Stripping Grille

[old51sedan]

I've read several articles on stripping grilles. So I thought I would try doing mine. I first tried the toilet bowl cleaner, didn't began to touch it. Next used some drain cleaner with Sulfuric acid, bad stuff, didn't faze it either. Called a shop that does anodized aluminum, they said they would strip it and then reanodize it when done for 225.00. Trying to sand that all off is really time consuming. A new one don't sound all that bad now.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by old51sedan

I've read several articles on stripping grilles. So I thought I would try doing mine. I first tried the toilet bowl cleaner, didn't began to touch it. Next used some drain cleaner with Sulfuric acid, bad stuff, didn't faze it either. Called a shop that does anodized aluminum, they said they would strip it and then reanodize it when done for 225.00. Trying to sand that all off is really time consuming. A new one don't sound all that bad now.

Here are some threads on the subject that have been posted on the board....

https://www.google.com/search?domain...D%3A1%3B&hl=en

LockDoc

[dunc018]

Its been a while since I did mine but we used Easy Off Oven cleaner to remove the anodizing and then sanded to fine grit where needed and then polished. It turned out well. I found several posts here and elsewhere about the process

[mr.mud1]

i did all the side moldings on my 67 impala wagon,realizing that if i started buying N.O.S i'd have to buy them all.i had already spent a fortune on N.O.S for all the moldings,trim,tailights on the tailgate and accross the back of the car and 3 pieces of the rear bumper,then most of the trim on the front,eyebrows,hoodlip,2 of the 3 front bumper pieces,an N.O.S roof rack and on and on.i thought i'd save a buck and see what i could do so i made a tray out of a piece of rain gutter,bought a bottle of lye at the local hardware store.mixed it with water and soaked the moldings,1 at a time.it didn't take too long and the water/lye was a frothy filthy mess. i took the moldings out after a while,hosed them off and then polished them and sprayed them with satin finish clear coat.they aren't correct but look fine to me.clean looking and not too shiny.just my 2 cents worth.

[old51sedan]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

Here are some threads on the subject that have been posted on the board....

https://www.google.com/search?domain...D%3A1%3B&hl=en

LockDoc

Thanks for the reply's, I have read some of the threads that were posted before, but LockDoc's were some I hadn't seen before. I think I'm going to give it one more shot with the easy-off oven cleaner before I decide what to do.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by old51sedan

Thanks for the reply's, I have read some of the threads that were posted before, but LockDoc's were some I hadn't seen before. I think I'm going to give it one more shot with the easy-off oven cleaner before I decide what to do.

Let us know how it goes.

LockDoc

[RustyBucket]

Originally Posted by old51sedan

A new one don't sound all that bad now.

Aside from the shipping/down time, $225 stripped & re anodized sounds pretty good to me. That's providing they do a nice careful job. Regarding a new one, the last NOS one I saw was VERY PRICEY. Plenty of horror stories about quality, fit & finish on aftermarket ones.... mine included.

[Nh4clo4]

I brought mine to a shop that specializes in trim work, they dipped it, to remove the anodizing, hammered out the dents, then polished it, I used sharkhyde coating to protect it, it’s not installed yet, but it is the original 70 grill to the truck

[old51sedan]

Originally Posted by Nh4clo4

I brought mine to a shop that specializes in trim work, they dipped it, to remove the anodizing, hammered out the dents, then polished it, I used sharkhyde coating to protect it, it’s not installed yet, but it is the original 70 grill to the truck

Your grille looks great. I wouldn't have a problem doing that, but can't seem to find anyone I my area that does this sort of thing. Can you give us an idea of how bad your grille was and what it cost you to have this done?

[mkmc69]

Originally Posted by old51sedan

Your grille looks great. I wouldn't have a problem doing that, but can't seem to find anyone I my area that does this sort of thing. Can you give us an idea of how bad your grille was and what it cost you to have this done?

I agree! That does look awesome! Original parts are always the best, hands down.

[sick472]

Originally Posted by Nh4clo4

...I used sharkhyde coating to protect it...

That grill looks awesome! How much experience have you had with sharkhyde? I have some non-anodized custom aluminum pieces on my truck and have considered using this product before the truck hits the streets.

[Nh4clo4]

The grill shell was in good shape, but several rock dings in it, it was 450.00 to remove the anodizing, hammer and dolly out the dents / dings, then polish and buff. The shark Hyde seems like a very good product, but I haven’t had it out doors yet, I’ve used it on some other parts not truck related, and it seems to work great, the place that did the work recommend it.

[old51sedan]

The rest of the story as Paul Harvey would say. After using dollar store oven cleaner and some drain cleaner with acid in it as pictured in first post, I decided as a last ditch effort to try easy off heavy duty oven cleaner. Man what a difference. The first application took about 85 percent off and the second finish it all off. I used steel wool the first time, but this second time I used a red very fine sanding pad and that words wonders, it doesn't brake apart like steel wool. Thanks guys for getting me on the right track.

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by old51sedan

The rest of the story as Paul Harvey would say. After using dollar store oven cleaner and some drain cleaner with acid in it as pictured in first post, I decided as a last ditch effort to try easy off heavy duty oven cleaner. Man what a difference. The first application took about 85 percent off and the second finish it all off. I used steel wool the first time, but this second time I used a red very fine sanding pad and that words wonders, it doesn't brake apart like steel wool. Thanks guys for getting me on the right track.

I know you already did but you shouldn't use steel wool on aluminum the steel can get into the aluminum and will eventually corrode.