am getting closer to completing my 65 f100 prostreet pickup,i have the original grill,was my fathers truck,always garaged,the grill is a 7-8 out of 10.i am wanting to have the grill refinished then powder coated clear.i thought i had seen an article hear some time ago on how to strip and refinish one of these,i will do it myself if i have to,would love to know if there is anyone out there that knows of someone to refinish the grill and make it look spectacular again!!!! any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!thanks,prostreet 65 is coming soon!

 

Aluminum or steel?
I'm guessing aluminum. You need to strip the anodizing from it. Search this forum of "anodizing" and you'll probably get several threads on it.

 

Assuming anodized aluminum grille can be reanodized by plater, got an estimate few years back with quote of between $300-$350. Took the poor man's, do it myself, approach and used anodize stripper, seem to recall seeing product in Napa parts store. I had to use sandpaper because of pitting, so started off using medium sandpaper and gradually worked up to 1500-2500 grit. If decide to go with 'poor man's' method' and there is no pitting, then may be able to save self lot of work by starting off with polishing compound and eliminate the sanding. Perhaps more knowledgeable member can advise. Using sandpaper to obtain desired finish is extremely labor intensive. Believe grille is made of an alum. alloy and with out a protective coating subject to tarnish within short period of time. I used aerosol can of clear paint to protect alum finish but there is a product for that purpose, believe Eastwood carries it.

If should consider chroming, suggest finding the steel grille, according to plater, chroming alum not such a good idea. Topic comes up on occasion. If recall, couple members knowledgeable in area of metal polishing and plating provided lot of valuable information.

dave

 

thanks for your input dave,it is much appreciated!!!!!!

 

I had a quetion about the same thing only it was the metal trim.I am in the process of wetsanding it down and polishing it.I will have to clear coat it some day.A search here should give you that thread.
Joe

 

http://everbrite.net/index.html
used this stuff to coat the aluminum trim on my boat after months of polishing. Way pitted, the heavy gauge stuff I started with 60 grit ;( used steel wool after 150 grit, but everything looks great. a buffing wheel and three series of compound wrap it all up (1.emery, 2.rouge, 3.white - finally coating with something.) Be sure to use denatured alchohol or naptha similar to remove any residue from compunds, finger oils etc..

 

Yes, headlight and turn signal bezel, as well as the trim, are anodized aluminum so same process applies. Because relatively small items, usually can speed process using power tools like buffing wheel, sander, etc. They make simi liquid sanding medium I apply to a used buffing wheel to remove surface material, comes in various grits. Note of interest, the 65 I beam F100 fender emblem is not reproduced. Need to be rechromed if intend reconditioning. The Ford part supplier's offer the 66 emblem as a replacement.

dave

 

Didn't do a search; but I remenber someone using oven cleaner; then clearcoating after polishing. just a wild thought thrown out there.

Mitch

 

That method will work.

John