How do I go about repairing cracks and chips in my 70 Dart grille? Once that is done, what's my best choice of paint?

I have heard some people mention dissolving spare grille shavings in acetone and using that for repairs. If that is a good approach, what ratio of shavings to acetone is ideal and how do I know when it's dissolved enough?

I have a set of the reproduction parking light lenses for the grille and I'd like to match that paint as much as possible.

Thanks, hopefully you can tell I'd like to hear all viewpoints with lots of details.

40 views and no replies.....hmmm you should have changed the title to 70 Cuda grille repair. You would have gotten more response as the A body response is hit and miss.

I would experiment with the shavings to acetone ratio. Try V'ing both sides of the cracks and fill with the acetone shaving mix. The argent silver on the turn signals shouldn't be too hard to match, or repaint with the rest of the grille. Try Krylon Semi flat black. Cutting down index cards will help for masking the grille.Hope this helps. Good luck.

This is a cut & paste as it was typed out by Scott Harms Smith.. He doesn't give a ratio but tells you what consistency to aim for... I would have offered this same info to a VW owner, just didn't see his post...


Start with 100% pure Acetone, buy a gallon. 
Pour an ounce or so into a glass jar (small open mouth jar). Take a scrap grill and using something sharp, scrape off peelings (like pencil shavings size) into the jar of acetone. Put allot of shavings in, the acetone will gradually melt the plastic into a goo. Add enough plastic until the goo reaches toothpaste consistency. Once you have a good batch melted put the lid on the jar tightly and set it aside. Now, prep your grill as normal, V out cracks on both sides, etc. Use clamps near the joint to align the two sides flush and parallel. Smear on some plastic goo, leave it crowned up over the crack like a regular weld looks, let it cure overnight. Sand to flush the next day, fill any pinholes with JB Weld. The crack will practically disappear at this point, paint as normal

I painted mine, I used SEM trim black and bought argent silver from a paint store. The hardest part is taping it off. Take your time spray the silver first let it dry then tape off the silver area and spray the black. The tapeing is teadious but if you take your time the results are worth it.

Yup, Lots a taping

Thats a pretty purple car you have there !

Thanks Adam you might have had something to do with that.