Grill polish - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

John Pasinski · 09-22-2009, 03:11 AM

What's the best way to bring a used outter grill back to life? I've tried aluminum polish and stainless polish without getting good results. Am I just not putting in enough elbow grease? What are they made of anyway? Stainless OR aluminum? Also the inner grill; what can I clean those with? Mine's pretty stained from years of neglect.

1970 Bowtie · 09-22-2009, 04:47 AM

Theirs been alot of differant ideas as to what works best,sanding,steel wool,metal polish,and even oven cleaner.I have not got to the grill on mine yet,but if you search this site or checkout the detail section you may find other ideas.

cdowns · 09-22-2009, 07:07 AM

the grill is anodized from the factory. to polish the grill the anodizing must first b removed so you can get to the aluminum to polish it

72BlckButy · 09-22-2009, 02:36 PM

UltraBlue71 · 09-22-2009, 02:47 PM

Mine was so trashed I just painted it the same color as the truck after nudging the dents out of it. Untill I can afford a new stainless one that is! Good luck getting it to polish, I like the mothers aluminium polish...

cl79c10 · 09-22-2009, 04:27 PM

I did my grill a few weeks ago I tried the oven cleaner thing but it did not work. So I just sanded her down and polished her right up. Take the grill off the truck first.
Here is a photo of my grill now keep in mind it was scratched up pretty bad before.

John Pasinski · 09-22-2009, 06:11 PM

OK all...............I will just keep on; keepin' on. Thanks for the advice.

Chada · 09-22-2009, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UltraBlue71

Mine was so trashed I just painted it the same color as the truck after nudging the dents out of it. Untill I can afford a new stainless one that is! Good luck getting it to polish, I like the mothers aluminium polish...

Where can you get a stainless one?

ortegamotor · 09-22-2009, 07:31 PM

here is a picture of my old 69 grill. i removed the anidized coating then polished on a buffing wheel. good luck with your project. Tony

UltraBlue71 · 10-07-2009, 01:25 PM

Chada, LMC in Lexena KS has them, they are pretty proud of em tho....

**Classic Heartbeat** · 10-07-2009, 03:38 PM

LMC doesn't have stainless steel grills. They have aluminum, steel, and chrome plated steel. WES

scottrod71 · 10-07-2009, 03:56 PM

Mine was in good shape except it was etched by a harsh cleaner by the prior owner. I opted to powder coat it. Supposed to be a "chrome" powdercoat but not bad and certainly better than it was and cheaper than LMC's $660 grille. I paid about $125 and it took 3 days.

my67chevytruck · 10-07-2009, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ortegamotor

here is a picture of my old 69 grill. i removed the anidized coating then polished on a buffing wheel. good luck with your project. Tony

How did you remove the anodizing?

fun in dirt · 10-07-2009, 05:07 PM

I used oven cleaner to get the clear anodize off. And get the smelly expensive kind...I tried the "fume-free" and it doesn't work near as good. Soak the grill down good (after removing all the plastic inserts & such) and let it sit till you see the clear bubbling up. Then scrub it good with a brush before rinsing it off. Don't forget to wear rubber gloves & safety glasses while doing this all.
It may take doing this two or three times to get it all off.
If the grill is scratched up, sand it till scratches are gone then start increasing the paper grit until it gets smooth. Using aluminum polish is the last step. But if you want a clean, dull, brushed look...finish it off by rubing with a green scotchbrite pad & WD40.
This is what worked for me!

**BIG ORANGE** · 10-07-2009, 05:27 PM

www.eastwood.com sales a kit you mix with water and you can strip any of the ole aluminum trim pieces on the truck molding! Afterwards get a buffing wheel and some compound and make it look new again!

UltraBlue71 · 10-07-2009, 06:35 PM

My bad guys they dont have a Stainless grill! On page 71 of my LMC catalog they have the

"paintable" steel black one for 299.95 Chrome Steel one for 399.95
Aluminium one for 299.95

I stand corrected!

unclewatts · 10-08-2009, 12:08 AM

I don't understand why everyone wants to remove the anodizing from their grills. If you do, after a short time the aluminum will dull and you have to keep polishing it over and over again. The anodizing protects the aluminum and keeps it shiny. BTW, those chrome plated steel grills from LMC are only available for 71-72 chevy trucks.

sameyrasmea72 · 10-08-2009, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclewatts

I don't understand why everyone wants to remove the anodizing from their grills. If you do, after a short time the aluminum will dull and you have to keep polishing it over and over again. The anodizing protects the aluminum and keeps it shiny. BTW, those chrome plated steel grills from LMC are only available for 71-72 chevy trucks.

If a 37+ yr old grill is dull and still has the anodizing on it, there is no good way to make it shine again without removing it. Removing it may cause other problems but I don't know of a way to make an old grill shine.

unclewatts · 10-08-2009, 04:43 AM

Sounds reasonable.

storked82 · 10-09-2009, 03:28 PM

HI Guys

Just had to say those pictures of your trucks are AWSOME very good looking trucks

Take care

Jeff Main

09-22-2009, 03:11 AM	#1
John Pasinski Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: orlando Posts: 456	Grill polish What's the best way to bring a used outter grill back to life? I've tried aluminum polish and stainless polish without getting good results. Am I just not putting in enough elbow grease? What are they made of anyway? Stainless OR aluminum? Also the inner grill; what can I clean those with? Mine's pretty stained from years of neglect.

09-22-2009, 04:47 AM	#2
1970 Bowtie It's all in the timing Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lake Mary,Florida Posts: 600	Re: Grill polish Theirs been alot of differant ideas as to what works best,sanding,steel wool,metal polish,and even oven cleaner.I have not got to the grill on mine yet,but if you search this site or checkout the detail section you may find other ideas.

09-22-2009, 07:07 AM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Grill polish the grill is anodized from the factory. to polish the grill the anodizing must first b removed so you can get to the aluminum to polish it __________________ 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

09-22-2009, 02:36 PM	#4
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: Grill polish __________________ -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)

09-22-2009, 02:47 PM	#5
UltraBlue71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: OKC OK Posts: 489	Re: Grill polish Mine was so trashed I just painted it the same color as the truck after nudging the dents out of it. Untill I can afford a new stainless one that is! Good luck getting it to polish, I like the mothers aluminium polish... __________________ "You can put lipstick on a pig, sure it's pretty pig, but it's still just a PIG... 71 LWB

09-22-2009, 04:27 PM	#6
cl79c10 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: redmond oregon Posts: 93	Re: Grill polish I did my grill a few weeks ago I tried the oven cleaner thing but it did not work. So I just sanded her down and polished her right up. Take the grill off the truck first. Here is a photo of my grill now keep in mind it was scratched up pretty bad before.

09-22-2009, 06:11 PM	#7
John Pasinski Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: orlando Posts: 456	Re: Grill polish OK all...............I will just keep on; keepin' on. Thanks for the advice.

09-22-2009, 07:31 PM	#9
ortegamotor Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: auburn california Posts: 1,147	Re: Grill polish here is a picture of my old 69 grill. i removed the anidized coating then polished on a buffing wheel. good luck with your project. Tony Attached Images

10-07-2009, 01:25 PM	#10
UltraBlue71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: OKC OK Posts: 489	Re: Grill polish Chada, LMC in Lexena KS has them, they are pretty proud of em tho.... __________________ "You can put lipstick on a pig, sure it's pretty pig, but it's still just a PIG... 71 LWB

10-07-2009, 03:38 PM	#11
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,766	Re: Grill polish LMC doesn't have stainless steel grills. They have aluminum, steel, and chrome plated steel. WES __________________ 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

10-07-2009, 03:56 PM	#12
scottrod71 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Olathe, Kansas Posts: 117	Re: Grill polish Mine was in good shape except it was etched by a harsh cleaner by the prior owner. I opted to powder coat it. Supposed to be a "chrome" powdercoat but not bad and certainly better than it was and cheaper than LMC's $660 grille. I paid about $125 and it took 3 days. Attached Images

10-07-2009, 05:07 PM	#14
fun in dirt Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 2,122	Re: Grill polish I used oven cleaner to get the clear anodize off. And get the smelly expensive kind...I tried the "fume-free" and it doesn't work near as good. Soak the grill down good (after removing all the plastic inserts & such) and let it sit till you see the clear bubbling up. Then scrub it good with a brush before rinsing it off. Don't forget to wear rubber gloves & safety glasses while doing this all. It may take doing this two or three times to get it all off. If the grill is scratched up, sand it till scratches are gone then start increasing the paper grit until it gets smooth. Using aluminum polish is the last step. But if you want a clean, dull, brushed look...finish it off by rubing with a green scotchbrite pad & WD40. This is what worked for me! __________________ '72 C to K20 "Cannibalizer" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...32#post8653432 '85 K30 "Big Nassy" [B]'85 C10 [B] "Corpse" '01 2500 Suburban ...party wagon & tow truck '06 Silverado SS...DD '06 C1500 WT...DD '07 Classic C1500 WT...DD Built & sold cause can't keep 'em all: '72 Blazer "The Bucket" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=433190 '55 Chevy straight axle gasser https://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173938 '69 Pro Street Chevelle http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=332541 '86 M1031 CUCV http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=553619

10-07-2009, 05:27 PM	#15
BIG ORANGE Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Lancaster S.C. Posts: 4,764	Re: Grill polish www.eastwood.com sales a kit you mix with water and you can strip any of the ole aluminum trim pieces on the truck molding! Afterwards get a buffing wheel and some compound and make it look new again! __________________ Things happen for a reason!

10-07-2009, 06:35 PM	#16
UltraBlue71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: OKC OK Posts: 489	Re: Grill polish My bad guys they dont have a Stainless grill! On page 71 of my LMC catalog they have the "paintable" steel black one for 299.95 Chrome Steel one for 399.95 Aluminium one for 299.95 I stand corrected! __________________ "You can put lipstick on a pig, sure it's pretty pig, but it's still just a PIG... 71 LWB

10-08-2009, 12:08 AM	#17
unclewatts 70 Chevrolet=Obsession Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: nice ca Posts: 1,067	Re: Grill polish I don't understand why everyone wants to remove the anodizing from their grills. If you do, after a short time the aluminum will dull and you have to keep polishing it over and over again. The anodizing protects the aluminum and keeps it shiny. BTW, those chrome plated steel grills from LMC are only available for 71-72 chevy trucks. __________________ I'm Just like my truck. Old, Ugly and Grouchy. Except my truck starts easily in the morning and doesn't smoke! IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN! -Kermit the frog 1970 Chevrolet C-10 Longbed Stepside : 350, Muncie M20, 3.08 GM corp. positraction Forest green exterior/light green interior(Where all my money goes) 1996 Toyota Corolla (Parts runner) Last edited by unclewatts; 10-08-2009 at 12:11 AM.



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10-08-2009, 04:43 AM	#19
unclewatts 70 Chevrolet=Obsession Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: nice ca Posts: 1,067	Re: Grill polish Sounds reasonable. __________________ I'm Just like my truck. Old, Ugly and Grouchy. Except my truck starts easily in the morning and doesn't smoke! IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN! -Kermit the frog 1970 Chevrolet C-10 Longbed Stepside : 350, Muncie M20, 3.08 GM corp. positraction Forest green exterior/light green interior(Where all my money goes) 1996 Toyota Corolla (Parts runner)

10-09-2009, 03:28 PM	#20
storked82 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Vandalia IL Posts: 149	Re: Grill polish HI Guys Just had to say those pictures of your trucks are AWSOME very good looking trucks Take care Jeff Main

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