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

crustysarge · 08-13-2004, 06:24 AM

OK, 72 Cheyenne outer grill, best way to polish? Mine has no dents or dings but looks like went to town with sandpaper and it is all scrathed. How can you make them look better?

Is it Alum. or steel?

crustysarge · 08-13-2004, 06:25 AM

boy, i need to proof read 1st...

70c10 · 08-13-2004, 07:12 AM

Here's a link to a site that explains a method that should work. He did my fathers grille and it turned out awesome!
http://www.ieasysite.com/starquestri...strims_006.htm

Terry Peerson · 08-13-2004, 07:20 AM

The '72 outer grill surround is made of anodized aluminum. Anodizing is a process whereby aluminum is subjected to a chemical bath/electric charge. This creates a thin layer of oxidation that protects it from further corrosion. You can try to remove this coating by sanding or you can remove it with a caustic cleaner. I have heard that ez-off oven cleaner will do the job pretty easily. However, once removed, the aluminum is no longer protected from corrosion. It will polish up nicely, but will have to be frequently polished to keep it shiny. Or, you can have it re-anodized. I have read a few articles on the internet about "Home anodizing" and it doesn't look like it would be very difficult. Re-anodizing does require some nasty chemicals though.

TP

kaycee · 08-13-2004, 09:40 AM

I am currently going through this process on my 69,I used easy-off oven cleaner with a scotch brite pad.Next I started sanding with 600 grit wet ,then I went to 1000 grit wet sand and next i'm gonna do the 1500 grit my grilll looked like it sat in a sand storm before and now it looks alot better than it did but not perfect.I am gonna use an buffing wheel on it next to bring the shine back

miket · 08-13-2004, 12:11 PM

This was a good post...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...8&page=1&pp=25

RON WOODGEARD · 08-13-2004, 05:03 PM

I did a "How to" a couple of years ago, with pictures. But it was lost in a changeover of servers. My grille has been Unprotected for going on three years. All I would have to do is hit it with some Polish. I had quite a few dents in mine, no holes, I worked it just like body work, and sanded the high spots of the dents with sand paper to smooth it out. Then as with anything else, sand with smoother grit until you can use polish to finish it up. Different people have different ideas on a daily driver, I did just the outer grille, As I had installed a billet inner.

fast71 · 08-13-2004, 09:22 PM

Mike T ,, Thanks . I found a grill like what your speaking of . I got it yesterday and when I got home tonight I started on it. I did the easy off oven cleaner thing tonight and hit with a med. sanding sponge and then with a fine sponge . I started polishing it tonight and out of polish. I will post pics tomorrow.

crustysarge · 08-14-2004, 02:34 PM

Thanks guys, since the wife now claims the truck, guess she will do the sanding...

08-13-2004, 06:24 AM	#1
crustysarge Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Aviano, Italy Posts: 221	Polishing The Grill OK, 72 Cheyenne outer grill, best way to polish? Mine has no dents or dings but looks like went to town with sandpaper and it is all scrathed. How can you make them look better? Is it Alum. or steel?

08-13-2004, 07:12 AM	#3
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	Here's a link to a site that explains a method that should work. He did my fathers grille and it turned out awesome! http://www.ieasysite.com/starquestri...strims_006.htm __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

08-13-2004, 09:40 AM	#5
kaycee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Wyoming USA Posts: 2,445	I am currently going through this process on my 69,I used easy-off oven cleaner with a scotch brite pad.Next I started sanding with 600 grit wet ,then I went to 1000 grit wet sand and next i'm gonna do the 1500 grit my grilll looked like it sat in a sand storm before and now it looks alot better than it did but not perfect.I am gonna use an buffing wheel on it next to bring the shine back __________________ 2001 Silverado K-1500 2005 FXDWG stage3 69 CHEVY Short/Step 327/4L60 373 posi 63 IMPALA 327

08-13-2004, 12:11 PM	#6
miket Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 1,466	This was a good post...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...8&page=1&pp=25 __________________ FocuzTech Performance Evergreen Protective Coatings Gatorhyde...the best kept secret in spray in bed lining & protection

08-13-2004, 05:03 PM	#7
RON WOODGEARD Resident Young Old Dude ! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nevada Posts: 1,948	I did a "How to" a couple of years ago, with pictures. But it was lost in a changeover of servers. My grille has been Unprotected for going on three years. All I would have to do is hit it with some Polish. I had quite a few dents in mine, no holes, I worked it just like body work, and sanded the high spots of the dents with sand paper to smooth it out. Then as with anything else, sand with smoother grit until you can use polish to finish it up. Different people have different ideas on a daily driver, I did just the outer grille, As I had installed a billet inner. Last edited by RON WOODGEARD; 08-13-2004 at 05:07 PM.

08-13-2004, 06:25 AM	#2
crustysarge Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Aviano, Italy Posts: 221	boy, i need to proof read 1st...

08-13-2004, 07:20 AM	#4
Terry Peerson Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bonner Springs, KS Posts: 307	The '72 outer grill surround is made of anodized aluminum. Anodizing is a process whereby aluminum is subjected to a chemical bath/electric charge. This creates a thin layer of oxidation that protects it from further corrosion. You can try to remove this coating by sanding or you can remove it with a caustic cleaner. I have heard that ez-off oven cleaner will do the job pretty easily. However, once removed, the aluminum is no longer protected from corrosion. It will polish up nicely, but will have to be frequently polished to keep it shiny. Or, you can have it re-anodized. I have read a few articles on the internet about "Home anodizing" and it doesn't look like it would be very difficult. Re-anodizing does require some nasty chemicals though. TP

08-13-2004, 09:22 PM	#8
fast71 Drive it like U stole it Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: tunnel hill ,GA /Chatt,TN Posts: 956	Mike T ,, Thanks . I found a grill like what your speaking of . I got it yesterday and when I got home tonight I started on it. I did the easy off oven cleaner thing tonight and hit with a med. sanding sponge and then with a fine sponge . I started polishing it tonight and out of polish. I will post pics tomorrow. __________________ 71 custom 10 swb 72 nova ss 72 nova custom 87 s10 96 burb 94 camry 53 5 window 3100

08-14-2004, 02:34 PM	#9
crustysarge Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Aviano, Italy Posts: 221	Thanks guys, since the wife now claims the truck, guess she will do the sanding...



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