Paint colour for radiator grill louvres

[SteveM2]

Hello,

What is the collected wisdom on the proper colour for the radiator grill louvres on a 1947 12? Dad has had the grill shell re-plated for his tourer, and would like to paint the louvres before putting them back in the grill.

From what I have seen and heard so far, it sounds like they should be silver or grey... Perhaps metallic silver would not have been in common use at that time?

Thanks,

Steve Manwell

[luli]

The RSR workshop manual says "silver Enamel". The extras section in the master spare parts list also mentions chrome plated one.
You can see here pictures of both types (right click and choose 'view image' - its a high resolution picture seen at best when downloaded):

[47p2]

I've seen them in many different colours, cream is a favourite on earlier cars, sliver is popular buy some silvers are too bright and too light, grey seems not so common. My grill was badly marked and I couldn't find any colours to match so I repainted it in a traditional Rover colour, stone grey metallic

[Chris C]

Hi
These posts are ironic, as I'm just rubbing down the grille on my P2 ( 14 / 1939)
and wondered what colour to use.

Many thanks, Chris C.

[SteveM2]

Thanks for the responses so far.

Luli -- if at first you don't succeed, read the manual!

47P2 -- your chariot looks very good with its Stone Grey Metallic grill; what Rovers was this colour used on?

I'm thinking the silver-grey used on wire wheels of '50s and '60's cars might be appropriate, although this paint often has reduced gloss.

Steve

[SNOBHILL39]

I matched the body colour and sprayed the grille fins as they were hand painted and looked a mess. It has been well received by the local vintage and classic car crowd.
Personal choice for each person I think.

[47p2]

47P2 -- your chariot looks very good with its Stone Grey Metallic grill; what Rovers was this colour used on?

I'm not sure Steve, it was a 1988 colour so any Rover from around then could possibly have been that colour

[chris dancey]

The louvres on ' Denzel ', 1935 Saloon black paintwork with blue interior was a matt silver. This car is totally original and has never been restored. I copied the same to Snowdrops grille. When I bought Snowdrop the grille was black, which did'nt look right.