Polishing front grill/chrome - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

nasqar · 11-07-2010, 07:44 PM

My grill and front end chrome pieces are not in the best of shape. Can we get some pics of some front ends that have been cleaned up? Tell me/us how you did the clean up...sand paper, steel wool, chrome paint, anything....how did you make it look good without spending hundreds of dollars.

eightbanger · 11-07-2010, 07:50 PM

I always post this when this question comes up...i'll have to do it myself one day.

YouTube - 63 impala video 49? POLISHING...

haysonj · 11-07-2010, 07:50 PM

You have to get the anodize off first, I've heard oven cleaner will do but I sent mine to a chrome shop and had it dipped then polished with metal polish and buffer.

nasqar · 11-07-2010, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eightbanger

I always post this when this question comes up...i'll have to do it myself one day.

YouTube - 63 impala video 49? POLISHING TRIM SECRET

This is ABSOLUTELY amazing......thank you so MUCH for responding!

*mrhino* · 11-08-2010, 07:36 AM

ttt

cdowns · 11-08-2010, 11:08 AM

dont try doing that method of removing the anodizing with the trim on the truck as it probally will damage the paint and or remain in hidden nooks and crannies and cause body rot

cdowns · 11-08-2010, 11:09 AM

dont try doing that method of removing the anodizing with the trim on the truck as it probally will damage the paint and or remain in hidden nooks and crannies and cause body rot

the only chrome on the frontend is the bumper

blkcorvair · 12-23-2011, 09:51 AM

I heard that method before. Never seen that video tho. Little more re-assuring

**Classic Heartbeat** · 12-23-2011, 11:41 AM

Remember once you remove the annodizing you have to keep pollishing the part. The annodizing is what keeps the part from oxidizing onced pollished. WES

GASoline71 · 12-23-2011, 12:02 PM

Or you could do what the PO of my truck did... and use aluminized tape!

Gary

schmedly · 12-23-2011, 12:50 PM

Would that work on painted trim? On my 67 the trim is painted and I really like the chrome look.

ryans69chevy · 12-23-2011, 10:37 PM

yeah, I use drain-o, but use the liquid crystal form it does pretty good! It takes a long time to do the the whole process! Once your done though for protecting I believe you could just get it clear coated which would prevent it from oxidizing, I know that is some what expensive, but once you think about all the money you are restoring the original pieces instead of buying aftermarket stuff, I think it's worth it.

**jocko** · 12-23-2011, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schmedly

Would that work on painted trim? On my 67 the trim is painted and I really like the chrome look.

It would maybe, but probably not required. The oven cleaner, or in this guy's case - the hair and grease remover - is simply to remove the anodizing - then you still have all the polishing work left as mentioned in a post above. If you want the shiny stuff under your paint, just start polishing, it'll go away in the process. Or you could strip the paint with some paint stripper - but I'd just start polishing. Personally, I would not mess with oven cleaner or hair/grease remover if all you want to do is get rid of the paint and show the shiny trim underneath.

UNLESS - it's an anodized piece that's been painted - in which case YES, do what that guy did in the vid.

ryans69chevy · 12-23-2011, 11:28 PM

One headlight bezel is complete!

ryans69chevy · 12-23-2011, 11:31 PM

This bezel is original. Hopefully you noticed there isn't any little tiny rock chips anymore, I got them all out!

**Already Gone** · 12-24-2011, 12:57 AM

ttt

74baggedbug · 08-30-2013, 11:21 AM

Couldn't I use aircraft stripper to remove the coating?? I've used it on wheels before to remove the factory clear before we polished them... Thanks
Posted via Mobile Device

El Campo · 08-31-2013, 10:07 AM

Thanks for bumping this one! Going to try it
Posted via Mobile Device

nasqar · 09-08-2013, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryans69chevy

One headlight bezel is complete!

What did you use to polish this? Was it a buffer or a rag? What polish did you specifically use? Sorry about all the questions, I got in trouble in school for asking to many questions also and haven't learned my lesson, lol!

mmiddle · 09-08-2013, 05:01 PM

That Drain Cleaner in the video is awesome! Home Depot carries it in the plumbing department. It is the only stuff in a black bottle with a HEAVY zip-lock bag over it!

I degreased my grill then stripped it. Then straightened it the best I could and polished it with a high speed drill motor and buffing wheel. Using Mothers alum polish. Looks beautiful.

11-07-2010, 07:44 PM	#1
nasqar Here kitty kitty kitty Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Perrysville, IN Posts: 548	Polishing front grill/chrome My grill and front end chrome pieces are not in the best of shape. Can we get some pics of some front ends that have been cleaned up? Tell me/us how you did the clean up...sand paper, steel wool, chrome paint, anything....how did you make it look good without spending hundreds of dollars.

11-07-2010, 07:50 PM	#3
haysonj Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Santa Maria, Ca. Posts: 1,423	Re: Polishing front grill/chrome You have to get the anodize off first, I've heard oven cleaner will do but I sent mine to a chrome shop and had it dipped then polished with metal polish and buffer. Attached Images __________________ 69 Chevy 4x4 383 Power

11-08-2010, 07:36 AM	#5
mrhino Account Suspended Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,223	Re: Polishing front grill/chrome ttt

11-08-2010, 11:08 AM	#6
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Polishing front grill/chrome dont try doing that method of removing the anodizing with the trim on the truck as it probally will damage the paint and or remain in hidden nooks and crannies and cause body rot __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

11-08-2010, 11:09 AM	#7
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Polishing front grill/chrome dont try doing that method of removing the anodizing with the trim on the truck as it probally will damage the paint and or remain in hidden nooks and crannies and cause body rot the only chrome on the frontend is the bumper __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

12-23-2011, 09:51 AM	#8
blkcorvair Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 787	Re: Polishing front grill/chrome I heard that method before. Never seen that video tho. Little more re-assuring

12-23-2011, 11:41 AM	#9
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	Re: Polishing front grill/chrome Remember once you remove the annodizing you have to keep pollishing the part. The annodizing is what keeps the part from oxidizing onced pollished. WES __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

12-23-2011, 12:50 PM	#11
schmedly Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Philip SD Posts: 30	Re: Polishing front grill/chrome Would that work on painted trim? On my 67 the trim is painted and I really like the chrome look.

12-23-2011, 10:37 PM	#12
ryans69chevy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Casselton, North Dakota 58012 Posts: 1,074	Re: Polishing front grill/chrome yeah, I use drain-o, but use the liquid crystal form it does pretty good! It takes a long time to do the the whole process! Once your done though for protecting I believe you could just get it clear coated which would prevent it from oxidizing, I know that is some what expensive, but once you think about all the money you are restoring the original pieces instead of buying aftermarket stuff, I think it's worth it.

12-23-2011, 11:28 PM	#14
ryans69chevy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Casselton, North Dakota 58012 Posts: 1,074	Re: Polishing front grill/chrome One headlight bezel is complete! Attached Images

12-23-2011, 11:31 PM	#15
ryans69chevy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Casselton, North Dakota 58012 Posts: 1,074	Re: Polishing front grill/chrome This bezel is original. Hopefully you noticed there isn't any little tiny rock chips anymore, I got them all out!

12-24-2011, 12:57 AM	#16
Already Gone 70+ ( Old Skool Club ) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada Posts: 9,108	Re: Polishing front grill/chrome ttt __________________ 1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4 1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package 1992 K1500 GMC Suburban Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601 " Circumsatances Do Not Change Responsibility " " The Sky is not the Limit, Your Mind is." Marilyn Monroe .. RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021

08-30-2013, 11:21 AM	#17
74baggedbug Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Houston tx Posts: 701	Re: Polishing front grill/chrome Couldn't I use aircraft stripper to remove the coating?? I've used it on wheels before to remove the factory clear before we polished them... Thanks Posted via Mobile Device

08-31-2013, 10:07 AM	#18
El Campo Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: El Campo, Tx Posts: 1,246	Re: Polishing front grill/chrome Thanks for bumping this one! Going to try it Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 72 Chevy blue LWB, 99% original Oklahoma truck, 28,000 miles 72 Chevy SWB: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=486626 (Attempt/Mistake #2) 2003 Harley Davidson Dyna Superglide with 2007 Street Bob front end 2000 Ford F350 Powerstroke 4WD CCLB, 310,000 miles running great (STOLEN St. Patricks Day 2014 AND NEVER RECOVERED) 2002 Ford F250 Powerstroke 4WD CCLB (To replace stolen one) Hook em Horns!!!

09-08-2013, 05:01 PM	#20
mmiddle Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Forestburg, Texas Posts: 659	Re: Polishing front grill/chrome That Drain Cleaner in the video is awesome! Home Depot carries it in the plumbing department. It is the only stuff in a black bottle with a HEAVY zip-lock bag over it! I degreased my grill then stripped it. Then straightened it the best I could and polished it with a high speed drill motor and buffing wheel. Using Mothers alum polish. Looks beautiful. __________________ Mark Jesus is the Way! 2003 2500HD CCLB Duramax/Ali (Clifford) 2014 2SS/RS black on black Camaro (Betty) 2006 Pontiac SOLSTICE silver/black (Lula-Bell) 1970 C/10 Short Wide (Peggy) 1964 C/10 Short Step (Hambone) RIP Jimmy Hamilton Thank you for the trucks



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