looking to polish my grill shell - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

A69C10 · 02-07-2011, 05:28 PM

Anyone ever polished or buffed their gill shell. Mine is in decent shape and hate to spend 500.00 on a new repop grill any ideas?

67chevy1series · 02-07-2011, 05:32 PM

my dad was an idiot and decided he was gonna park his truck right by the sprinkler well after weeks of watering the lawn he now has water spots that i have spent hours on trying to fix...i tried wax and steel wool ...a lot of waxes!!! nothing worked although his bumper still looks prestine after i cleaned it and it has been months!

larry may · 02-07-2011, 05:45 PM

MOTHERS CHROME POLISH. worked well for my ole heap. in a red squeeze bottle

**Classic Heartbeat** · 02-07-2011, 06:01 PM

You should be able to shine the annodizing up, but not get rid of the scratches or milky color. To do that you will have to sand off the annodizing and polish the bare aluminum. Then do it every couple of months to heep it shiney. WES

DT1 · 02-07-2011, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A69C10

Anyone ever polished or buffed their gill shell. Mine is in decent shape and hate to spend 500.00 on a new repop grill any ideas?

]

Polishing over old anodizing rarely produces good results.
If you want it to look like new you will have to remove the anodizing, remove the dents/dings, sand it all smooth and buff it on a wheel. You don't have to re-anodize if you want to avoid the cost. A coat or two with automotive grade clear will hold up well.

ChevLoRay · 02-07-2011, 06:31 PM

I have asked the same questions and talked to a guy who has done it....for a living. Get some EZOff oven cleaner and it will remove the anodizing. After that, it's time to remove the little nicks and rock dings....they're there. When those are gone to the best of your ability, you can sand it with some fine (1000-grit) and finer paper. When you've sanded it to your satisfaction, then you can polish it. Start with a tripoli polish and progress to finer grades. Sherwin-Williams has an automotive wheel polishing kit that has an air-powered tool with various wheels and compounds. The same kit is available at Eastwood, for about $20 more.

Here's a pic of some aluminum trim from a '66 El Camino. It looks like brushed stainless. The owner is the same guy who did the work on it.

Hubscrub · 02-07-2011, 06:52 PM

hair and grease remover in the drain isle at lowes is suppost to really be good at removeing the anodizing so you can polish it real good

eightbanger · 02-07-2011, 07:37 PM

Here's my favourite link whenever this question comes up....

YouTube - 63 impala video 49? POLISHING...

DT1 · 02-07-2011, 08:12 PM

This is what I did...
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=375519

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=392112

**67sss** · 02-07-2011, 10:47 PM

be careful.............

Strong bases attack aluminum. Sodium hydroxide reacts with aluminum and water to release hydrogen gas. The aluminum takes the oxygen atom from sodium hydroxide (NaOH), which in turn takes the oxygen atom from the water, and releases the two hydrogen atoms. In this reaction, sodium hydroxide acts as an agent to make the solution alkaline, which aluminum can dissolve in. This reaction can be useful in etching, removing anodizing, or converting a polished surface to a satin-like finish, but without further passivation such as anodizing or alodining the surface may become degraded, either under normal use or in severe atmospheric conditions.

CEE1NG_RED · 02-07-2011, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DT1

This is what I did...
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=375519

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=392112

Any way to recondition chrome bumpers that has scratches and some minor crease dents??

DT1 · 02-08-2011, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CEE1NG_RED

Any way to recondition chrome bumpers that has scratches and some minor crease dents??

Other than re chroming, not that I know of.

**JJanzen** · 02-08-2011, 01:17 AM

Subscribed.

**Dieselwrencher** · 02-08-2011, 01:21 AM

Nice useful info here. has anyone had any ill effects on using the hair and grease remover on this aluminum trim after some car washes?

67chevy1series · 02-08-2011, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67sss

be careful.............

Strong bases attack aluminum. Sodium hydroxide reacts with aluminum and water to release hydrogen gas. The aluminum takes the oxygen atom from sodium hydroxide (NaOH), which in turn takes the oxygen atom from the water, and releases the two hydrogen atoms. In this reaction, sodium hydroxide acts as an agent to make the solution alkaline, which aluminum can dissolve in. This reaction can be useful in etching, removing anodizing, or converting a polished surface to a satin-like finish, but without further passivation such as anodizing or alodining the surface may become degraded, either under normal use or in severe atmospheric conditions.

were you ever a physics major???

vectorit · 02-08-2011, 02:04 AM

Personally, I've always thought it was futile to polish old anodized aluminum trim parts. I put tons of elbow grease into my side trim for years, and the results were mixed but over time they just dull up again.

I had this company straighten, repair, and re-anodize all of the side trim on my burb and couldn't be happier with the results. They look like new, and I don't even think about polishing them anymore; save for just wiping them down after a wash.

http://www.kingoftrim.com/home.html

Check them out, and unless they went through a major price hike I think you will be surprised with the cost. The only down side is, is they do not paint the letters or stripes.

POPO1984 · 02-08-2011, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67sss

be careful.............

Strong bases attack aluminum. Sodium hydroxide reacts with aluminum and water to release hydrogen gas. The aluminum takes the oxygen atom from sodium hydroxide (NaOH), which in turn takes the oxygen atom from the water, and releases the two hydrogen atoms. In this reaction, sodium hydroxide acts as an agent to make the solution alkaline, which aluminum can dissolve in. This reaction can be useful in etching, removing anodizing, or converting a polished surface to a satin-like finish, but without further passivation such as anodizing or alodining the surface may become degraded, either under normal use or in severe atmospheric conditions.

This is true. I used the Hair and Grease remover and had to leave my house for about an hour. When i can back the grill was ate up. It looked like it had been sand blasted

*Shane* · 02-08-2011, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67chevy1series

were you ever a physics major???

uh ... pretty sure that's chemistry

**JJanzen** · 02-08-2011, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vectorit

Personally, I've always thought it was futile to polish old anodized aluminum trim parts. I put tons of elbow grease into my side trim for years, and the results were mixed but over time they just dull up again.

I had this company straighten, repair, and re-anodize all of the side trim on my burb and couldn't be happier with the results. They look like new, and I don't even think about polishing them anymore; save for just wiping them down after a wash.

http://www.kingoftrim.com/home.html

Check them out, and unless they went through a major price hike I think you will be surprised with the cost. The only down side is, is they do not paint the letters or stripes.

King of Trim just quoted me "ballpark" at $ 1,500.00. Doesn't seem like a deal to me.

**N2TRUX** · 02-08-2011, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJanzen

King of Trim just quoted me "ballpark" at $ 1,500.00. Doesn't seem like a deal to me.

Price it new and see what you think.

**JJanzen** · 02-08-2011, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Price it new and see what you think.

$ 640.00 New and it ships free. Upper and Lower Woodgrain. What's your point?

*Shane* · 02-08-2011, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJanzen

$ 640.00 New and it ships free. Upper and Lower Woodgrain. What's your point?

$640 new is chinese/taiwan made junk ... it's your truck & your money ... you're the one that's gotta be happy with it.

**JJanzen** · 02-08-2011, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane

$640 new is chinese/taiwan made junk ... it's your truck & your money ... you're the one that's gotta be happy with it.

Shane,
Please post a link where you can buy new American made trim for a 1972 Cheyenne Super SWB. I have installed Counterparts trim (I don't know where it is made) and been quite happy with it. Your help with the link is greatly appreciated! I, like others, am very interested.

*Shane* · 02-08-2011, 02:59 PM

Who said anything about buying new American made trim? Did you even read the post before replying?

This entire thread revolves around having ORIGINAL trim restored. You said it was too expensive, therefore I replied that your only option is to purchase imported, chinese/taiwanese made junk.

dfwright · 02-08-2011, 03:13 PM

Not $640, but you can get a full set of American-made upper and lower trim new from Mar-K for less than $1000, and while I have no personal experience with Mar-K products, I have heard nothing but good things about them.

www.mar-k.com

02-07-2011, 05:28 PM	#1
A69C10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: McDonough,GA Posts: 123	looking to polish my grill shell Anyone ever polished or buffed their gill shell. Mine is in decent shape and hate to spend 500.00 on a new repop grill any ideas? Attached Images

02-07-2011, 05:32 PM	#2
67chevy1series Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: a t w a t e r cali 95301 Posts: 10,713	Re: looking to polish my grill shell my dad was an idiot and decided he was gonna park his truck right by the sprinkler well after weeks of watering the lawn he now has water spots that i have spent hours on trying to fix...i tried wax and steel wool ...a lot of waxes!!! nothing worked although his bumper still looks prestine after i cleaned it and it has been months! Last edited by 67chevy1series; 02-07-2011 at 05:33 PM. Reason: typo

02-07-2011, 05:45 PM	#3
larry may Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: MISSOURI Posts: 3,256	Re: looking to polish my grill shell MOTHERS CHROME POLISH. worked well for my ole heap. in a red squeeze bottle __________________ The biggest problem people have, is other people Thou shalt be cool and not hassle Be a site supporter. The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool inclines to the left." Ecclesiastes 10:2

02-07-2011, 06:01 PM	#4
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,766	Re: looking to polish my grill shell You should be able to shine the annodizing up, but not get rid of the scratches or milky color. To do that you will have to sand off the annodizing and polish the bare aluminum. Then do it every couple of months to heep it shiney. 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 Last edited by Classic Heartbeat; 02-07-2011 at 07:35 PM.

02-07-2011, 06:31 PM	#6
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: looking to polish my grill shell I have asked the same questions and talked to a guy who has done it....for a living. Get some EZOff oven cleaner and it will remove the anodizing. After that, it's time to remove the little nicks and rock dings....they're there. When those are gone to the best of your ability, you can sand it with some fine (1000-grit) and finer paper. When you've sanded it to your satisfaction, then you can polish it. Start with a tripoli polish and progress to finer grades. Sherwin-Williams has an automotive wheel polishing kit that has an air-powered tool with various wheels and compounds. The same kit is available at Eastwood, for about $20 more. Here's a pic of some aluminum trim from a '66 El Camino. It looks like brushed stainless. The owner is the same guy who did the work on it. Attached Images __________________ 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.

02-07-2011, 06:52 PM	#7
Hubscrub Cruzin Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: on the road Posts: 2,835	Re: looking to polish my grill shell hair and grease remover in the drain isle at lowes is suppost to really be good at removeing the anodizing so you can polish it real good __________________ Lime Wife's 67https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...wZEMODaS2d94u8 Back to the Fifties 59 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...NAeStpydfrcj_U Proverbs 3:5,6 "Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."Charles Kuralt In memory of our first baby daughter, daddy and mommy love you. Danica Grace 6/26/14

02-07-2011, 08:12 PM	#9
DT1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Gardnerville Nv No Mo Cali!! Posts: 869	Re: looking to polish my grill shell This is what I did... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=375519 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=392112

02-07-2011, 10:47 PM	#10
67sss Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mt. Vernon, WA.. Posts: 2,325	Re: looking to polish my grill shell be careful............. Strong bases attack aluminum. Sodium hydroxide reacts with aluminum and water to release hydrogen gas. The aluminum takes the oxygen atom from sodium hydroxide (NaOH), which in turn takes the oxygen atom from the water, and releases the two hydrogen atoms. In this reaction, sodium hydroxide acts as an agent to make the solution alkaline, which aluminum can dissolve in. This reaction can be useful in etching, removing anodizing, or converting a polished surface to a satin-like finish, but without further passivation such as anodizing or alodining the surface may become degraded, either under normal use or in severe atmospheric conditions.

02-08-2011, 01:17 AM	#13
JJanzen Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 252	Re: looking to polish my grill shell Subscribed. __________________ Blue72 Red72

02-08-2011, 01:21 AM	#14
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,143	Re: looking to polish my grill shell Nice useful info here. has anyone had any ill effects on using the hair and grease remover on this aluminum trim after some car washes? __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*

02-08-2011, 02:04 AM	#16
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: looking to polish my grill shell Personally, I've always thought it was futile to polish old anodized aluminum trim parts. I put tons of elbow grease into my side trim for years, and the results were mixed but over time they just dull up again. I had this company straighten, repair, and re-anodize all of the side trim on my burb and couldn't be happier with the results. They look like new, and I don't even think about polishing them anymore; save for just wiping them down after a wash. http://www.kingoftrim.com/home.html Check them out, and unless they went through a major price hike I think you will be surprised with the cost. The only down side is, is they do not paint the letters or stripes. __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU

02-08-2011, 02:59 PM	#24
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: looking to polish my grill shell Who said anything about buying new American made trim? Did you even read the post before replying? This entire thread revolves around having ORIGINAL trim restored. You said it was too expensive, therefore I replied that your only option is to purchase imported, chinese/taiwanese made junk. Last edited by Shane; 02-08-2011 at 03:01 PM.

02-08-2011, 03:13 PM	#25
dfwright Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 1,376	Re: looking to polish my grill shell Not $640, but you can get a full set of American-made upper and lower trim new from Mar-K for less than $1000, and while I have no personal experience with Mar-K products, I have heard nothing but good things about them. www.mar-k.com __________________ 1972 C10 LWB, 350/350 Deconstruction began 5/2009, mostly completed restoration, 5/2017 Last edited by dfwright; 02-08-2011 at 03:15 PM. Reason: quote wrong post



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