Should have left the grill alone

[S_Gibson]

As the title says, I feel I should have left the grill alone. I had an itch this weekend and decided the grill on the old truck needed a refresh. I received a catalog Friday with a nice 69/70 C10 on the front cover and a shiny aluminum grill. The grill I have on mine was not so shiny as someone over the last 49 years painted it grey. I started taking it off Sunday, breaking a few rusted bolts, clips and screws along the way.

Yesterday I hit it up with paint stripper. Several layers deep I found some tough primer that did not want to be removed and body filler. I used a small soft brass brush and a lot of elbow. As I started getting deeper I found all the flaws they were hiding. Dents and dings of all types. Guess I should have expected it. Much of the finish on the edges it scuffed pretty severely. Assuming it was to hold primer and mud. Still have a few sections to clean up.

Guess I have a lot of sanding and tedious work trying to straighten everything and polish. I hit a section with some 240 grit and it smoothed out consistent. I'll have to get finer grit and see where the sweet spot is to get is smooth and holding a shine.

The plastic insert I painted black. One of the tabs on the top that hold it in place it broken, but I will make a clip to hold it in place enough not to move. The plastic feel brittle to begin with.

I also noticed the trim rings around the headlights are broken. Surprised one never feel out driving down the road. I'll have to find replacements.

Anyone have suggestions on straightening and polishing? I think it looks better, but starting to feel I should have left it alone.

[notsolo]

I made wooden blocks that match the profile, was able the clamp blocks with aluminium sandwiched in between. Hard place to get at even with it off the truck.

[LockDoc]

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I have a few pieces of flat wood I carved into different shapes so they will fit down into the grooves in the back of the grille. I then rounded the ends so there are no sharp edges and use these to gently tap out the dents and dings. There are a lot of threads on here about polishing aluminum grilles. If you type "polish grille" into the Google search box above, click on the circle in front of "67-72chevytrucks.com" and click on the Google button you will get a lot of threads on the subject.

LockDoc

[VWNate1]

Looks better than the one on my '69 does .

I bought a GM Heritage grille, it was total crap and couldn't be made to fit by a competent Auto Restorer so back it went .

[S_Gibson]

Great ideas on cutting wood to try to reform sections of the GRILLE (I see it isn't grill). I has some pieces of dowel rods and a hammer I was thinking of trying, but this gives me better idea.

I did search for idea of using Everbrite once I get a finish worth putting it over. guess I'll sand on it until I get a fine enough finish to polish.

Thanks for the input.

[jeffahart]

Here's a nice how to for you.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...lified.799131/



j

[Coley]

...its looking good, keep going and don't worry about the temporary regret.

You'll like the final result when you get it back on and the time it took usually fades.

all good
Coley

[custom10nut]

I’d say it looks pretty good