Well, it took three grilles before I found one I wanted to use. The best
one was picked up at the 2002 Mopar Nationals in Columbus. My original
grille wasn't in very good condition and was missing a mounting tab.

 

I used Easy-Off oven cleaner with lye to lift the original paint off of
the grille. I used a toothbrush on the stubborn areas. I was rather
pleased with the end result.

 

I had to add a missing horizontal rib and reinforce the upper mounting
tabs with epoxy. I used the old grille as the donor for the rib and used
small files and sandpaper to complete the repairs. Notice the missing
portion of the mounting tab on the grille on the right side? This is typical
on the swap meet grilles, so watch out for this if you're looking for one.


 

I started with painting the whole grille in "Satin Black" from Totally Auto.
Next came the turn signal cups. I used Dutch-Boy "Instant Chrome"
metallic enamel. I then used painters' masking tape to tape off the
smaller ribs between the clusters and around the grille periphery.

 

 

 

I traced the turn signal lens on some thin cardboard and cut it out to
create a spray mask for the "Instant Chrome" in the cups. They just
dropped into the cups and worked well. You can see them in the photo
above, just to the left of the scissors.

 

The following photos don't do justice to the way this grille turned out. For
kicks, I used "Textured Dark Argent" spray paint, again  from Totally Auto.
The areas that were taped off are black and the rest is the textured argent.
The argent goes all the way down the signal cup until it hits the gasket.
I mention this because the photo doesn't show it very well.

 

 

 

I picked up a NOS stamped aluminum molding for the top of the grille.

 

 

Here is a better view showing the "Textured Dark Argent" paint.

 

I picked up a screw kit from Penstar Reproductions at one of
the Mopar shows. It had everything I needed for the grille.

I recommend the Totally Auto paints. They are a little pricey, but work
very well. I also used the "Satin Black" on my dash frame, but that's
a completely different story!

 

I did pick up another grille for the Duster however. Spent $45.00 for it and it happens
to be in great shape! Yes, that makes three of them now, but this one was in better shape
than the other two. I was thinking of spraying it with the textured dark argent rattle can
paint offered by Totally Auto. Just something a little different.


Started to clean up the grille. I used a powerwasher to get the major stuff off.
I then used "Easy-Off" oven cleaner (with Lye) to remove the paint. I sprayed
it on the grille and waited about 20 minutes before hosing it off. I went through
the same procedure again only this time I used an old toothbrush for the tough
stuff. It took the paint off beautifully! I now have a bare plastic grille ready for
paint, well, after a couple of epoxy mends and some clean-up with the files