Grille Shell - polishing

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Sep 12, 2002 | 11:15 AM

cooter4x

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Grille Shell - polishing

good news! good news! I'm getting ready to start my frame up restoration of my 78 F250! One thing I'm working on during the week in the evenings is getting the little pieces & parts ready. The grille shell that I have to put on the truck is oxidized pretty bad.

Does anyone have any tips on getting this to shine???

F.Y.I. - This weekend I'm starting with the removal of the bed... I can't wait!!!

Sep 12, 2002 | 11:46 AM

Mil1ion

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Grille Shell - polishing

There are some great tips in both the Appearance & Garage forums.

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Sep 12, 2002 | 12:52 PM

cigarxtc

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Joined: Apr 2000

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From: North of Tulsa, Oklahoma

Grille Shell - polishing

You could also check out my reply to another forum topic on aluminum polishing. https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/suspension/1626.html

It works great for me. I'm polishing my rear end aluminum trim pieces now, getting ready for a show in a week.

Sep 13, 2002 | 07:22 AM

jalampi

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From: Michigan

Grille Shell - polishing

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 13-Sep-02 AT 08:26 AM (EST)]If you are doing a "restoration" go buy a new one. I just bought a new shell at the Ford dealer a few months ago. They are still available. I think I paid $220 for it. Their is a difference between the after market and the Ford part, the Ford fits better and is shiney.

1979 F350,4x4,NP435,5:13 gears,Detroit locker in rear with hardened shafts,ABR in the front,L&L Ladder Bars,360 with 428 crank & rods,390 HP heads,Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch,MSD Ignition,39.5x18 Boggers,bucket seats out of a Lightning,& a Southern Body that is perfect.

1997 F350 PowerStroke 4X4,36 Inch Super Swampers, Strait Piped, Chiped, Propane Injected, LUK Clutch

Sep 13, 2002 | 10:34 AM

cooter4x

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Grille Shell - polishing

why would I drop $200 on a new shell when I have a perfectly good one that just needs cleaned up??? ...besides, it's not for a show truck, it's for play.... just my opinion...

Sep 13, 2002 | 12:57 PM

hartmark

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Joined: Nov 2001

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From: Virginia

Grille Shell - polishing

The old aluminum shell was not just polished, but it was also anodized. You might do well to have it anodized again so that it will be shiny longer. Plus, if you wanted to you could have it anodized a different color. Might look pretty cool.

Mark

Sep 13, 2002 | 01:48 PM

jalampi

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From: Michigan

Grille Shell - polishing

Restoration means different things to different people;-)

1979 F350,4x4,NP435,5:13 gears,Detroit locker in rear with hardened shafts,ABR in the front,L&L Ladder Bars,360 with 428 crank & rods,390 HP heads,Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch,MSD Ignition,39.5x18 Boggers,bucket seats out of a Lightning,& a Southern Body that is perfect.

1997 F350 PowerStroke 4X4,36 Inch Super Swampers, Strait Piped, Chiped, Propane Injected, LUK Clutch

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Sep 13, 2002 | 03:14 PM

brents

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Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 321

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Grille Shell - polishing

Hey,

I agree with Hartmark, you won't really be able to "polish" aluminum that has been anodized. You can clean all of the bugs/road film that is on the outter surface, but thats about it.

I have tried to "polish" mine with everything I could find, and nothing would touch it.

-Brents

Sep 13, 2002 | 04:14 PM

#10

supercab4x4

Senior User

Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 133

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From: zebulon nc

Grille Shell - polishing

>If you are doing a "restoration" go buy a new one. I just
>bought a new shell at the Ford dealer a few months ago. They
>are still available. I think I paid $220 for it. Their is a
>difference between the after market and the Ford part, the
>Ford fits better and is shiney.
>
>1979 F350,4x4,NP435,5:13 gears,Detroit locker in rear with
>hardened shafts,ABR in the front,L&L Ladder Bars,360 with
>428 crank & rods,390 HP heads,Centerforce Dual Friction
>Clutch,MSD Ignition,39.5x18 Boggers,bucket seats out of a
>Lightning,& a Southern Body that is perfect.
>
>
>
>
>1997 F350 PowerStroke 4X4,36 Inch Super Swampers, Strait
>Piped, Chiped, Propane Injected, LUK Clutch
>
>2002 F150 Super Crew FX4
what dealer did you get it from?

Sep 14, 2002 | 10:36 AM

#11

teschwab

Senior User

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 375

Likes: 0

From: nc

Grille Shell - polishing

used this method for years. i use 1200 grit and water and lightly work the area that i want to polish. this won't turn a old piece into new, but it will remove the top layers. it takes time and is slow going, but it will brighten these anodized parts. its important to state again it won't turn a part into a new piece. remember to not get carried away and sand thru the anodized coating.