painting the grill shell - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cl79c10 · 08-28-2009, 07:10 PM

I am putting a billet grill in and my grill shell is scratched all too hell. (no real dents just scratched) So I am thinking about color matching it with my paint. Question 1# any special tricks? and #2 do you think it will look good

cdowns · 08-28-2009, 07:13 PM

spend about the same amt of energy to polish it is what i'd choose

cl79c10 · 08-28-2009, 07:17 PM

I tried too polish it still looks like crap what am I missing?

mario1128 · 08-28-2009, 07:22 PM

you need to remove the anodized finish in order to polish it .try oven cleaner it works well .

cdowns · 08-28-2009, 07:38 PM

dont use oven cleaner if the grill is installed on the truck// on the truck you need to wet sand 200 then 400 finish with 1200grit after that you're ready to use polish

72BlckButy · 08-28-2009, 07:52 PM

Would you mind posting some of the bad areas you are referring to?

I just finished painting my '69 grill, and if you take your time, it will turnout real nice. I'm a sucker for the original look, however, on a truck like your's it might be nice to see a custom touch.

cl79c10 · 08-28-2009, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

Would you mind posting some of the bad areas you are referring to?

I just finished painting my '69 grill, and if you take your time, it will turnout real nice. I'm a sucker for the original look, however, on a truck like your's it might be nice to see a custom touch.

Will do as soon as my battery recharges on my camera

ChevLoRay · 08-28-2009, 09:32 PM

Powder-coating might be a suitable answer....

**kev2809** · 08-28-2009, 11:09 PM

that's a tough one but I think I would leave it chrome. but if your going to paint it, color match the white. the orange would stick out too much imo. nice truck btw..

hayhauler71 · 08-29-2009, 09:47 PM

cdowns has the right idea and if you remove the grill from the truck i would use a high speed buffing wheel with some aluminum compound. I myself like the look of your truck with the aluminum grill.

stynchrr · 08-29-2009, 10:04 PM

Does any one have any pictures of powder coated grills? I am also looking into this polish, paint, or powder coat question.

Tim

cl79c10 · 08-30-2009, 12:39 AM

Well i decided to polish the grill instead of painting it. I removed the grill from the truck and tried the oven cleaner thing but it didnt work at all so I am sanding her down. Seem to be working pretty good still have a lot of work too do tomorrow. Until I order my billet grill i went ahead and color matched just the plastic insert to change it up a bit. I will post up some photos when I am done.

*highperf4x4* · 08-30-2009, 12:44 AM

I'm getting ready to polish mine as well. Can you post some pics of it as you go?

cl79c10 · 08-30-2009, 03:54 PM

well here she is after a whole lot of sanding polishing and painting

heavy71chevy · 08-30-2009, 04:43 PM

I like that a whole lot...makes it look abit more custom and still not over the top

cl79c10 · 08-30-2009, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heavy71chevy

I like that a whole lot...makes it look abit more custom and still not over the top

Thanks a bunch thats exactly what I was going for custom but clean and simple

R.L. · 08-30-2009, 05:58 PM

After polishing the anodized coating off can it be clear coated to prevent it from needing re-polished on a regular basis?

OARNGESI · 09-01-2009, 04:54 AM

Looks really good with color

scottrod71 · 09-01-2009, 08:59 AM

My grille had been etched by a former owner that chose the wrong cleaner. I tried polishing it but it still looked bad. Since the shell was in good shape with no dents or scratches, I decided to try the powdercoating. It's supposed to be their version of chrome but it looks more like an aluminum finish. Tougher than paint and not too expensive, about $125.

72BlckButy · 09-01-2009, 02:24 PM

Scott, that looks pretty good!

08-28-2009, 07:10 PM	#1
cl79c10 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: redmond oregon Posts: 93	painting the grill shell I am putting a billet grill in and my grill shell is scratched all too hell. (no real dents just scratched) So I am thinking about color matching it with my paint. Question 1# any special tricks? and #2 do you think it will look good

08-28-2009, 07:17 PM	#3
cl79c10 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: redmond oregon Posts: 93	Re: painting the grill shell I tried too polish it still looks like crap what am I missing?

08-28-2009, 07:22 PM	#4
mario1128 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: cheshire ct Posts: 55	Re: painting the grill shell you need to remove the anodized finish in order to polish it .try oven cleaner it works well . __________________ 72 chevy former 1ton converted to 1/2 ton roller 350 engine , turbo 350 and a 12 bolt on leafsprings with a flip and drop springs

08-28-2009, 07:38 PM	#5
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: painting the grill shell dont use oven cleaner if the grill is installed on the truck// on the truck you need to wet sand 200 then 400 finish with 1200grit after that you're ready to use polish __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

08-28-2009, 07:52 PM	#6
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: painting the grill shell Would you mind posting some of the bad areas you are referring to? I just finished painting my '69 grill, and if you take your time, it will turnout real nice. I'm a sucker for the original look, however, on a truck like your's it might be nice to see a custom touch. __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package)

08-28-2009, 07:13 PM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: painting the grill shell spend about the same amt of energy to polish it is what i'd choose __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

08-28-2009, 09:32 PM	#8
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: painting the grill shell Powder-coating might be a suitable answer.... __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

08-28-2009, 11:09 PM	#9
kev2809 low n' slo Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: rosenberg, texas Posts: 5,172	Re: painting the grill shell that's a tough one but I think I would leave it chrome. but if your going to paint it, color match the white. the orange would stick out too much imo. nice truck btw.. __________________ 67 1/2 ton Suburban - Project DRGNWGN. Build thread -_--_--_ _________ _--_-_ -/____\|__\|__\__ ,.,,,.,.,,.,\|_O _______ O_]

08-29-2009, 09:47 PM	#10
hayhauler71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: St. Paul MN. Posts: 1,996	Re: painting the grill shell cdowns has the right idea and if you remove the grill from the truck i would use a high speed buffing wheel with some aluminum compound. I myself like the look of your truck with the aluminum grill.

08-29-2009, 10:04 PM	#11
stynchrr Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Dover Delaware Posts: 270	Re: painting the grill shell Does any one have any pictures of powder coated grills? I am also looking into this polish, paint, or powder coat question. Tim

08-30-2009, 12:39 AM	#12
cl79c10 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: redmond oregon Posts: 93	Re: painting the grill shell Well i decided to polish the grill instead of painting it. I removed the grill from the truck and tried the oven cleaner thing but it didnt work at all so I am sanding her down. Seem to be working pretty good still have a lot of work too do tomorrow. Until I order my billet grill i went ahead and color matched just the plastic insert to change it up a bit. I will post up some photos when I am done.

08-30-2009, 12:44 AM	#13
highperf4x4 Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 4,709	Re: painting the grill shell I'm getting ready to polish mine as well. Can you post some pics of it as you go?

08-30-2009, 03:54 PM	#14
cl79c10 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: redmond oregon Posts: 93	Re: painting the grill shell well here she is after a whole lot of sanding polishing and painting Last edited by cl79c10; 08-30-2009 at 04:00 PM.

08-30-2009, 04:43 PM	#15
heavy71chevy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: antreville, south carolina Posts: 873	Re: painting the grill shell I like that a whole lot...makes it look abit more custom and still not over the top __________________ "Dixie Destroyer" 71 C10 LWB Fleet Future Blown Prostreet Monster Last edited by heavy71chevy; 08-30-2009 at 04:43 PM.

08-30-2009, 05:58 PM	#17
R.L. Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mobile, Al. Posts: 687	Re: painting the grill shell After polishing the anodized coating off can it be clear coated to prevent it from needing re-polished on a regular basis?



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09-01-2009, 04:54 AM	#18
OARNGESI Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: CASA GRANDE AZ Posts: 4,276	Re: painting the grill shell Looks really good with color __________________ 70 SWB STEPSIDE 70 BLAZER 09 challenger

09-01-2009, 08:59 AM	#19
scottrod71 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Olathe, Kansas Posts: 117	Re: painting the grill shell My grille had been etched by a former owner that chose the wrong cleaner. I tried polishing it but it still looked bad. Since the shell was in good shape with no dents or scratches, I decided to try the powdercoating. It's supposed to be their version of chrome but it looks more like an aluminum finish. Tougher than paint and not too expensive, about $125. Attached Images

09-01-2009, 02:24 PM	#20
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: painting the grill shell Scott, that looks pretty good! __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package)

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