repairing grill surround dents and polishing - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*vegaschevy* · 08-25-2009, 01:34 AM

I have the grill that is going on my 72 truck. However it is dented in a couple of spots and ill have to fix the dents.
What does everyone do to fix the grill shell dents on these stainless bits?

I have read afterwards I can shoot it with oven cleaner to get the clear coat off. Then slowly polish and sand it back to a nice shine.

ANyone have how tos? pics?

**71blksuper4x4** · 08-25-2009, 01:55 AM

hammer and dolly to get out dents

Oven cleaner to get off the factory ando-coating to get to the bare aluminum.

Then start at 120 grit, and up to atleast 2000 grit. Then buff with a buffing wheel and polish it up. No pictures but that's how most say to do it

cdowns · 08-25-2009, 05:35 AM

no stainless there grills are aluminium

ChevLoRay · 08-25-2009, 11:34 AM

Oven cleaner will remove the anodizing, per a restorer I spoke with. Then, it's on to removing the dents.....carefully. Like cdowns said, these are aluminum. Then, like already stated, start with the sanding. You've got to get the surface smooth and that means all the fine imperfections in the surface. There's a polishing compound called Tripoli, that is what should be used after the sanding and dent removal is done. It is designed to work on polishing aluminum. Finish it up with some finer grade of polishing compound and you're done.

As for the cost of having it done just like this method.....I got a price of $500 and up. Time is money, huh?

08-25-2009, 01:34 AM	#1
vegaschevy Account Suspended Join Date: May 2009 Location: las vegas nv Posts: 1,493	repairing grill surround dents and polishing I have the grill that is going on my 72 truck. However it is dented in a couple of spots and ill have to fix the dents. What does everyone do to fix the grill shell dents on these stainless bits? I have read afterwards I can shoot it with oven cleaner to get the clear coat off. Then slowly polish and sand it back to a nice shine. ANyone have how tos? pics?

08-25-2009, 01:55 AM	#2
71blksuper4x4 SWB 4x4 Collector Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Osage City, KS Posts: 5,156	Re: repairing grill surround dents and polishing hammer and dolly to get out dents Oven cleaner to get off the factory ando-coating to get to the bare aluminum. Then start at 120 grit, and up to atleast 2000 grit. Then buff with a buffing wheel and polish it up. No pictures but that's how most say to do it __________________ TREVOR 1970 CST swb 4x4 (speedwarning,cruise,tilt,tach,8track, original red shoulder belts,tow hooks) 1972 Jimmy (soon to be Hickey cloned) 1971 Cheyenne Super 4x4 swb (tilt,tach,buckets, original blue shoulder belts,am/fm,cruise,tow hooks, dealer 8 track) 1972 Cheyenne Super K20 4x4 Custom Camper (tilt, tach, am/fm, tow hooks, bed toolbox, aux gas tank 1972 Cheyenne Super Crew Cab K30 4x4 Duramax, Allison, np205, buckets, tow hooks (CURRENT PROJECT) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=624819 1989 V3500 Crew Cab (454tbi, NV4500, np205) 1970 Chevelle SS (LS5 454,th400,8track,buckets,tach) :2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (daily driver) WTB: 1968-70 Cruise Control Lever

08-25-2009, 05:35 AM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: repairing grill surround dents and polishing no stainless there grills are aluminium __________________ 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

08-25-2009, 11:34 AM	#4
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: repairing grill surround dents and polishing Oven cleaner will remove the anodizing, per a restorer I spoke with. Then, it's on to removing the dents.....carefully. Like cdowns said, these are aluminum. Then, like already stated, start with the sanding. You've got to get the surface smooth and that means all the fine imperfections in the surface. There's a polishing compound called Tripoli, that is what should be used after the sanding and dent removal is done. It is designed to work on polishing aluminum. Finish it up with some finer grade of polishing compound and you're done. As for the cost of having it done just like this method.....I got a price of $500 and up. Time is money, huh? __________________ 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.



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