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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: El Paso, Tx.
Posts: 283
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Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
As most us know, aluminum grills are hard to find. We mostly see 64-66 if any. I have been on lookout for months for a '63 grill, no dice. Then some of you are fortunate to grow 'em on trees (Rene C/10 King).
![]() While cleaning out the garage, I noticed too many spray cans. Why not put 'em to use. Started with the basic tools for removal, die grinder, 4 in. grinder, wire wheels, and some spray cans. Now we all know there is no such thing as chrome paint, so I renamed it 60-66 C-10 Anodized Grill Paint. This is before removing anything on my Panel. You can't really tell on these pics but the white paint was really on there. Somebody went paint brush crazy on it. Another angle. The screws on the trim rings were in really bad shape. I'm sorry I skipped a pic, but I removed the complete grill with lights and all because the trim rings would not come out. Once it was out, I ground out the rivet fasteners to get to the trim ring screws. Besides it gives access to paint the headlight brackets.
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![]() '03 3500 Duramax dually '96 1500 ext. cab Chevy '66 swb C-10 '63 Panel '60 VW vert '56 VW vert |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: El Paso, Tx.
Posts: 283
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
Now here are the headlight brackets. This gives me time to replace bad screws. I used a wire brush and a Scothbrite scuff pad since I don't have a bead blaster. I also get to primer paint. I used a flat black to match up the patina.
A light scuff with the pad and a light primer will do. Since the grinders won't fit, I also scuffed the back of the grill. I did half of the paint removal here. This is where the die grinder helps. It'll get in through tight spots with the wire wheel bit.
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![]() '03 3500 Duramax dually '96 1500 ext. cab Chevy '66 swb C-10 '63 Panel '60 VW vert '56 VW vert |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: El Paso, Tx.
Posts: 283
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
Here is the grill with the paint removed. One thing I don't recommend is using paint remover. Wire wheels and paint remover do not mix, you'll get it all over.
Here I can take a grinder break and paint the body with a flat black. Another angle. Two coats of this flat black from a dollar store does the job. While the body dries, I continued on the brackets. Like I mentioned earlier, a scuff pad helps. Rust dust gets all over.
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![]() '03 3500 Duramax dually '96 1500 ext. cab Chevy '66 swb C-10 '63 Panel '60 VW vert '56 VW vert |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Oregon
Posts: 3,303
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
So far , so good!
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GOD BLESS AMERICA! |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: El Paso, Tx.
Posts: 283
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
Now I tape up the rest of the body for the white.
Here's the first coat. On this I used a white primer for paint. Simply because the dam can was in my way. I didn't want that glossy look either. Looking better without the tape. Hood closed looks even better. Another angle. All that headlight wiring was already brittle, so I replaced it and rerouted for a cleaner look.
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![]() '03 3500 Duramax dually '96 1500 ext. cab Chevy '66 swb C-10 '63 Panel '60 VW vert '56 VW vert |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Grants Pass, OR
Posts: 543
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
looking good.
I love that way of deciding paint color. The can was in my way ![]() |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: El Paso, Tx.
Posts: 283
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
Now it's time to overspray the neighbors.
Can't forget the trim rings. First light coat. Those are done. After the second coat. Here you can coat the back of all pieces.
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![]() '03 3500 Duramax dually '96 1500 ext. cab Chevy '66 swb C-10 '63 Panel '60 VW vert '56 VW vert |
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#8 |
But Found Her 25yrs Later!
![]() Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 10,525
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
That is looking really good.
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I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035 |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: El Paso, Tx.
Posts: 283
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
I forgot to mention earlier but when I assembled the headlight brackets to the grill, I simply got some small screws with nuts to replace the rivets. These clips are for the trim rings. Now....why does Harbor Freights have to sell me a whole box? I just need 6.
And here it is assembled together. Front view. And the other side view. Pretty damm close if you ask me,.....at least at 55 mph passing by. And that's how save time and money looking for an aluminum grill.
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![]() '03 3500 Duramax dually '96 1500 ext. cab Chevy '66 swb C-10 '63 Panel '60 VW vert '56 VW vert |
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#10 |
Registered User
![]() ![]() Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 3,325
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
Man that does look good ! Really needed the detail behind the grille to, looks great !
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IS IT an EATON or Chevrolet rear axle https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=843778 The hubcap thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=702839 WANTED : 1963-1966 6 Cylinder Fan Shroud WANTED :1964-1966 PANEL TRUCK |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: los angeles,ca
Posts: 3,617
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
That looks pretty damn good! I never have liked chrome paint but that came out great
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#12 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Burbank CA
Posts: 3,055
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
NICE! It's ultra rare magnetic aluminum.
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#13 |
#16876
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Auburn WA
Posts: 12,266
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
[QUOTE=chakah;6444127]I forgot to mention earlier but when I assembled the headlight brackets to the grill, I simply got some small screws with nuts to replace the rivets. These clips are for the trim rings. Now....why does Harbor Freights have to sell me a whole box? I just need 6.
Attachment 1193834 Because the other 94 will break (jk) ![]()
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Posted via Stationary Device '71 Custom Deluxe C-20 402. '67 Buick Special 455. '49 Plymouth Special Deluxe. "I love that old car smell" ![]() Some people are like Slinkies... not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs. |
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#14 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 10,384
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
That does look perrty darn good! Heck of alot cheaper then getting it chromed! Might give that a shot just for the fun of it!
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1966 Chevy C10 "Project Two Tone" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=596643 1964 GMC "Crustine" semi-build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=665056 My youtube channel. Username "Military Chevy": https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_h...fzpcUXyK_5-uiw |
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#15 | ||
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: El Paso, Tx.
Posts: 283
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
Quote:
![]() Quote:
![]() there you go oem, that's what I'll stick to ...that's no lie, thanks
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![]() '03 3500 Duramax dually '96 1500 ext. cab Chevy '66 swb C-10 '63 Panel '60 VW vert '56 VW vert |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Monroe,Iowa
Posts: 4,370
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
When I was growing UP, we called that paint "DUTCH CHROME" but I think it turned out pretty good and it's a improvement over what you started with.
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Phenix City, AL
Posts: 244
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
Yep might have to borrow this but all the credit will be yours my friend... Great job!!
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May your life be like a roll of toilet paper... Long and useful or short and crappy!!! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=584520 |
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#18 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: Doodah Kansas
Posts: 7,773
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
that is astoundingly great!
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the mass of men live lives of quiet desperation if there is a problem, I can have it. new project WAYNE http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=844393 |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Chester, VA
Posts: 3
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
very nice job!
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Walnut Grove, Ca
Posts: 216
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
Nice job. I dont think a guy on here hasn't at one time or another tried their hand at chrome paint... I just gotta ask..
how come they just dont sell the paint they colored the spray paint can lid!? Haha
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66 Gmc 1 ton. Long Step 351e V6 69 1/2 CHEVROLET (now a shortbed) LONGBED! ![]() ![]() 61 Shortbed Fleetside 1/2 ton.. in progress Next a 50-53! MY BUILD THREAD http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=447926 |
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#21 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: apple valley, ca
Posts: 2,670
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
Wow, what a makeover! The coolest part is that it took very little money (but a lot of labor) and the results are outstanding. Nice job!
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Check out my latest endeavor: https://roundsixpod.com My build threads: '55 Chevy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=247512 '64 C-20: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446527 |
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#22 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Posts: 2,071
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
The grill turned out great. I've wondered about the chrome paint and how it would look but never tried it. Seems to be a winner.
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Sanity'66 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=515110 Long bed, Fleetside, Small back window I've Done So Much, With So Little, For So Long, That Now I Can Do Anything With Nothing. ![]() |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Chaparral NM
Posts: 693
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
Looks chingon brutha! The hard work paid off at the end!
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#24 |
Senior Enthusiast
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Spokane Valley, WA
Posts: 8,356
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
Nice improvement! The detailing behind really makes it work.
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: A****er, CA
Posts: 5,594
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill
Holly sh#t, can I send you half a dozen 63' grills to redo?????
![]() ![]() ![]() Just kidding, ![]() ![]()
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C/10 Rene 1966 Short Fleet "The Hag" 1967 CST Short Fleet "Dark Poly" 1971 Short Fleet 1970 Jimmy Custom 2 WD "Golden Ticket" 1972 Blazer 2 WD "Retro Blaze" |
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