![]() |
![]() |
#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Posts: 59
|
Polishing the grill
Just out of curiosity how did GM polish the grills when new in 72? I'm polishing mine now, starting with 400 grit paper then 600 grit then 1000 & 2000. I don't have pictures yet, I'll post some when I get finished. Boy this sure is taking a long time to finish, starting to feel like I bit off more than I can chew!! Slow and laborious. I'll get there though.
![]()
__________________
72 C10 350/TH350 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin & Arizona
Posts: 4,844
|
Re: Polishing the grill
GM did not polish the Chevy grilles. They were anodized. If you polishing yours, did you remove the anodizing first?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Azle,Texas
Posts: 2,248
|
Re: Polishing the grill
Please post pics of your results because Im interested in trying this on my original after i work out one dent. My buddy told my it couldnt be done because it was anodized.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin & Arizona
Posts: 4,844
|
Re: Polishing the grill
There are numerous YouTube videos showing how to remove anodizing. Search YouTube for "removing anodizing from aluminum". Most say to use liquid drain cleaner containing sodium hydroxide (lye).
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Mocksville, NC
Posts: 1,748
|
Re: Polishing the grill
I did this on my 1980 Malibu. Different vehicle, but same process for polishing anodized aluminum. To make mine even worse, the trim had been painted with etching primer first. The primer combined with the anodizing was a nightmare to remove, but I used the same process as you except for an additional step before and after. My before step was using drain cleaner to help strip the anodizing. My after step was polishing by hand with a metal polish because even after the 2000, the trim is going to look very dull. The trim looked like chrome after it was polished though, so it was worth it. It did require the occasional quick repolishing, however, since there was no protection for the bare aluminum that does like to oxidize.
__________________
Builds: Green Gus the 68 C10 ; Sullii the 72 1500 - Instagram: @dr.hewitt - C10 Concept/Development Photos: Master Thread |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Gainesville, Tx
Posts: 30
|
Re: Polishing the grill
I'm a welder by trade, and I would caution anyone removing the anodizing layer. Aluminum is in a constant state of decay, and aluminum oxide is as hard as granite. But that being said, I imagine yall are like me and are gonna do what you want anyway. When welding on aluminum livestock trailers, we use Easy Off oven cleaner, works great to clean aluminum, I've sprayed it on my grill before and it makes it pop for sure. It should maintain the shine after all your work.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Gardnerville Nv No Mo Cali!!
Posts: 869
|
Re: Polishing the grill
I stripped the anodizing with Sodium Hydroxide and water. The active ingredient in Easy off is the same. A pedestal mounted buffer or grinder with a buffing pad is way faster than sand paper. I cut and stacked three 6 inch disks made out of a red Scotch-Brite and buffed all of the scratches out. Then I used cutting compound with a Denim wheel to get the luster back and followed with a cotton wheel with jewelers rouge. When finished, apply a coat of automotive clear cote.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 6,421
|
Re: Polishing the grill
Quote:
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Its a Truck Thing......
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Posts: 3,159
|
Re: Polishing the grill
Quote:
Smitty
__________________
71 C10 283/3SPD Full Resto 71 GMC 1500 Sierra Grande http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518599 70 C10 Suburban Former military GSA truck. 72 Chevy Blazer 4X4, Sloppy Jo, Mountain Climber. Wife says no more trucks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707378 72 GMC 1 Ton Motor Home, wife said no more trucks until she saw this one. Gen 3 6.0/4L80E 4.10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=761110 68 GMC Suburban was 3/4 ton, now 1/2.Wife shook her head 71 C30 Wrecker 71 C20 Scott-Bilt As weird as it gets..BB Cheyenne AC Truck 68 GMC Long Stepside. They keep following me home 71 C20 Longhorn/Ole Yellor 69 C30 Former Motor Home, Flat Bed time |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Gardnerville Nv No Mo Cali!!
Posts: 869
|
Re: Polishing the grill
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Posts: 59
|
Re: Polishing the grill
Hey thanks everyone for the replies. Yes I did remove the anodize coating. I'm having to polish the old fashioned way- elbow grease. I don't have a buffer to use. Good news is I'm halfway finished with the 400 grit.
![]()
__________________
72 C10 350/TH350 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: East Tn (In the heart of the Smoky Mtns)
Posts: 1,872
|
Re: Polishing the grill
Following.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Western PA
Posts: 1,295
|
Re: Polishing the grill
My 1971 GMC grill surround came back from the plater yesterday. It took months to find someone who would tackle aluminum AND who had a tank big enough to handle a part this large. Once you get past those not inconsiderable obstacles, then you send in a large check and wait. And wait. And wait some more. However, the end product is spectacular (although upside down in the picture).
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Gardnerville Nv No Mo Cali!!
Posts: 869
|
Re: Polishing the grill
Quote:
Nice Stang. 68? |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Florida
Posts: 184
|
Re: Polishing the grill
That looks great! Anyone have any idea how this would hold up on a DD truck that doesn't get garaged?
__________________
Nick 1972 Chevrolet C10 Stepside |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Gardnerville Nv No Mo Cali!!
Posts: 869
|
Re: Polishing the grill
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 6,332
|
Re: Polishing the grill
Quote:
__________________
1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 6,421
|
Re: Polishing the grill
Most everything worth having is expensive. Even our bodies take a lot of work to keep running right and lasting a long time.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 |
18 Till I Die
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 1,522
|
Re: Polishing the grill
Gmc grills are not aluminum, they are steel and can be re-chromed
__________________
2011 GMC Acadia 1969 GMC BBC LS7 2007 GMC Crew Duramax 1987 Camaro Iroc 350 Tuned Port Injection 42000Km 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 350 TBI 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 350 TBI(yes 2) Take me drunk, I'm too home... ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 6,421
|
Re: Polishing the grill
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Latrobe, Pa. 15650
Posts: 344
|
Re: Polishing the grill
Tristan, who did your grille? I'm from Latrobe, east of Pittsburgh.
Last edited by un4gvn!; 10-22-2016 at 05:03 AM. Reason: forgot to mention name |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#22 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Western PA
Posts: 1,295
|
Re: Polishing the grill
Advance Chrome in Erie, PA. My resto shop told me it was aluminum but maybe they were thinking of the more commonly seen Chevy grilles.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
|
|