Re-chroming VS Polishing/buffing... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72gmcshorty · 02-25-2003, 04:17 PM

I have a chrome GMC grill that I want to bring back to life. The front of it is rust free (except for small gauges along top bar and thats only small rust). I sanded off the black paint with steel wool and was now wondering if anyone has taken their grill or other chrome pieces to some kind of Polishing/buffing place and what kind of quality that gives. I don't want to spend big bucks on rechroming. Anyone?

smokekiki · 02-25-2003, 05:08 PM

Is the GMC grill aluminum?

72gmcshorty · 02-25-2003, 05:26 PM

Aren't they all? It is a chrome grill off my 72. I scuffed off the black paint around the middle of it because I want it all chrome.

smokekiki · 02-25-2003, 06:13 PM

I polished the grill surround on my chevy.they are anodized.Comes out real nice.If the GMC's are anodized it will work on it to.If it is chrome,chrome is harder to strip.Paying someone to polish a grill in my area is expensive.

72gmcshorty · 02-26-2003, 11:54 AM

ttt

**Classic Heartbeat** · 02-26-2003, 12:04 PM

GMC grills are chrome plated. It sounds like you have a 71-72 GMC grill because of the black paint that you have mentioned. The chrome surface under the black paint is etched to accept the paint and you wouldn't be able to pollish it. If you want a grill that is entirely pollished you will need to buy a 68-70 grill or just have yours rechromed and don't have them etch it for paint. New grills are available, but just the 71-72s for now and as stated befor they are chrome plated, but have the black painted areas also. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

72gmcshorty · 02-27-2003, 03:46 AM

Can I get the grill polished or buffed up though?

BUXMAN66 · 02-27-2003, 03:55 AM

if you do it yourself,yeah.......now if you have it done it'll cost you some dough.also ,watch out trying to buff it out yourself on a buffing wheel,irregular corners and indentations will grab the buffing wheel and throw it if not careful mines a 68 and i'm in the process of grinding off the anodizing with a scotch-brite wheel and then buffing out the aluminum underneath.doing the headlight bezels didn't work to well....those sharp corners and dips threw it outta my hand and into the wall.bent and twisted it to he!!,had to buy some new ones.

02-25-2003, 04:17 PM	#1
72gmcshorty Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: North Delta, British Columbia Posts: 1,344	Re-chroming VS Polishing/buffing... I have a chrome GMC grill that I want to bring back to life. The front of it is rust free (except for small gauges along top bar and thats only small rust). I sanded off the black paint with steel wool and was now wondering if anyone has taken their grill or other chrome pieces to some kind of Polishing/buffing place and what kind of quality that gives. I don't want to spend big bucks on rechroming. Anyone? __________________ 1992 Gmc 2wd 1972 Chevy Blazer 2wd

02-25-2003, 05:08 PM	#2
smokekiki Mike Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: west chester pa Posts: 2,474	Is the GMC grill aluminum? __________________ 70'c/10, 71 suburban4x4 402bb, 72suburban 4/6 drop, 72k/5 4x4 blazer 4" lift 35 tires

02-25-2003, 05:26 PM	#3
72gmcshorty Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: North Delta, British Columbia Posts: 1,344	Aren't they all? It is a chrome grill off my 72. I scuffed off the black paint around the middle of it because I want it all chrome. __________________ 1992 Gmc 2wd 1972 Chevy Blazer 2wd

02-25-2003, 06:13 PM	#4
smokekiki Mike Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: west chester pa Posts: 2,474	I polished the grill surround on my chevy.they are anodized.Comes out real nice.If the GMC's are anodized it will work on it to.If it is chrome,chrome is harder to strip.Paying someone to polish a grill in my area is expensive. __________________ 70'c/10, 71 suburban4x4 402bb, 72suburban 4/6 drop, 72k/5 4x4 blazer 4" lift 35 tires

02-26-2003, 11:54 AM	#5
72gmcshorty Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: North Delta, British Columbia Posts: 1,344	ttt __________________ 1992 Gmc 2wd 1972 Chevy Blazer 2wd

02-26-2003, 12:04 PM	#6
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	GMC grills are chrome plated. It sounds like you have a 71-72 GMC grill because of the black paint that you have mentioned. The chrome surface under the black paint is etched to accept the paint and you wouldn't be able to pollish it. If you want a grill that is entirely pollished you will need to buy a 68-70 grill or just have yours rechromed and don't have them etch it for paint. New grills are available, but just the 71-72s for now and as stated befor they are chrome plated, but have the black painted areas also. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

02-27-2003, 03:46 AM	#7
72gmcshorty Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: North Delta, British Columbia Posts: 1,344	Can I get the grill polished or buffed up though? __________________ 1992 Gmc 2wd 1972 Chevy Blazer 2wd

02-27-2003, 03:55 AM	#8
BUXMAN66 go bucks! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: MIAMISBURG OHIO USA Posts: 803	if you do it yourself,yeah.......now if you have it done it'll cost you some dough.also ,watch out trying to buff it out yourself on a buffing wheel,irregular corners and indentations will grab the buffing wheel and throw it if not careful mines a 68 and i'm in the process of grinding off the anodizing with a scotch-brite wheel and then buffing out the aluminum underneath.doing the headlight bezels didn't work to well....those sharp corners and dips threw it outta my hand and into the wall.bent and twisted it to he!!,had to buy some new ones. __________________ '68 swb 1/2t 350/350th '86 lngbd 3/4 TON parts getter '49 gmc 1/2 t 5 window 350/350th '96 gmc sonoma sle ext-cab. hey it's a 4cyl. 5 spd and good on gas y'know?



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