What to do with Aluminum grille/trim???

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Apr 9, 2004 | 02:32 PM

ceetwarrior

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Cargo Master

Joined: Jul 2003

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From: Colorado

What to do with Aluminum grille/trim???

Anyone got any ideas on how to polish the alum grilles and trim mouldings on these trucks? On my '94 I had my toolbox acid washed once and man it really cleaned it up and took all of the dullness and oxidation off of it..

Has anyone ever tried the acid wash on their stuff?

What about a high speed buffer with some mag/alum polish?

Any ideas would be great as my '67 is almost complete! Thanks!

Apr 9, 2004 | 07:38 PM

idealtrucks

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Joined: Jul 2002

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From: S/W Virginia

spray it with easy off oven cleaner and let it set about 20 minutes, and then just take some regular aluminum polish and it will polish up nice and bright

Apr 9, 2004 | 11:27 PM

Trail Master

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Joined: Apr 2004

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Try these products: NEVER DULL and MOTHERS alum. polish

Apr 10, 2004 | 07:05 PM

idealtrucks

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From: S/W Virginia

i tried all those polishes on mine and nothing would work...it still had that white look to it. the only way i could make it clean up was spraying it first with the easy off and then polish it

Apr 10, 2004 | 07:16 PM

ceetwarrior

Thread Starter

Cargo Master

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From: Colorado

I used Mr. Metal and it worked a little bit but nothing what I am looking for.

I'll have to try the Easy-Off, I bet that will work good. Idealtrucks, did you use a polisher to polish it after you used the Easy Off? Or did you do it by hand?

Apr 10, 2004 | 11:21 PM

mr4speedford

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From: Akron Ohio

If it's anything like a 1960 lower grill, its anodized and the white finish is the fading and worn finish. Easy off removes the anodizing finish( I think never tried it myself yet) and you can either just leave as with a simple polish, or use a buffing wheel and different compound to smooth the finish to a show shine. -4speed

Apr 11, 2004 | 12:18 AM

Post Fiend

Joined: Feb 2000

Posts: 5,130

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From: Brea CA

Yes, it's a clear anodized finish. You have to break thru the anodizing to get to the aluminum. Once the finish is gone, you have to keep up with the polishing but what choice do you have? The shops here want way to much money to refinish these.

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Apr 11, 2004 | 01:28 AM

Post Fiend

Joined: Feb 2000

Posts: 5,130

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From: Brea CA

This was a couple years ago but it ranged from $20 to $50 per foot or sq. ft. for polish and anodize depending on condition, complexity and the level of finish you wanted. They wanted around $500 to do the grille, to steep for me!

Apr 11, 2004 | 09:53 AM

#10

ceetwarrior

Thread Starter

Cargo Master

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 2,332

Likes: 14

From: Colorado

Wow, that's really $$$$$.

Apr 11, 2004 | 03:53 PM

#11

idealtrucks

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 1,297

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From: S/W Virginia

i wonder if after you take the anodizing off with the easy off, could you spray some kind of aftermarket stuff on it to protect, maybe like the wheel coating or something??