Notices
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Slick Sixties Ford Truck

Painted aluminum

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 25, 2014 | 08:29 PM
  #1  
Jack605's Avatar
Jack605
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 56
Likes: 1
Painted aluminum

The PO painted the grill red, it's not bad but the paint is starting to come off and it looks like I have a nice aluminum grill. I am thinking about stripping and polishing the grill just not sure how hard it will be to strip the grill.



Put up for winter work.
 
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2014 | 11:09 PM
  #2  
David1964's Avatar
David1964
New User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Northwest, FL
that should be an easy fix with a buffing wheel standup and hand operated. I would remove it , strip it with paint thinner and re-polish it with some mothers.
 
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2014 | 11:11 AM
  #3  
NumberDummy's Avatar
NumberDummy
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 790
From: Simi Valley, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
Standard Cabs came with painted steel grilles, Custom Cabs came with anodized aluminum grilles.

Pictured truck appears to have the optional Custom Cab door handle guards, but doesn't have the Custom Cab's stainless steel windshield reveal mouldings.
 
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2014 | 11:14 AM
  #4  
Shadowrider123's Avatar
Shadowrider123
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,019
Likes: 138
Use a magnet and determine if it is painted or aluminum.


If you want to strip the paint, I recommend that you remove the grill and use paint remover. I use aircraft paint remover in a spray can. Its easy to apply and works great, but is a little messy. Removing the paint by hand sanding is very labor intensive, then you still have to polish it. I would prefer to put the grill on a bench and polish it without having to bend over.
 
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2014 | 11:45 AM
  #5  
66f100project's Avatar
66f100project
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 71
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by Shadowrider123
Use a magnet and determine if it is painted or aluminum.

What he said. Get that red off of there, though. Truck looks great with the wide tires (although I would choose different rims). If steel grille, I'd go with a white shade paint. If aluminum, I'd steady myself for a lot of labor, or bite the bullet and get a new one from a vendor.
 
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2014 | 11:57 AM
  #6  
David1964's Avatar
David1964
New User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Northwest, FL
Originally Posted by NumberDummy
Standard Cabs came with painted steel grilles, Custom Cabs came with anodized aluminum grilles.

Pictured truck appears to have the optional Custom Cab door handle guards, but doesn't have the Custom Cab's stainless steel windshield reveal mouldings.
Was the Custom Cab a option that consisted of mostly trim features. Also one more question, the rear bumper on my 64 frame off is a steel dealership inscribed bumper with dealer name and town on it, was there a specific Ford color for that. I am thinking of just painting it Argent silver.
 
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2014 | 12:25 PM
  #7  
Shadowrider123's Avatar
Shadowrider123
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,019
Likes: 138
All the dealer bumpers I saw back in the 60s in Oklahoma were painted white.


Only the 66 style grill is offered in repo and it runs $500.


Im not a fan of the wheels either.


I like the wide tire look, but since going to a L78 bias ply tire on the front and having easy steering I am over the wide tire look. With the L78 on a 15x7 rim, it fills the wheel well nice enough.
 
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2014 | 12:31 PM
  #8  
NumberDummy's Avatar
NumberDummy
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 790
From: Simi Valley, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by David1964
Also one more question, the rear bumper on my 64 frame off is a steel dealership inscribed bumper with dealer name and town on it, was there a specific Ford color for that. I am thinking of just painting it Argent silver.
All 1961/79 rear bumpers were optional. Ford didn't introduce step bumpers for Stylesides (only) until 1968, so many of these Stylesides (and Flaresides) have aftermarket step bumpers.

Some of these bumpers have the dealers name stamped on them, but this was done by the various aftermarket bumper makers, not by the dealers themselves.

I've never seen an aftermarket step bumper painted white, the only color I've seen is argent silver.

Painted and chrome Styleside "contoured" rear bumpers were also an option. Contour: These bumpers are dished inwards at the center for the license plate.

Genuine Ford step bumpers have individual brackets, aftermarket step bumpers usually have the brackets welded to the bumpers.

The Ford step bumper brackets are notorious "weak sisters." All it takes is a slight tap...which causes the bumpers to sag like sway backed nags.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Fords to Drive Before You Die

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / Worst Features Of The 2025+ Ford Expedition

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-4

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-9

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
Old Oct 26, 2014 | 02:22 PM
  #9  
Jack605's Avatar
Jack605
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 56
Likes: 1
Aluminum

Definitely aluminum the paint flakes off in areas with running your finger over the paint. The wheels are going away they are way to wide to turn without power steering and since this is a 63 no power. I am working on stripping and painting a set of rims that came off of a 66.
 
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2014 | 02:44 PM
  #10  
gangstakr's Avatar
gangstakr
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,651
Likes: 60
From: Hemet ca.
You can see why the grille was painted. Sure is a lot of damage to be seen with a polished grille. Hopefully your good at taking out dents and waves on an aluminum grille.
As for buying one from a vendor, only the 66 is reproduced. You can look for another one, just make sure you look at the grille closely. People on ebay and C.L. don't always say what's wrong with the grille they just want it sold.
Good luck with your truck.
 
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2014 | 08:09 PM
  #11  
TBird Larry's Avatar
TBird Larry
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
Originally Posted by Jack605
The PO painted the grill red, it's not bad but the paint is starting to come off and it looks like I have a nice aluminum grill. I am thinking about stripping and polishing the grill just not sure how hard it will be to strip the grill.

Put up for winter work.
EZ Off oven cleaner also works for removal of paint from aluminum grills.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
49willard
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
11
Jan 17, 2007 08:27 AM
Yogi-96blazer
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
20
Feb 28, 2006 02:59 AM
Toreador
2004 - 2008 F150
24
Oct 29, 2004 12:35 AM
fitter565
Paint & Bodywork
6
Dec 30, 2003 08:57 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:16 PM.

story-0
10 Fords to Drive Before You Die

Slideshow: 10 Fords to drive before you die.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-22 14:29:44


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / Worst Features Of The 2025+ Ford Expedition

The latest Expedition is quite popular, but it certainly isn't perfect.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-22 14:23:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-4
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-6
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE