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Old 03-24-2007, 11:35 PM   #1
bowtieride
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Polishing a grille

Does anyone know a good way to polish the outer gille on a 69-72. If anyone knows of a good way i would like to know. Thanks
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Old 03-25-2007, 08:39 AM   #2
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Re: Polishing a grille

I'm facing the same thing in a month or two, once I'm done with the interior. This makes 2 of us looking for a good answer. Thx for posting.
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Old 03-25-2007, 08:45 AM   #3
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Re: Polishing a grille

Make that three!
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Old 03-25-2007, 08:58 AM   #4
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Re: Polishing a grille

I had the same question,I took my grill to a custom car builder and asked what can I do.He took some 320 wet sandpaper and sanded about foot long section,then went to 600 wet,800 wet ,1000 wet.He then polished that section.It came out like new.I have about half the grill done,it's time consuming but the results are worth it. Bill
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Old 03-25-2007, 08:56 AM   #5
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Re: Polishing a grille

I've heard of WD-40 and 1000 steel wool for polishing/deoxidizing chrome/aluminum. That and a gallon of elbow grease!
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Old 03-25-2007, 09:59 AM   #6
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Re: Polishing a grille

The problem is the hard anodizing the factory used.Get through that and treat as any metal polishing.
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Old 03-25-2007, 10:07 AM   #7
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Re: Polishing a grille

Autosol. Expensive, but works really well.
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Old 03-25-2007, 10:47 AM   #8
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Re: Polishing a grille

where can you buy a gallon of elbow grease?
from mexico?

jk
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Old 03-25-2007, 11:45 AM   #9
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Re: Polishing a grille

Quote:
Originally Posted by [ol'Blue] View Post
where can you buy a gallon of elbow grease?
from mexico?

jk
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Autosol and very, very fine Bull Wool Has worked well for me on tons of stuff.

Now a grill .... all of a sudden it just grew by about 10 feet!

esll.
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Old 03-25-2007, 12:51 PM   #10
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Re: Polishing a grille

I remember someone saying good things about WENOL.
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Old 03-25-2007, 04:29 PM   #11
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Re: Polishing a grille

I think I saw a while back where you could use oven cleaner to remove the anodizing before trying to polish the aluminum parts.
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Old 03-25-2007, 04:35 PM   #12
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Re: Polishing a grille

i just plain need a new outer grill anybody kno where i can buy one from?
for a 71
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Old 03-25-2007, 05:16 PM   #13
chevyman432003
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Re: Polishing a grille

eastwood says to use oven cleaner to take off the anodizing
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Old 03-25-2007, 06:37 PM   #14
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Re: Polishing a grille

you can rub it with whatever you want ... cheap or expensive ... and it WON'T shine until you get the anodizing off it.

Oven cleaner to remove anodizing ... and then just about any decent metal polish will make it shine ... be prepared to polish fairly often now that the anodizing is gone, it will tarnish rather quickly.
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Old 03-25-2007, 06:49 PM   #15
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Re: Polishing a grille

I think the steel grill that's Chrome plated looks really good,But as far as I know they don't make em for a 69-70 grill.When I get rich would like to buy new Grill.
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Old 03-25-2007, 08:09 PM   #16
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Re: Polishing a grille

Flitz metal polish will make it shine. Kerry
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Old 03-25-2007, 08:25 PM   #17
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Re: Polishing a grille

I used #0000 steel wool on my few sparse trim pieces. It won't make them new but will make them clean and presentable.
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Old 03-25-2007, 08:26 PM   #18
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Re: Polishing a grille

something i always do is use some soft scrub and a scotch bright pad before polishing... it smooths everything a little and makes it a nice, even color... just my opinion!
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Old 03-25-2007, 09:19 PM   #19
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Re: Polishing a grille

The grilles are anodized and after y ou remove that, then you will be polishing forever. Just a thought to have in mind. With that covered, the process of taking wet and dry sand paper (starting with 600 grit and working your way to 2500 grit) and using wd-40 to keep the paper clean as you sand is a way to start. I finish up with a tub of Mother's aluminum polish (to remove sanding scratches) and then a touch of Mother's "billet Polish" for a mirror finish.

If you are really serious you can purchase some razor buffing pads for your die grinder and a buffing taper to hold them. Get some polishing compund sticks and go to it. It works great and takes less "Elbow Grease". Look at purchasing a couple bottles of "Metal Sealant" to seal the metal and keep water spots out of it.
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