After digging out all the spare parts and pieces for my 1974 F250 out.I have been going through what I have. I have a really decent(but has some scratching and marking) grille shell. The one on the truck got ripped up by the bumper when it was moved at some time,but it looks bad. I was going to use this unit,but there is a small dent on the passenger side below the parking light. I was wondering what the best way to deal ith it? I don't have the proper type of metal working tools so I'll have to improvise. Is it an easy fix? (looks to be a pain since it's on an edge) or should I have someone else do it? Is it worth the time? I am not trying to make a show truck,but I want it to look presentable.



The ding

 

That's nowhere near as bad as the two I've been working on. Go in from behind and tap the dents out, similar to working a dent out of a fender. Use something like a blunted chisel and a light ball peen hammer, or a body hammer. I've gotten the dents knocked out of mine, nearly ready to file smooth and start polishing the aluminum.

Pick up this book from Eastwood: How to Restore Automotive Trim and Hardware by John Gunnell.

 

As for the scratches and haze, Potassium Chloride can be used to remove the old anodized coating. I think oven cleaner or drano will work too.

 

With the dent in grille - take your time & go slow tapping it out. That grill material is THIN & dents easy.

You can use all sorts of random stuff to get the shape & bump the thing back into shape.

 

If you have never done this before, you have to be careful not stretch the metal. Try not to hit it twice in the same place twice. Hammer around the dent as it gets smaller.

Better yet, find a body man that will show you how. They can fix this in about 5 min.
Small shops will work with you better than a big shop.
Just ask in advance what they would charge, they might just do it for free since you have it off.