Grill Restoration

Hookedtrout · Post by **Hookedtrout** » June 17, 2011, 8:46 pm

Here's the progress on the 64 grill I picked up.

After removing anodization with oven cleaner it went milky white colored.

Days of sanding with three different grits down to 800 and then polishing with Mothers cutting polish and then aluminum polish for the finish.

Polishing Results

Taped and painted.

After pulling the tape, still needs buffed up once the paint is good and dry.

557f1 · Post by **557f1** » June 17, 2011, 8:49 pm

Look's good.
do you have aluminium headlight doors to match

Hookedtrout · Post by **Hookedtrout** » June 17, 2011, 8:53 pm

557f1 wrote:Look's good.
do you have aluminium headlight doors to match

I do, they are next, time for a little break however, I think I'm going to pull the 61 grill off the latest acquisition and start a restoration on it as well, it's steel so it will be sand and work out the dings and paint. Much easier than the aluminum. Someone posted or told me that once you restore one you will understand why they ask $300-$400 for them on ebay already restored, I can say that's true! Pay the $300 if you don't have the time and don't like the fine details of sanding and polishing. I loved every minute of it so I'm good.

557f1 · Post by **557f1** » June 17, 2011, 9:07 pm

You are right ,It's a big job but well worth it ,keep up the good work,
Here's a photo of mine ,shiny chrome,and a it came with the national debt

Hookedtrout · Post by **Hookedtrout** » June 17, 2011, 9:24 pm

That's a beauty!!

MadMaxetc · Post by **MadMaxetc** » June 17, 2011, 10:08 pm

VERY NICE!!

557f1 · Post by **557f1** » June 17, 2011, 11:01 pm

Thanks,
I had the headlight doors,headlight and indicator buckets done aswell,assembled with clear lenses it looks pretty tidy.

ezernut9mm · Post by **ezernut9mm** » June 17, 2011, 11:48 pm

that looks awesome. seriously. i started on mine and i know how much work is involved. keep it up!

DukeRoche · Post by **DukeRoche** » June 18, 2011, 5:40 am

It took me a second to notice the blue roll of tape. I was wondering where you were going with blue and black lol. Thats a sharp looking grill.

charliemccraney · Post by **charliemccraney** » June 18, 2011, 8:10 am

DukeRoche wrote:It took me a second to notice the blue roll of tape. I was wondering where you were going with blue and black lol.

Me too! I think the blue and black looks great.

Hookedtrout · Post by **Hookedtrout** » June 18, 2011, 8:17 am

charliemccraney wrote:
DukeRoche wrote:It took me a second to notice the blue roll of tape. I was wondering where you were going with blue and black lol.
Me too! I think the blue and black looks great.

Would have been much easier!!!!

Power by Ford · Post by **Power by Ford** » June 18, 2011, 9:01 am

Nice job Cory. A little hard work makes a big difference that grill looks better than new.

HiBoy63 · Post by **HiBoy63** » June 18, 2011, 11:09 am

Nice!!!! Well worth the sore fingers and wrists. When I do my 63 and 65 Ill be thinking about all the money Ill be saving.

Uncle Skip · Post by **Uncle Skip** » June 18, 2011, 11:17 am

Cory. Great work. Grills are tedious work but worth the results. My personal favorite is the '62 which is painted the same as the body color.
What did you seal the metal with? Clear?

Effie · Post by **Effie** » June 18, 2011, 11:26 am

Wow! That's awesome.

I wish I had that kinda patience. I've got to do something about the aluminum trim on the sides. I've got it stripped, but I really don't see me doing all that sanding and polishing.

Uncle Skip · Post by **Uncle Skip** » June 18, 2011, 11:46 am

Mel. Mike had his trim powder coated on Miss Daisy, and then he painted the extra details on it. Looks good enough to win prizes.......

Hookedtrout · Post by **Hookedtrout** » June 18, 2011, 5:18 pm

Uncle Skip wrote:Cory. Great work. Grills are tedious work but worth the results. My personal favorite is the '62 which is painted the same as the body color.
What did you seal the metal with? Clear?

I haven't sealed it yet, just got it done yesterday, not sure if I'll keep it waxed or find a sealer? Both have the positives and drawbacks.

Hookedtrout · Post by **Hookedtrout** » June 18, 2011, 5:19 pm

Thanks for all the comments!!

Effie · Post by **Effie** » June 18, 2011, 7:30 pm

Uncle Skip wrote:Mel. Mike had his trim powder coated on Miss Daisy, and then he painted the extra details on it. Looks good enough to win prizes.......

No kiddin? I got the crap stripped off of it with some heavy duty drain cleaner stuff from Home Depot. Its all straight with no dings, but damn those scratches. My brother worked on it some and showed me what I'd have to do.. sanding out the scratches, using the rouge polishing compound stuff with the buffing wheel and all that.. I just don't have the motivation... or the energy. There's not enough hours in my day to get all that done... I have a bad heart and I sleep alot after I work all day, lol.

dave r · Post by **dave r** » June 18, 2011, 9:33 pm

I just finished mine last week.I started to leave mine with the "brushed"look to go with the satin black paint, but I decided to finish polishing it,and I'm glad I did.Now that leaves cutting down the longbed trim and polishing it.That may take a while...It's been too dang hot..and I havent decided if I am going to put trim in stock location or follow the character line (it kinda slopes down to the rear).I think I like the 2nd option best.To me the trim in stock location looks kinda funny.Following the body line will accent it.Has anyone done that?
Dave