Squarebody Chrome Trim Restoration: Emblems, Moldings, and Brightwork

Fresh brightwork does something strange to an old truck: new emblems and clean moldings can read as a full restoration even when the paint underneath is untouched. On a 1973-1987 Chevy and GMC C/K truck, the chrome and bright trim is also some of the most affordable restoration work you can do. This guide covers squarebody chrome trim restoration from grilles and emblems to body side moldings and window reveals, with notes on cleaning versus replacing and matching trim to your truck’s original level.

Quick answer: Squarebody chrome trim restoration means replacing faded or pitted emblems, body moldings, grilles, and brightwork. New chrome emblems run $10 to $40 each and body molding sets run $50 to $200. Replacing all the exterior chrome on a squarebody takes a weekend and delivers a transformation comparable to a paint job in overall impression. Light tarnish can be polished out, but chrome pitted through to bare metal needs replacement.

What Chrome Trim Comes on a Squarebody

The 1973-1987 squarebody Chevy and GMC trucks were generously trimmed with chrome and bright metal depending on the trim level:

• Hood ornament/emblem: The Chevy bowtie on the hood and the Chevy or GMC scripts on the front and rear.
• Grille chrome: Chrome bars and bezels across the front grille opening.
• Headlight bezels: Chrome frames around the headlight openings.
• Windshield and rear window moldings: Thin chrome strips framing the glass openings.
• Door window moldings: Chrome strips along the top of the door glass opening.
• Body side moldings: Chrome or bright metal strips running along the body sides (Silverado and Cheyenne trim).
• Bumpers and trim rings: Front and rear bumpers, license plate trim, and step pad trim.

Grille changes across 1973-1987

The front-end chrome changed several times over the squarebody run, so matching parts to your year matters. The 1973-1974 trucks used an eggcrate-style grille, and a 1973-74 silver grille kit restores that early look. The 1981-1982 trucks moved to a different grille and molding, served by the 1981-82 chrome front grille and matching upper grille molding. The 1983-1987 dual-headlight grilles take their own bowtie, such as the 1983-87 bowtie emblem for dual-headlight grilles. Mid-year engine-callout emblems like the 1975 “350” and “454” grille badges were trim and option specific.

Cleaning vs. Replacing Chrome

Surface tarnish and light corrosion on squarebody chrome can be cleaned and polished back to a presentable condition. Use a dedicated chrome polish (Mothers Mag and Chrome Polish, Flitz, or similar) applied with a soft cloth in the direction of the chrome surface. Light surface rust spots respond to 0000 steel wool used gently with chrome polish.

Chrome that has pitted through to the base metal cannot be polished back to a good appearance. The plating is gone and the underlying metal is rusting. For that level of degradation, replacement is the correct solution. Rechroming services exist but cost significantly more than replacement for small parts like emblems and trim strips.

Stainless and aluminum bright trim is a different story from plated chrome. Stainless window reveals and some body moldings are solid metal with no plating to lose, so even heavily dull or lightly scratched pieces can be sanded with progressively finer grits and buffed back to a mirror finish rather than replaced. Learning to tell plated steel (magnetic, pits and flakes) from stainless (non-magnetic, dulls but does not flake) before you decide saves money, because many trim pieces people assume are ruined are actually polishable stainless.

Emblem and Badge Replacement

Squarebody emblems mount to the body with plastic push-in studs that pass through holes in the sheet metal. Many original emblems are missing (broken studs) or swapped with incorrect ones from a different year or trim level. Replacement emblems are inexpensive and widely available.

When replacing emblems, note the stud pattern on the original, since different years and trim levels used different designs. A replacement emblem set should include all the original mounting hardware. If the mounting holes in the body are stripped or enlarged, secure the studs from behind with a small amount of epoxy. Engine-callout badges such as the 1975 “350” grille emblem and 1975 “454” grille emblem are a quick way to restore factory detail on an early grille.

Body Side Moldings

The body side moldings on Silverado and Cheyenne trim squarebodies run along both sides of the cab and bed. These moldings clip into retainers fastened to the body. Over time the plastic clips break, the moldings fall off, and the remaining retainers create rust-starting points where they are anchored.

Replacement body side molding sets include the clips and retainers needed for installation. Install new retainers in any holes that show rust, apply rust converter first, and make sure the clips are fully seated before pressing the molding on. The 1981-1982 trucks also use an upper grille molding that frames the front end and is commonly cracked or missing.

Window and Windshield Reveal Moldings

The windshield and rear window on a squarebody have a thin chrome or stainless reveal molding that frames the rubber gasket. These moldings often show heavy corrosion because they sit in the gasket groove and trap moisture. Replacement moldings install into the outer groove of the glass gasket after the glass is in position, so coordinate this work with any glass replacement.

Trim Level Differences

The amount of chrome on a squarebody depends heavily on trim level:

Trim level	Chrome and brightwork
Custom Deluxe / Work Truck	Minimal chrome, painted grille, rubber mats, no body side moldings
Scottsdale	More chrome, cloth or vinyl interior, some body molding
Cheyenne	Full body moldings, upgraded interior, added chrome detail
Silverado	Top trim: full chrome package, body side moldings, chrome bumpers

Upgrading a lower-trim truck to Silverado appearance is a popular squarebody project. The chrome pieces bolt or clip on regardless of the original trim, so a Custom Deluxe cab can wear a full Silverado chrome package without modification.

Product Recommendations

• 1973-74 Silver Grille Kit – Restores the early eggcrate front end.
• 1981-82 Chrome Front Grille, Factory Style – Factory-style chrome grille for early-80s trucks.
• 1983-87 Bowtie Grille Emblem – Correct bowtie for dual-headlight grilles.
• 1981-82 Upper Grille Molding – Bright molding that frames the front end.
• 1983-87 Chrome Front Bumper without Pad Holes – Clean chrome bumper for late trucks.

Browse the full squarebody exterior catalog for grilles, emblems, moldings, and bumpers. For related work, see our guides on grille replacement and restoration, bumper replacement, and the squarebody restoration cost guide. Our FAQ page answers fitment and shipping questions.

Final Recommendation

Fresh chrome transforms a squarebody exterior in a way that surprises most first-time restoration builders. New emblems, clean body side moldings, and polished or replaced bumpers take a truck from looking worn to looking restored without touching the paint. Do the chrome last, after body work and paint, so the new trim goes on a clean surface and everything looks right together from the start.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I remove old squarebody body molding clips from the body?

The clip retainers snap or screw into the body through holes. For snap-in retainers, use a plastic pry tool to lever them out from behind. For screw-in retainers, a screwdriver from the outside removes them. After removal, fill any holes you will not reuse with a self-tapping screw and sealer to stop rust starting at the open holes.

Are Chevy and GMC squarebody emblems interchangeable?

No. Chevy trucks use the bowtie emblem and “Chevrolet” or “Chevy” script, while GMC trucks use GMC block letters. The mounting hole patterns and emblem sizes differ between the brands. If you are converting a Chevy to GMC appearance or the reverse, you will need to fill the original holes and drill new ones for the replacement brand’s pattern.

Can I have original chrome parts rechromed?

Yes. Automotive rechrome services will strip, replate, and polish original parts to show quality. Cost is typically $20 to $60 per small item (emblem, trim piece) and $300 to $600 for large items like bumpers. For a show-quality build where original-number items matter, rechroming preserves authenticity. For a driver-quality build, replacement is faster and usually less expensive.