As the twice-nominated "Most Anal-Retentive of the Vanagon List", I think I
may be able to help you on how to touch up the chrome work on your grill.

Obviously, remove the grill from the car.

Using masking tape and an Exacto knife mask off on either side of the area
that normally would be silver if it hadn't all worn off.  Press the masking
tape down firmly with your fingernail, and use the Exacto knife to trim to
the exact dimensions where the silver ought to be.

I used Rustoleum Brand, "Aluminum" and a quarter inch wide brush.  I put on
four coats, allowing it to dry between coats overnight.  A few hours after
you've finished the last coats, peel the masking tape, then let it dry
another day before you futz with putting it back on.

It looks almost original; much better than before.  Well, I have to go
polish the metal valve stems, and the knobs on the refrigerator...

Best of Luck.

G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree

-----Original Message-----
From:   John-Reed Maffeo [SMTP:rlpa80@EMAIL.SPS.MOT.COM]
Sent:   Thursday, April 29, 1999 3:13 PM
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        Restoring <foo> was: restoring scraped-up hub caps

Does anyone have any more restoration tips?

I would like to rechrome(sp?) parts of the front grill.

I found that metal polish works pretty well on the grill to restore
luster. Don't use it on the chrome or on the door handles:

How does one restore the blackness to the door handles anyway?

What is the deal with the rubber window bits? Any way to spruce them
up short of replacing them?

Headliner cleaning/replacing?

TIA

John-Reed Maffeo '86 Syncro Glacie
Mesa, AZ