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1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
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View Poll Results: Color.
clean up and spray with clear
68.00%
clean up paint flat black
24.00%
clean up paint argent silver
12.00%
clean up and paint different color
4.00%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 25. You may not vote on this poll

Grill

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Old May 13, 2008 | 05:06 PM
  #1  
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Grill

I'm thinking of painting my grill. So I need your opinions so here is a picture and a poll. I will be painting my truck flat black
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 05:10 PM
  #2  
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The actual grill inserts, or the surround?
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 05:11 PM
  #3  
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All of it including the bumper
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 05:31 PM
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From: Hedgesville WV
Gloss black
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 06:13 PM
  #5  
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Ew. Whenever I see them painted I feel like someone cheaped out and was hiding something.
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 06:19 PM
  #6  
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I don't like them painted either.

I bought my 79 with a painted grill surround and it looked like crap to me.
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 06:22 PM
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I wonder how I can polish up the Aluminum surround before I paint the grill inserts?
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 06:28 PM
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Not the best way to do it, but I used a drimel with a polishing wheel and compound.


It took a long time, and quite a bit of little wheels.
Don't see my self doing that again.
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 07:22 PM
  #9  
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From: fallbrook ca.
if you have a lathe or a drill press, chuck the buffing wheel up in that and and slow the wheel down to a good buffing speed and buff it with mothers polish.
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 07:24 PM
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Originally Posted by crescentwrencher
if you have a lathe or a drill press, chuck the buffing wheel up in that and and slow the wheel down to a good buffing speed and buff it with mothers polish.
The only thing I have is a drill and a air cut off tool.
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 07:27 PM
  #11  
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From: Arcade, Georgia
Originally Posted by Old Tired Rebel
I wonder how I can polish up the Aluminum surround before I paint the grill inserts?
If you search the forums and use the term polishing anodized trim, you will find a LOT of information on how to get rid of the oxidation. The real key is to get it shiny and then shoot it with several coats of clear to prevent oxidation from returning as quickly. Other option is to take it to a chrome / aluminum shop and have it polished (mine ran $300 but they removed all scratches and dings). It is now getting sprayed with professional grade clear. Still cheaper than a new $600 grille surround.
BTW-I used Krylon "Argent" Steel Wheel paint on my plastic inserts and 4 coats of clear over them. they look fantastic.
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 07:31 PM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by ArcadeTom
If you search the forums and use the term polishing anodized trim, you will find a LOT of information on how to get rid of the oxidation. The real key is to get it shiny and then shoot it with several coats of clear to prevent oxidation from returning as quickly. Other option is to take it to a chrome / aluminum shop and have it polished (mine ran $300 but they removed all scratches and dings). It is now getting sprayed with professional grade clear. Still cheaper than a new $600 grille surround.
BTW-I used Krylon "Argent" Steel Wheel paint on my plastic inserts and 4 coats of clear over them. they look fantastic.
The fun part will be a few dents,scratches and tears in the surrounds. But the grill inserts look like a good cleaning will work. I'll look up the polishing trim here a little later.
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 07:35 PM
  #13  
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If you painted just the inserts and buffed the surround, I think those look pretty cool. But, the whole thing painted...not so much.
 
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Old May 14, 2008 | 07:08 AM
  #14  
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If you are going to do it 'argent', may I suggest the 'cheap' aftermarket grill shell. I bought one for my truck. It's not shiny, but more of an unpolished aluminum. With some tweaking, I'm happy with the fit.
 
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Old May 14, 2008 | 12:29 PM
  #15  
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Paint it all!! but that's just me
 
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