66]

Referencing Jeff's two photo's, once you have the inside surface of each window painted, the chrome frame of each grill cleaned up (or re-chromed as some get pitted), when the sunshine hits them, they're pretty striking to see. It's tedious to tape them off to spray the black but it's worth it. A porch chair and a favorite beverage really goes along with the task too!

[ChrisV289]

Don't know if these help or not.

[DKutz]

Referencing Jeff's two photo's, once you have the inside surface of each window painted, the chrome frame of each grill cleaned up (or re-chromed as some get pitted), when the sunshine hits them, they're pretty striking to see. It's tedious to tape them off to spray the black but it's worth it. A porch chair and a favorite beverage really goes along with the task too!

They are striking in the sun!  Even if the grille is painted!

[awhtx]

My September, 1964 San Jose Fastback had the entire area behind the louvers blacked out. The car had been repainted once but the louvers were not removed for the repaint. The "new" paint was peeling up right at the edge of the louvers. Original paint and repaint were both Tropical Turquoise.

[J_Speegle]

My September, 1964 San Jose Fastback had the entire area behind the louvers blacked out.........

Behind the louvers you have the thin sheet metal baffles for the scoops except for the most forward one, one mid way  and the rear most louvers that are built into the unibody are blacked out prior to the exterior paint being applied at least at San Jose

As far as the screens I don't have any pictures and I think I threw the last set out years ago but the exposed part of the screens may have been different than the original finish (hidden around the edges under the bezel) from sun exposure, scrubbing and cleaning. Seem to recall this issue years ago

[DKutz]

Pictures may help ?  Brian

Just noticed that these are NOS.  The screen does not look chromed to me...

[J_Speegle]

Just noticed that these are NOS.  ........

Yes and lack the paint details mentioned earlier

[lancelot66]

I think the screen material is zinc plated, now that I think back to when I touched up mine. I used a brass bristle brush and it cleaned them up really nice. They had a shine to them when finished but not like you'd have with chrome/fine steel wool. Naturally, I didn't take pictures at the time ....