repairing C1 chrome moulding

[CHEV66JB]

Hi all,

One of my pieces of center grille moulding has a crack in that stretches about 3/4 of an inch. Is the metal actually steel that can be welded at the crack? Or is it "white metal"? Also, would a MIG welder be too hot for this kind of work? I just want to make sure the crack doesn't continue to grow.

Thanks!

Jim

 

[magicv8]

can you post a pic so I know which piece?

zinc (white metal) cracks don't propagate unless they are under stress. I only was successful once in welding white/pot metal. I did it with a small brazing torch.

 

[CHEV66JB]

Re:

Hi and thanks for your reply,

The section is the piece of chrome below the grille on a '58-'62, basically the lower piece of the "mouth".

I can get you a pic sometime this weekend- It's not a bad crack, I just wanted to make sure it wouldn't continue to grow.

Thanks,

Jim

 

[JohnZ]

That part is chrome-plated die-cast zinc ("pot metal"); if it's installed so it isn't under stress, it may not get any worse; if it's under stress, it will.