grill removal
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Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2022
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From: Near Jonesbourogh, TN
grill removal
I need to remove the grill on my 83 F-150 to paint it and replace the Ford Blue Oval badge. I cannot get my hands behind the grill to remove the old badge. I got some of the screws out, but several are rusted solid. I've even tried spraying them with PB Blaster and wacking them with a manual impact wrench, but they won't move!
I know someone here has had the same problem and solved it. How'd you do it? Drill the heads off?
Chuck
I know someone here has had the same problem and solved it. How'd you do it? Drill the heads off?
Chuck
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 98
Likes: 11
From: Near Jonesbourogh, TN
Drilling the heads off is harder than I thought it would be. These screws are harder than satan's heart, or all my drill bits are dull... Got the head light doors off, but the grill is giving me grief.
Chuck
Chuck
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If you have a variable speed drill it helps, and sharp bits are good. Sometimes if you go slow you can chisel out better. Look for the largest flakes and stay in the groove.
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From: Virginia
That rust does tend to dull your bits. If you know how to put a edge back on your bits it helps. You also may find if you are drilling and it starts smoking, you may be able to pull the grille over the bolt as the plastic gets hot. Of course you would need a wider head bolt to re-install it. Lowe's has screws called lath screws that have a nice large head on them. They look like this.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 98
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From: Near Jonesbourogh, TN
Sucess! I got the grill out for cleaning and painting. Got the messed up Blue Oval Badge off. I drilled out some screws, broke the quick clip off some and removed the support bracket on one side to get to another. Now to clean it all up, paint what needs painting, install newer oval and re-assemble...
Thanks for all the help and input. This forum is the best!
Chuck
Thanks for all the help and input. This forum is the best!
Chuck
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Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2022
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From: Near Jonesbourogh, TN
What does everyone use for chrome polish? The chrome trim strips above and below the grill are dull and look oxidized. Is there anything affordable that will bring back their shine? I have scrubbed them with soapy water, and tried 4/0 steel wool with denatured alcohol and acetone.
No improvement other than removing rust stains around where the fasteners were.
Chuck
No improvement other than removing rust stains around where the fasteners were.
Chuck
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What does everyone use for chrome polish? The chrome trim strips above and below the grill are dull and look oxidized. Is there anything affordable that will bring back their shine? I have scrubbed them with soapy water, and tried 4/0 steel wool with denatured alcohol and acetone.
No improvement other than removing rust stains around where the fasteners were.
Chuck
No improvement other than removing rust stains around where the fasteners were.
Chuck
My entire truck is coated with it. Well not the brakes...
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Joined: Apr 2002
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If you do buy Fluid-Film get a gallon can of bulk. The spray cans are nice to have as well for getting into hard to reach places but way more expensive. Get the gallon and brush it on. Use as little as you can. Less is more.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2022
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From: Near Jonesbourogh, TN
I'm old and slow, and easily distracted, so I have a lot of projects started and two or three finished. Plus, the usual problem with a fixer-upper, start to do 1 project and you find 12 things you didn't know needed to be done before you can complete it. And of course, we can't forget the " I don't have the part I need, so I'll do this instead..." distraction...
Chuck
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Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2022
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Likes: 11
From: Near Jonesbourogh, TN
Chuck