1956 Grill

[Ricks56]

This may be a stupid question: is the grill on a '56 Victoria chromed or is it polished aluminum or stainless? Mine has some fine scratches that I would like to remove but don't know how to go about it. Thanks!

 

[raceron1120]

They are chrome plated steel.

 

[mercman from oz]

The Grilles on 1956 Fords are very nice looking and very stylish, but unfortunately, as raceon1120 has stated, they are only Chrome Plated Steel, and therefore, you need to take good care of them, otherwise, they will go rusty.

 

[Ricks56]

Thanks guys. Mine is really not that bad yet but someday I will probably have it re-chromed.

 

[RCM]

Oh... I just wish mine was like that... they're pristine. Thin machine oil and tlc will keep them forever.

 

[raceron1120]

The grille on mine isn't perfect but more because that was my preference. The car isn't perfect, I also prefer it that way. ( makes for good talking points when the nitpickers come around! )

The grille has some blemishes and the plating is kinda separated in one small area.

If the scratches aren't too deep you might try a bit of buffing or polish on it. Biggest issue I've seen with many is the chrome gets small pits or spots in it which is impossible to remove.

Mine:

 

[CarlG]

When my Dad's '56 was only a couple of months old, it got caught in a fierce dust storm in SE CA, frosted all the chrome you see in post #3 (among other things). Rather than replace it, he had it re-chromed (triple). Still looked "brand new" when he sold the car 12 years later.

 

[GAR64]

Mine isn't perfect either. But like Raceron said, my car isn't either. My car will never be a show car. I just want to get it to be a reliable driver. The 56's do have such a classy look to them. Where are you in NY Rick???

 

[Ricks56]

Gar64: I'm near Potsdam, way up north!