I recently got the 83 front end swapped onto my 81 and noticed that in a couple of spots on the grille that the "chrome" was starting to bubble up and a few spots was flaking off. I was wondering if anyone had any idea's on a good paint to redo this with? some kind of chrome colored paint that works good? i know painting it won't look as good, but i really don't want to buy new grille since this is the only problem with it and it has no cracks or anything. Thanks for any advice.

ElkyPete had a great solution in this previous thread: Chrome
Paint (http://www.elcaminocentral.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=518&highlight=chrome+paint)

I tried the Duplicolor brand chrome paint on a pair of faded brake housings to spruce them up, it work great. The secret was good prep work and multiple light coats with plenty of drying time in between.

You can also get "Stainless Steel" tape from J.C. Whitney's http://www.jcwhitney.com/productnoitem.jhtml;$sessionid$Q0GICCAAAADRCQSNDV0 SFE0CJUOXKIV0?CATID=14911&BQ=jcw2
or
http://www.ecparts.net/images/Application.jpg
maybe this tape that is used for repairing the trim on the doors will work. Duplicolor is what I used also. I've thought about seeing if that Stainless Steel tape would look good on the bezel around the grill of my 76. It is Polished and coated aluminum trim that has lots of scratches. In order to remove those I have to have it replated or remove the coating and polish.

On my 93 Pickup the so called "Chrome trim" on the grill is some type of tape stuck to fiberglass or molded plastic. It looks fine but you can tell on close inspection its applied. The Bezel around the grill of my 76 is made of several pieces that can be disassembled so it should look pretty natural once applied. Its is not like I have to do a Seamless job its 3 distinct pieces.

So there are some options you just have to try em until you figure out what you can live with. It bugs me to have ugly brackets attached to my engine, not that I don't, it just bugs me. :D

Duplicolor makes some pretty good products and have a hi-temp paint for engine compartments. I sprayed my rear drums with the Chrome Paint also and they've held up for 3 almost four years and still look nice and clean up easy when I wash the truck. I shot the Calipers to make them look aluminum too. They look good behind my wheels. These were new/rebuilt parts when I was reassembling my truck. I didn't have to worry with removing grease and garbage just cleaning them off and spraying them. So if your spraying an old part do prep it well.

Thanks for the advice guys, i think i'll try the duplicolor "chrome" paint. Hopefully i can get this grille looking decent again. ElkyPete I'll have to remember that chrome tape when i get ready to swap in my interior if i remeber correctly the chrome strip on the door panel (like in your pic) need some new shiny.