what about chrome?
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Camp Pendleton, Ca.
what about chrome?
If you've been reading my posts you know I've been looking for a grille for my 69 f100 and man, you guys were right; $$$$$$$! Expensive, I was able to find grilles for the 70-72 but after the grille and inserts were paid for your talking 650$ so I was wondering if anyone has ever chromed one of these grilles? I searched the threads and found one from a few years ago where they talked about it, but didn't find much on pricing or how it'd look. Anyone done this? Any ideas on cost? What do you guys think?
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: I live in a warehouse in
Do you have a grill to chrome? My '69 grill is anodized aluminum like my '70. (At least that's what I think, from what I've read here.) Can you even chrome plate aluminum? Anodized aluminum has been elctro-chemically treated for a certain finish, and it's really durable, which was why Ford did it, but after 30+ years, it starts to look crappy. I know I'm not the only one here who went out to their truck with some polish or other, and rubbed and rubbed and saw no change. If you have painted steel, you could strip it and have it plated, but it's gonna be pricey. Not to rain on your parade, but the boneyard may still be your best option. I know it's hard to wait, but with paitience you'll find your part. (At least I hope so, 'cuz I want a back-up for my truck.)
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Camp Pendleton, Ca.
How pricey? If a new grille with inserts (npd or dennis carpenter) costs 650 it might be just as cheap to chrome plate.I hope. And good question, can you chrome that aluminum? I don't have the painted grille and would like to keep it that way
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: washington
I'm a tightwad so I tried another road. Found a powdercoat color called Almost Chrome.
That was after I thought I was good enough to sand and give my grill a brushed finish then clear coat it, Ha. Anyway, the guy coated the grill, trim, an original grill guard (in white) and a few small parts for a Franklin. Cheep! It's still more of a paint color than chrome or anodize but since my crewcab is going together as a driver, is the color of shiny primer, I think I will be satisfied. Though it would nice to see it in the daylight on the truck.
That was after I thought I was good enough to sand and give my grill a brushed finish then clear coat it, Ha. Anyway, the guy coated the grill, trim, an original grill guard (in white) and a few small parts for a Franklin. Cheep! It's still more of a paint color than chrome or anodize but since my crewcab is going together as a driver, is the color of shiny primer, I think I will be satisfied. Though it would nice to see it in the daylight on the truck.
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From: Roy,WA
Originally Posted by Knight70F250
Can you even chrome plate aluminum?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: I live in a warehouse in
TK70, you're right, I haven't shopped for wheels lately (except for Ford 16s to replace my 16.5s, I like the stock look.) I completely overlooked chromed aluminum wheels. Parker, I'm not sure how pricey, except I took 6 lamp parts in to be plated and they fit in a shoe box and cost $140. They have to go over every square inch with buffing and whatever. Look in the yellow pages under "plating" and call around. They should be able to give a ballpark estimate. Might be considerably less than $650. The 70-72 grills are different than the 69. The 70-72 is an aluminum surround with plastic inserts, and the head light doors are different. If you want to stay stock, you might have to plate yours.
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Joined: May 2002
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From: shawnee u.s.a
i got a friend he works at a place where they chrome shopping carts, he said i could chrome something up to the size of a pickup door hull, maybe the engine stands&tranny crossmember be different i guess i'll let you know soon! thanks Kevin
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,297
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From: S/W Virginia
you can spray that anodized aluminum with easy off oven cleaner and let it sit for 20 or so minutes and take some good aluminum polish, and it will clean right up. It will essentially strip off the anodized coating.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: "Islander"
With alot of flexing a aluminum grill that has been chromed may crack and peel becoming a razor blade cutting you up. Get a new or used painted grill, straighten if needed and have chromed or use that new "chrome paint" or powder coat.
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