Cleaning the "Job-Rated" emblem...

[SteveMelchiorre]

The previous owner of my '52 B3B took it upon himself to "paint" much of the chrome on the truck black. I have no idea why....

I've managed to clean most of it off with #000 steel wool but the filled in lettering and stripes on the Job-Rated emblem is making me angry.

Any suggestions on what to use?

...and wasn't it originally filled in with red paint?

Steve....

[48Dodger]

You could try laquer thinner with a few different soft scrubbers. I believe the lettering is red. I don't have a truck older than 1950...is the emblem stainless steel or chrome?

48D

[48Dodger]

Here's some examples from members trucks. Each guy did it a little different.

48D

[4852dodge]

Try soaking a rag in Lac thinner and rubbing. The thinner will soften the paint but a rag won't scratch the surface like a scrubber. Neither of my trucks have the center piece chromed, they are silver painted with red letters and grooves. I found no sign of chrome on them.

[Merle Coggins]

I've had good luck with citrus based paint stripper. I get it at my local True Value hardware store. I get the aerosol cans, spray it on, let it soak for 15 - 30 minutes, scrub a little if needed, and wash it off. It works quite well.

Merle

[Young Ed]

Wasn't there 1 year only that had a chrome or stainless piece in the center?

[Reg Evans]

Wasn't there 1 year only that had a chrome or stainless piece in the center?

Yes, In 51,the first year of this grill design,it had a heavy cast emblem which was chrome plated. 52 and 53 were stamped steel painted silver.

[SteveMelchiorre]

Thanks for the advice. I'll try a mild cleanser and move onto the harsher stuff if it does not work.

I'm pretty sure that my emblem is steel with chrome plating....and this is only a stop gap measure until I can save up enough cash to have it re-chromed.

Steve...

[Vintrader]

Yes, In 51,the first year of this grill design,it had a heavy cast emblem which was chrome plated. 52 and 53 were stamped steel painted silver.

Reg, Here is a picture of my 51 original non restored. It is cast but was never chromed?

Dutch

[Reg Evans]

Dutch,

I hate to be a bible thumper but from what I've see personally and what I call my "Dodge Truck Bible" (Dodge Trucks History and Restoration Guide 1917-1971) says ,51 was chrome and 52-53 was stamped and painted an aluminum color.

[old woolie]

Brake fluid will generaly take paint off anything it makes contact with accidently. Maybe it could be put to good use here.

[Big50Dodge]

"attractive" is in the eye of the beholder last I heard. Personally, I prefer the '48 to '50 look without the medalion.

[Dennis_MN]

Dutch,

I hate to be a bible thumper but from what I've see personally and what I call my "Dodge Truck Bible" (Dodge Trucks History and Restoration Guide 1917-1971) says ,51 was chrome and 52-53 was stamped and painted an aluminum color.

That same "Bible" indicates that you could order the 1951 grill bars in chrome as well. The book shows a spring special with the chrome treatment.

Dennis

[Dodgeb4ya]

My 1952 Dodge center grille piece has always been painted "Sun Yellow" since when I bought it in 1972. My wheels were yellow too. Here is a couple pic`s, and some info too.

[Frank Elder]

Rob Rated, Rutrow is this truck owned by Astro?