grill polish
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 355
Likes: 1
From: Sidney, BC, Canada
I just had mine polished at an chroming place (to the tune of $600). They straightened it out, fixed the dings etc. I also had the headlight doors done at the same time. Now it's not anodized, so it sparkles in the sun.
I put on 3 coats of Mother's aluminum polish before I installed it.
darrell
I put on 3 coats of Mother's aluminum polish before I installed it.
darrell
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 2
I just had mine polished at an chroming place (to the tune of $600). They straightened it out, fixed the dings etc. I also had the headlight doors done at the same time. Now it's not anodized, so it sparkles in the sun.
I put on 3 coats of Mother's aluminum polish before I installed it.
darrell
I put on 3 coats of Mother's aluminum polish before I installed it.
darrell
I tried to polish my grill and came to the conclusion it is chrome plated aluminum? All scratched up so I just gave up.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 355
Likes: 1
From: Sidney, BC, Canada
vortilon: There's a couple (crappy) pics in my gallery. I kinda broke the bank on that one. Now I need to have the trim on the front lip of the hood polished to match. And my hood letters... And the Mercury 250 tags on the cowl... And the 'Custom Cab' tags... And the rear bumper... And the trim around the back of the cab...
I just had ram-assist power steering added as well, so I'm feeling a bit broke...
When I first got the grill, my heart sank. It was dented and bent and dirty. I tried to polish by hand and quickly decided it would never be what I wanted. I don't know how the polishers took of the anodization, but it looks really good as bright aluminum.
darrell
I just had ram-assist power steering added as well, so I'm feeling a bit broke...
When I first got the grill, my heart sank. It was dented and bent and dirty. I tried to polish by hand and quickly decided it would never be what I wanted. I don't know how the polishers took of the anodization, but it looks really good as bright aluminum.
darrell
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 2
Darrell I can tell those pictures don't do that truck justice. Very nice.
I wonder how much work it is to get to the bare aluminum on these grills. First I should worry about my crappy paint.
I wonder how much work it is to get to the bare aluminum on these grills. First I should worry about my crappy paint.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 355
Likes: 1
From: Sidney, BC, Canada
I struggle with the same money issues. I've got a rust free California box and rad support sitting waiting in the driveway. It pains me that I can't afford the body work to make my truck into something pristine. Mechanically it's now just about where I want it (other than having the motor rebuilt with bigger cam and heads etc 
)...
Maybe these trucks aren't like 'tribbles' (from a previous post), but they're some sort of symbiotic organism that allows you to drive them around, but suck your bank account dry (kind of like a boat!).
darrell
)...Maybe these trucks aren't like 'tribbles' (from a previous post), but they're some sort of symbiotic organism that allows you to drive them around, but suck your bank account dry (kind of like a boat!).
darrell
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 6
From: UPSTATE NY
$600 does make me say ouch too because i am such an extreme cheapo but i do know polishing is no joke and it takes hours and hours to do. i am a hobbyist at it, i have sandpaper, stripper, polishes, and buffing equipment. i do alot of the parts on my motorcycle but surprisingly i havent attempted the grill yet. i've taken a liking and what seems to be a natural knack at it so i cant wait to try my hand at bodywork on my truck.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 2
Perhaps there is a chemical process that would remove the anodizing if that is what it is? I know if it is what they term "hard anodizing" the stuff can be pretty tuff. I had always thought it was chrome plating?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,651
Likes: 60
From: Hemet ca.
All the anodizing must be removed. Fix all dents and dings. Not a job the average person should do. Reason being: if you don't know what your doing you can stretch the aluminum or put a hole in it that would require professional attention. (Price just went up)
I've talked to a couple of people who were quoted prices from $600.00 to $1,400.00 The higher priced company wanted a waiver signed releasing them of liability in case damage occured. Depending on how bad grille is, depends on price, just like a body shop.
Every now and then I see them on ebay 67-72 grilles polished.
Considering what it costs to have these done at a shop, the price I see them sell for is reasonable.
I've talked to a couple of people who were quoted prices from $600.00 to $1,400.00 The higher priced company wanted a waiver signed releasing them of liability in case damage occured. Depending on how bad grille is, depends on price, just like a body shop.
Every now and then I see them on ebay 67-72 grilles polished.
Considering what it costs to have these done at a shop, the price I see them sell for is reasonable.
Junior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 95
Likes: 1
I've heard of people using EZ Off oven cleaner with lye or whatever is in it...I've never done it, and I would probably practice on a banged up headlight bucket or something...
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 73
Likes: 1
You can do it yourself if you have the time:
I will be doing my own, but will be practicing on a piece from the junkyard first.
Polishing Aluminum Trim - FORDification.com
(Hope that's okay to post another site
)
I will be doing my own, but will be practicing on a piece from the junkyard first.
Polishing Aluminum Trim - FORDification.com
(Hope that's okay to post another site
)
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 2
You can do it yourself if you have the time:
I will be doing my own, but will be practicing on a piece from the junkyard first.
Polishing Aluminum Trim - FORDification.com
(Hope that's okay to post another site )
I will be doing my own, but will be practicing on a piece from the junkyard first.
Polishing Aluminum Trim - FORDification.com
(Hope that's okay to post another site
)Thanks