polishing grill - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

short step · 02-11-2008, 11:29 PM

what are you guys using to get the scratches out of an aluminum grill???
bob

72BLUZ · 02-12-2008, 12:16 AM

try some rearl fine wool and use on a spot that cant be seen. and then try mothers alum polish to finish

ChevLoRay · 02-12-2008, 01:54 AM

Eastwood and Sherwin-Williams automotive paints have an air-powered kit that has different polishing compounds, buffing tools and an air motor to drive 'em.

I went to a guy who does restorations and asked him about my grille, which I thought didn't look too bad. After he quoted, "$450-500" to restore it, and knowing I can get a new NOS grille for a few dollars more.....I talked to a buddy who has a powder-coatin' 'bidness. He's the one who showed me the buffing tool. It's around $100.

But the process should be to sand, sand, sand to get the "small" scratches out, and the metal as smooth as it can be, then start the polishing process, progressing through the different compounds until it is time to polish. After that, it's time to seal it. I'm going to use Zoop's, if all their hype is to be believed.

Or, I could just go buy another grille, but I can't afford NOS and I don't want Repop.

67_C-30 · 02-12-2008, 02:04 AM

The problem with these grills is that they are annodized, and you have to get through the thin-but-hard layer of annodizing before you can polish the aluminum. It's doable, but it is a LOT of work to do it right. Once you get the layer of annodization off, the problem then is it becomes neccessary to polish it more often and there's a maintenance factor it.

redsled04 · 02-12-2008, 02:35 AM

Theres an acid you can soak the grill in to take off the annodizing. I cant remeber what kind.

02-11-2008, 11:29 PM	#1
short step Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ludlow,MA Posts: 145	polishing grill what are you guys using to get the scratches out of an aluminum grill??? bob

02-12-2008, 12:16 AM	#2
72BLUZ Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: lafayette, ga. Posts: 832	Re: polishing grill try some rearl fine wool and use on a spot that cant be seen. and then try mothers alum polish to finish __________________ Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.... Ronald Reagan

02-12-2008, 01:54 AM	#3
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: polishing grill Eastwood and Sherwin-Williams automotive paints have an air-powered kit that has different polishing compounds, buffing tools and an air motor to drive 'em. I went to a guy who does restorations and asked him about my grille, which I thought didn't look too bad. After he quoted, "$450-500" to restore it, and knowing I can get a new NOS grille for a few dollars more.....I talked to a buddy who has a powder-coatin' 'bidness. He's the one who showed me the buffing tool. It's around $100. But the process should be to sand, sand, sand to get the "small" scratches out, and the metal as smooth as it can be, then start the polishing process, progressing through the different compounds until it is time to polish. After that, it's time to seal it. I'm going to use Zoop's, if all their hype is to be believed. Or, I could just go buy another grille, but I can't afford NOS and I don't want Repop. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

02-12-2008, 02:04 AM	#4
67_C-30 I have a radical idea! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sweet Home Alabama! Posts: 6,513	Re: polishing grill The problem with these grills is that they are annodized, and you have to get through the thin-but-hard layer of annodizing before you can polish the aluminum. It's doable, but it is a LOT of work to do it right. Once you get the layer of annodization off, the problem then is it becomes neccessary to polish it more often and there's a maintenance factor it. __________________ '67 C-30 Dually Pickup 6.2 Turbo Diesel, NP435 ‘72 C-10 SWB , 350 4bbl, TH350 '69 C-10 SWB , 250 L6, 3 OTT '69 GMC C3500, dump truck, 351 V6, NP435 '84 M1009 CUCV Military Blazer 67 C-30 Turbodiesel build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=254096 My trucks http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/d...ediafilter=all Member of the 1-Ton Club!

02-12-2008, 02:35 AM	#5
redsled04 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Maple valley WA. Posts: 128	Re: polishing grill Theres an acid you can soak the grill in to take off the annodizing. I cant remeber what kind.



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