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1974 Eldorado License Plate Filler - Should It Be Body Color or Silver?

Started by P. Manoogian, January 07, 2017, 07:29:19 PM

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P. Manoogian

Am in the process of replacing all the fillers on a low mile 74 Eldorado. Besides not being a fun job, I need to know what color to paint the filler by license plate. Thank you.
1961 Eldorado - Shell Pearl/Mauve
1962 Corvette 327 - 250 HP Automatic Triple Black
1963 Impala SS Convertible - 283 Automatic Black Red Gut White Top
1965 Impala SS Coupe  - 502 Turbo 400 - Crocus Yellow
1974 Corvette L84 4spd Coupe - White / Black Leather

76eldo

The gas filler should be grey.  Not real glossy, like Eastwood Detail Grey.

I did my black 76 in body color because I liked it all black.

Here's a web article I did a while back on doing this job.  Maybe it will help.

www.sheffieldgarage.com/fillers.htm

Have fun!

Brian
Brian Rachlin
Huntingdon Valley, Pa
I prefer email's not PM's rachlin@comcast.net

1960 62 Series Conv with Factory Tri Power
1970 DeVille Conv
1970 Eldo
1970 Caribu (?) "The Cadmino"
1973 Eldorado Conv Pace Car
1976 Eldorado Conv
1980 Eldorado H & E Conv
1993 Allante with Hardtop (X2)
2008 DTS
2012 CTS Coupe
2017 XT
1956 Thunderbird
1966 Olds Toronado

P. Manoogian

Thanks Brian, I had already read that. It was helpful and I delighted in the phrase "pick your battles." So true on these!


Also, this is a 74. Yours is a 76. The 74 fillers must "sandwich" in the lower part of the horizontal tail lamps. The ABS needs to be "thinned" and pushed in - not easy.


I decided to forego the retainers and use 1/4" bolts with large washers. The retainers seemed appropriate for the rubber OEM fillers but the ABS repros seem firm and will hold with bolts and washers. I did have to trim about 3/4" off the bottoms behind the quarter panels and heat up with a heat gun and "push in" to match the body angle.


While i was able to paint the six front pieces off the car and install, I realized All I could do was "edge" the rear pieces (knowing a full off car spray would result in damage during the intstall into the tail lamps described above) and then cover the rest of the car for final spraying of the rear pieces.
1961 Eldorado - Shell Pearl/Mauve
1962 Corvette 327 - 250 HP Automatic Triple Black
1963 Impala SS Convertible - 283 Automatic Black Red Gut White Top
1965 Impala SS Coupe  - 502 Turbo 400 - Crocus Yellow
1974 Corvette L84 4spd Coupe - White / Black Leather

76eldo

We have to wrestle with these fillers and sometimes compromise on the fit.  The bolts and washers instead of the retailers is a good way to go.  When they make the front fillers, they are actually made in two halves and bonded together.  There is so much extra material on the insides of the fronts that getting the original retainers back in is very difficult.  I always end up grinding down the retainers which takes a lot of time so on the next set I will just use bolts and washers too.

It's a big mistake to grind out any ABS material on the insides of the fillers just to make the old retainers fit.

There is nothing structural at all about these parts.  Any way you can get them to fit and look good is the best way.  Think of vinyl siding on a house.  It's just hung on there and that's what you have to do with the fillers.  77 and 78 rears are way easier necause you don't have the horizontal openings for the tail lights.

Even though they are not the greatest product and all need some "adjustments" to fit, we would really be sunk if no one made them.  There would be a lot more of these cars in the junkyard.  Almost every one had had the fillers done by now.

Another engineering marvel from GM!

Brian
Brian Rachlin
Huntingdon Valley, Pa
I prefer email's not PM's rachlin@comcast.net

1960 62 Series Conv with Factory Tri Power
1970 DeVille Conv
1970 Eldo
1970 Caribu (?) "The Cadmino"
1973 Eldorado Conv Pace Car
1976 Eldorado Conv
1980 Eldorado H & E Conv
1993 Allante with Hardtop (X2)
2008 DTS
2012 CTS Coupe
2017 XT
1956 Thunderbird
1966 Olds Toronado

P. Manoogian

1961 Eldorado - Shell Pearl/Mauve
1962 Corvette 327 - 250 HP Automatic Triple Black
1963 Impala SS Convertible - 283 Automatic Black Red Gut White Top
1965 Impala SS Coupe  - 502 Turbo 400 - Crocus Yellow
1974 Corvette L84 4spd Coupe - White / Black Leather

76eldo

Cool!
I've never had much luck painting these fillers so invest a local shop to spray them and I just put them on.

Good luck and send some more pics.

Brian Rachlin
Huntingdon Valley, Pa
I prefer email's not PM's rachlin@comcast.net

1960 62 Series Conv with Factory Tri Power
1970 DeVille Conv
1970 Eldo
1970 Caribu (?) "The Cadmino"
1973 Eldorado Conv Pace Car
1976 Eldorado Conv
1980 Eldorado H & E Conv
1993 Allante with Hardtop (X2)
2008 DTS
2012 CTS Coupe
2017 XT
1956 Thunderbird
1966 Olds Toronado

P. Manoogian

1961 Eldorado - Shell Pearl/Mauve
1962 Corvette 327 - 250 HP Automatic Triple Black
1963 Impala SS Convertible - 283 Automatic Black Red Gut White Top
1965 Impala SS Coupe  - 502 Turbo 400 - Crocus Yellow
1974 Corvette L84 4spd Coupe - White / Black Leather

P. Manoogian

Fronts done. Had the paint computer matched. I brought a skirt to the supply store and they took a picture of it. Got code 11 within 95%.
1961 Eldorado - Shell Pearl/Mauve
1962 Corvette 327 - 250 HP Automatic Triple Black
1963 Impala SS Convertible - 283 Automatic Black Red Gut White Top
1965 Impala SS Coupe  - 502 Turbo 400 - Crocus Yellow
1974 Corvette L84 4spd Coupe - White / Black Leather