plastic "chrome" wrinkling

[miahjohn]

The top piece of my grille has started to wrinkle or bubble. there is a small crack in the plastic and it seems water got behind it. the picture doesnt show it but the wrinkles are right where the flash reflection is on the chrome piece of the grill.

I've looked for a replacement but they cost over $250 and then I would still have to paint the bezel. aftermarket grills are $500 plus.

is there anyway to fix this? any shops that fix this?

[03mach1]

Re: plastic "chrome" wrinkling

I do not think there is anything you can do to fix this. It will keep cracking from where it started and start to peel away. Iv'e seen this quit a bit on GM cars from my work. Sorry I can't help out more.

[ColonelCash]

Re: plastic "chrome" wrinkling

Could you maybe use a waterproof epoxy to fill the crack? If you stop the water entering the area, it should stop future peeling.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: plastic "chrome" wrinkling

I do not think there is anything you can do to fix this.

I agree, not much you can do once it starts to wrinkle or peel or bubble.

[new2detailing]

Re: plastic "chrome" wrinkling

There is a spray chrome paint that can be applied to the grille. Basically the factory"chrome" is plated on the plastic grille. It works well unless a the grille gets a chip and then the "chrome" finish will bubble and just peel away. There are several companies that have spray on "chrome" finishes. www.sprayonchrome. , www.alsacorp.com , and PlastiKote . There are others as well.

[roushstage2]

Re: plastic "chrome" wrinkling

Take it off and repaint it with the chrome paint or another color. Just take your time and I'd think it would look like new (or talk to a shop about repainting it that chrome color. I don't think it would be too expensive). You may try an auto recycler as well.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: plastic "chrome" wrinkling

The products from this company www.alsacorp.com are very impressive, not familiar with this company www.sprayonchrome

Even if the products work great you'll probably have to prep and spray the entire grill to get a uniform appearance, don't think you'll be able to blend just a section and have it look like you never worked on it.

Recycler, eBay, Craigslist or Pick & Pull might be worth checking into although if a similar car is in Pick-&-Pull chances are the grill is either wrecked or already gone unless you get out there the day the car is brought in.

[miahjohn]

Re: plastic "chrome" wrinkling

Ive called junk yards for norhtern wisconsin and minnesota, I've even check national company's for a grill lying around somewhere......NO ONE has one!!

I'll look into the spray chrome.

[miahjohn]

Re: plastic "chrome" wrinkling

$115 for 3 cans of spray paint and a plastic car!!! thats expensive!!

[Underdawg736]

Re: plastic "chrome" wrinkling

Man that *****! Some areas of my chrome plated wheels are doing that, not very noticable yet and the chrome plated lip of my grille is pretty pitted too.
To see this happen on a Caddy no less is sad, you drop a lot of money on a luxury car only to find something like this.....truly sad!

[roushstage2]

Re: plastic "chrome" wrinkling

Ive called junk yards for norhtern wisconsin and minnesota, I've even check national company's for a grill lying around somewhere......NO ONE has one!!

I'll look into the spray chrome.

Not Pick-n-Pull's, auto recyclers. They carry parts from newer model vehicles.