polishing aluminum?
 

What is the best way to polish an old outer grille on a 72.

Re: polishing aluminum?
 

The quickest way to get the most ideas is to type "polish grille" into the Google search box at the top of this page, click on the circle in front of "67-72chevytrucks.com" and click on the Google button. I think it came up with 1400 hits for me. Not all are directly related but there is a lot of info there.

LockDoc

Re: polishing aluminum?
 

Ive havent polished a grill, but Ive had good results polishing rims and some misc parts with high grit wet sandpaper.

Re: polishing aluminum?
 

Re: polishing aluminum?
 

I need to strip the coating from my good spare grill to see if I can polish mine so Im tuned in to this post.

Re: polishing aluminum?
 

I was thinking the same thing the other day that I need to buff/polish some of those scratches out of mine and thought about just taking the old porter cable buffer to it

So the outer of the 71-72 was anodized from the factory not just a polished finish. Would make sense since they held their finish.

Might be more troubel than I first thought

Re: polishing aluminum?
 

I wonder how well my new Tiawan grill shell will hold up compared to my nice original .My old one isnt dented just dulled from all the years of service .

Re: polishing aluminum?
 

Thanks for all the help. I will google it and see what happens.

Re: polishing aluminum?
 

i would use a semi chrome cream http://www.simichrome-polish.com/
Bare aluminum and alloy wheels need the most care. Aluminum wheels oxidize much faster than other types. The amount of time required to polish aluminum wheels depends on their condition. It is usually easier to polish them more often. To polish aluminum wheels, use duct tape to guard the tire from the polish staining it. The duct tape will not leave any residue on the tire, yet it will stick unlike many other types of tape. Polish the alloy wheels using Simichrome. Apply Simichrome using a soft towel or diaper. Polish in the direction of the wheel. Use moderate pressure and turn the towel often. The towel will turn black from the aluminum-polishing residue. A terry towel may be used on severely oxidized wheels to rough them in, followed by a soft diaper to finish. When satisfied with the renovation to the wheel, wipe the majority of the excess polish from the wheel. To final polish and increase the gloss of the polished wheel, wipe the wheel with cornstarch. Cornstarch can be purchased at any supermarket. Dip the clean towel into the box and wipe the wheel thoroughly with the cornstarch. The cornstarch will absorb the excess polish from the pores of the aluminum and eliminate any streaks in the finish. To remove any cornstarch powder, use compressed air. Very severely oxidized wheels may be wet sanded with a very fine wet or dry sanding paper prior to polishing. If you are unsure about sanding aluminum wheels, it is better to consult a professional rather than risk damage to the wheel.

Re: polishing aluminum?
 

Cornstarch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i have not seen or heard anyone using that in years!!!!! jajajaja that is really old school

Re: polishing aluminum?
 

I'm polishing my '69 outgrille at the moment. I did a write up in a thread called "restoring pitted aluminum." It's a lot of work to restore them. You have to de-anodize the part so you can polish the aluminum. Liquid crystals mixed with water and let soak until the part turned a snowy white color is what I've used to accomplish that process. I posted a pick of an original headlight bezel that I restored in a thread called "polishing headlight bezels."

Re: polishing aluminum?
 

Would the shell of the 72 stlye grill need stripped before polishing? It is not pitted just has some light surface scatches

Re: polishing aluminum?
 

The best way to tell if an aluminum part needs to be de-anodized so it can be polished is to buy some Mother's mag and aluminum polishing compound and put a little on the part. If the cloth your using turns black, the part or spot is able to be polished. If the cloth doesn't turn a color, the part will need to be de-anodized so it can be polished.

Hope that makes sense. Be aware that once you do de-anodize the part, it will need to be clear coated or take regular maintenance to keep the shine.

Re: polishing aluminum?
 

I see what you mean about the anodized metal. Maybe my wife will by me a new outer grille so I won't have to go through all that work...

Re: polishing aluminum?
 

Yeah, it's a lot work, but it saves a lot of money! Although your spending many hours on it. That's the whole fun about these trucks though! I just like the thought of having original parts on these 40 year old trucks! Maybe she will buy you an NOS grille! They pop up ever now and then.

Good luck!

Re: polishing aluminum?
 

I have been told to de-anodize one is to use blue cap oven cleaner and a green or dark red scotch brite pad. You will have to remove this before you even start. You will know you are removing it when you start rubbing the oven cleaner in. I started one and never finished it. If you do use this method do not and I stress do not use the yellow cap which is the heavy duty cleaner because it is strong enough if left on for awhile to eat a hole in the aluminum.

Re: polishing aluminum?
 

That's great info to know. Thanks!!

Re: polishing aluminum?
 

Great info PT!

Re: polishing aluminum?
 

I polished my outter grille! :metal:, and, I used the yellow heavy duty stuff.

Let sit 10-15 min then rinsed. Not ALL of the anodize coating will lift free, sanding needed. I had lots of scratches etc... Check my build thread for pics. Some info is wrong about sand paper used (mistyped the order of grit used). I still need to clear coat (in can) it to protect. Turned out sweet! (IMHO), took a long time but well worth it to me.