Polishing the grill

[loom34432]

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.

[FirstOwner69]

GM did not polish the Chevy grilles. They were anodized. If you polishing yours, did you remove the anodizing first?

[cornerstone]

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.

[FirstOwner69]

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).

[hewittca]

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.

[ForrestHead]

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.

[DT1]

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.

[In The Ten Ring]

Originally Posted by DT1

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.

Nice, let us know how well that clear coat holds up, I'd like to do the same for my truck.

[71meangreenc10]

Originally Posted by DT1

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.

Very nice!!!

Smitty

[DT1]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

Nice, let us know how well that clear coat holds up, I'd like to do the same for my truck.

I did this over 6 years ago and to my surprise it's still looks this good.
Disclaimer: Garaged every night.

[loom34432]

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.

[custom10nut]

Following.

[tristan]

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).

[DT1]

Originally Posted by tristan

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).

It looks great! Trying to find a plater that can do it and not damage it in the process is a problem.

Nice Stang. 68?

[n33k0]

Originally Posted by DT1

I did this over 6 years ago and to my surprise it's still looks this good.
Disclaimer: Garaged every night.

That looks great! Anyone have any idea how this would hold up on a DD truck that doesn't get garaged?

[DT1]

Originally Posted by n33k0

That looks great! Anyone have any idea how this would hold up on a DD truck that doesn't get garaged?

Don't really know but if the clear coat starts to degrade with time and it will, just strip it off and re-coat.

[davepl]

Originally Posted by tristan

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).

Ah yes... GMC chrome. Expensive to restore, but easier to maintain. Once you get the anodizing off the Chevrolet grill it's going to be a weekly chore to keep it polished. I'd recommend a coating of Zoops or similar product to reduce the rate of oxidation.

[In The Ten Ring]

Most everything worth having is expensive. Even our bodies take a lot of work to keep running right and lasting a long time.

[kelsfine69]

Gmc grills are not aluminum, they are steel and can be re-chromed

[In The Ten Ring]

Originally Posted by kelsfine69

Gmc grills are not aluminum, they are steel and can be re-chromed

I have always preferred the look of the Chevy grill over the GMC but if the GMC grill is steel, that changes things a bit for a guy like me.

[un4gvn!]

Tristan, who did your grille? I'm from Latrobe, east of Pittsburgh.

[tristan]

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.