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#1 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: San Antonio TX
Posts: 251
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Polished Grill before after
Well I decided to polish the grill on my 69 since it looked bad against a new chrome grille. The grille was a solid 8 with only one dent on the pass side. I started by removing the grille and tapping out the dents as best as possible. I then used easy-off to remove the anodize. after a good cleaning, I went over the whole grille with 600grit and wd40 to smooth out any scratches etc. followed with 0000 steel wool to smooth out and give a uniform surface appearance. The next was the fun stuff. I used a 4" medium buff wheel and tripoli (brown) and did most of the work with this compound. I cleaned the surface to remove and residue and followed with a new loose wheel and white rouge to remove any haze. Finally I polished the grille using an aluminum polish I found at outzone. Not the show quality results but the grille compliments the bumper pretty darn close. As for the inner grille, I painted the surface with silver, let it dry then taped it to protect it and from the back side I painted it black leaving the look use see in the pic. Overall it took about 7hrs but well worth cost savings of a new grille. Here are some pics. Hope you like.
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: metropolis il
Posts: 91
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Re: Polished Grill before after
looks great, I have one that needs the same treatment. So did the easy off take off the anodizing pretty well? I have tried a couple things on mine and the only thing I could get to take it off was sandpaper, even tried spray can paint stripper.
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: CASA GRANDE AZ
Posts: 4,276
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Re: Polished Grill before after
looks realy goog
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70 SWB STEPSIDE 70 BLAZER 09 challenger |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 581
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Re: Polished Grill before after
Nice!
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"I'll Procrastinate Tomorrow" quote by LEEVON 71 K10 long fleet (sons truck) new 370hp 355, sm465 np205, 3.73's 33's 70 K20 long fleet 98 G3500 work van |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Gardnerville Nv No Mo Cali!!
Posts: 869
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Re: Polished Grill before after
I'm in the process of doing my grill on my 71 C-10.
I tried Easy off and White lightning to remove the anodizing but neither worked all that well. If you want to remove the anodizing quickly, use a 20:1 mix of water and sodium hydroxide (lye). Put it in a spray bottle and liberally coat it. Let it sit for ten minutes and use a Scotchbrite pad. Repeat and done. |
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#6 |
Out of the carpool lane.
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Clark Co, WA
Posts: 5,673
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Re: Polished Grill before after
That looks fantastic!! I'm not a fan of the 69-70's because of the grill, but I wouldn't mind owning that. Wow!
Ok, after looking at it closely again I'd say you really need to clean up the black overspray on the grill and headlight buckets. In fact, I think it looks way better with the headlight buckets polished instead of painted like you did.
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1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten... Last edited by Brad; 02-24-2010 at 11:46 AM. |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: South Florida
Posts: 11,375
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Re: Polished Grill before after
That looks really good, definetly worth the effort...
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Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please!!!!!. Sylvester's build thread >>>http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=big+rebuild |
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#8 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: San Antonio TX
Posts: 251
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Re: Polished Grill before after
thanks for the comments. I also didn't like the black headlight rims. Looked like the truck had black eyes. I wasn't too pleased with the quality of the aluminum bezels. They were shiny but very thin. Anyway, I dont plan on hitting them so it should be fine. I'll try the 20:1 water lye on the trim next. easy off wasn't the best but better than elbow grease and sandpaper.
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: castlegar,b.c
Posts: 277
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Re: Polished Grill before after
where can you buy lye? as i need to do my grill too.
Last edited by robzilla; 02-24-2010 at 12:27 PM. |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Gardnerville Nv No Mo Cali!!
Posts: 869
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Re: Polished Grill before after
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#11 |
SWB 4x4 Collector
![]() Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Osage City, KS
Posts: 5,153
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Re: Polished Grill before after
Some hardware stores keep it in plumbing sections. Trevor
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TREVOR ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=624819 ![]() ![]() :2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (daily driver) WTB: 1968-70 Cruise Control Lever |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mesa, AZ
Posts: 226
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Re: Polished Grill before after
LMC Truck sure likes the 69-70s....a new grill shell in their catalog is $1150 vs something like under $400 for a 71-72. Crazy.
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#13 |
*************
![]() Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 17,846
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Re: Polished Grill before after
It looks great! Have you thought about shooting a coat of clearcoat on it to preserve the shine?
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Rob - https://www.instagram.com/hart_rod_c10 As Iron Sharpens Iron, So One Man Sharpens Another. Proverbs 27:17 FOR SALE: DBW pedal bracket - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=651123 FOR SALE: Hood Brackets http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=679945 1987 Silverado SWB - 34.5K original miles http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=801834 1969 SuperBurb - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=200387 1968 Farm truck - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=358692 1968 SWB - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=551258 1948 Chevy - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=122164&page=3 |
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#14 |
Out of the carpool lane.
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Clark Co, WA
Posts: 5,673
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Hey, I also noticed the chrome bumper isn't there anymore. Why did you take it off? It looks really good with your blingin' grill!
![]() I did a little 'paint' for ya and I think this would make the grill perfect:
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1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten... Last edited by Brad; 02-25-2010 at 03:51 AM. |
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#15 |
Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires
![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 23,090
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Re: Polished Grill before after
I think the last pic was his "before" pic.
I like it, good job ![]()
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Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride ![]() American Born, Country by the Grace of God ![]() 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! |
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#16 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SE WY
Posts: 640
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Re: Polished Grill before after
That is a nice job. What kinda paint did ya use for the lettering?
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72 chevy 3/4 ton 4X4 |
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#17 |
Happy to be here
![]() Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 39,023
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Re: Polished Grill before after
That turned out awesome.
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Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra" |
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#18 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: San Antonio TX
Posts: 251
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Re: Polished Grill before after
I do plan on adding the stripping this weekend. It would cover areas I just couldn't reach with the buffing wheel. I'll post update Saturday.
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#19 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,006
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Re: Polished Grill before after
Looks good!!
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#20 |
1968 C20 Vortec Beast
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: STILLWATER,OKLAHOMA
Posts: 483
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Re: Polished Grill before after
How about using an aerosol clear coat to seal it and easier to keep clean?
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Ugly or not it still kicks a**! |
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Vilseck Germany (currently)
Posts: 317
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Re: Polished Grill before after
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Vilseck Germany (currently)
Posts: 317
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Re: Polished Grill before after
I'll bet someone could do all his trim the same way. A little time, patience, and elbow grease can save about $2000 in new trim costs. Cnut
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#23 |
Grandpa in the rustmobile...
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN
Posts: 11,422
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Re: Polished Grill before after
wow looks great!!!!! good job!
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John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 |
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