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Old 12-31-2013, 06:56 PM   #1
chakah
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Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

As most us know, aluminum grills are hard to find. We mostly see 64-66 if any. I have been on lookout for months for a '63 grill, no dice. Then some of you are fortunate to grow 'em on trees (Rene C/10 King).
While cleaning out the garage, I noticed too many spray cans. Why not put 'em to use.
Started with the basic tools for removal, die grinder, 4 in. grinder, wire wheels, and some spray cans. Now we all know there is no such thing as chrome paint, so I renamed it 60-66 C-10 Anodized Grill Paint.
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This is before removing anything on my Panel.
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You can't really tell on these pics but the white paint was really on there. Somebody went paint brush crazy on it.
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Another angle. The screws on the trim rings were in really bad shape.
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I'm sorry I skipped a pic, but I removed the complete grill with lights and all because the trim rings would not come out. Once it was out, I ground out the rivet fasteners to get to the trim ring screws. Besides it gives access to paint the headlight brackets.
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Old 12-31-2013, 07:15 PM   #2
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

Now here are the headlight brackets. This gives me time to replace bad screws. I used a wire brush and a Scothbrite scuff pad since I don't have a bead blaster. I also get to primer paint. I used a flat black to match up the patina.
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A light scuff with the pad and a light primer will do.
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Since the grinders won't fit, I also scuffed the back of the grill.
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I did half of the paint removal here.
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This is where the die grinder helps. It'll get in through tight spots with the wire wheel bit.
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Old 12-31-2013, 07:34 PM   #3
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

Here is the grill with the paint removed. One thing I don't recommend is using paint remover. Wire wheels and paint remover do not mix, you'll get it all over.
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Here I can take a grinder break and paint the body with a flat black.
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Another angle. Two coats of this flat black from a dollar store does the job.
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While the body dries, I continued on the brackets.
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Like I mentioned earlier, a scuff pad helps. Rust dust gets all over.
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Old 12-31-2013, 07:48 PM   #4
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

So far , so good!
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Old 12-31-2013, 07:48 PM   #5
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

Now I tape up the rest of the body for the white.
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Here's the first coat. On this I used a white primer for paint. Simply because the dam can was in my way. I didn't want that glossy look either.
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Looking better without the tape.
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Hood closed looks even better.
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Another angle. All that headlight wiring was already brittle, so I replaced it and rerouted for a cleaner look.
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Old 12-31-2013, 07:54 PM   #6
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

looking good.


I love that way of deciding paint color. The can was in my way
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Old 12-31-2013, 07:57 PM   #7
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

Now it's time to overspray the neighbors.
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Can't forget the trim rings.
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First light coat.
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Those are done.
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After the second coat. Here you can coat the back of all pieces.
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Old 12-31-2013, 08:09 PM   #8
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

That is looking really good.
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Old 12-31-2013, 08:17 PM   #9
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

I forgot to mention earlier but when I assembled the headlight brackets to the grill, I simply got some small screws with nuts to replace the rivets. These clips are for the trim rings. Now....why does Harbor Freights have to sell me a whole box? I just need 6.
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And here it is assembled together.
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Front view.
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And the other side view.
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Pretty damm close if you ask me,.....at least at 55 mph passing by.
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And that's how save time and money looking for an aluminum grill.
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Old 12-31-2013, 08:18 PM   #10
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

Man that does look good ! Really needed the detail behind the grille to, looks great !
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Old 12-31-2013, 08:19 PM   #11
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

That looks pretty damn good! I never have liked chrome paint but that came out great
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Old 12-31-2013, 08:24 PM   #12
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

NICE! It's ultra rare magnetic aluminum.
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Old 12-31-2013, 08:35 PM   #13
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

[QUOTE=chakah;6444127]I forgot to mention earlier but when I assembled the headlight brackets to the grill, I simply got some small screws with nuts to replace the rivets. These clips are for the trim rings. Now....why does Harbor Freights have to sell me a whole box? I just need 6.
Attachment 1193834

Because the other 94 will break (jk) Nice work on the grille.
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Old 12-31-2013, 08:53 PM   #14
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

That does look perrty darn good! Heck of alot cheaper then getting it chromed! Might give that a shot just for the fun of it!
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Old 12-31-2013, 08:57 PM   #15
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

Quote:
Originally Posted by 60-66 View Post
Man that does look good ! Really needed the detail behind the grille to, looks great !
thanks Jon, got the paper work done and now it's ready roll !
Quote:
Originally Posted by hopped up View Post
That looks pretty damn good! I never have liked chrome paint but that came out great
neither do I,....but don't ask why it was in my garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by oem4me View Post
NICE! It's ultra rare magnetic aluminum.
there you go oem, that's what I'll stick to
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sillyoldman View Post
Now....why does Harbor Freights have to sell me a whole box? I just need 6.


Because the other 94 will break (jk) Nice work on the grille.
...that's no lie, thanks
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Old 12-31-2013, 09:00 PM   #16
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

When I was growing UP, we called that paint "DUTCH CHROME" but I think it turned out pretty good and it's a improvement over what you started with.
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Old 12-31-2013, 09:04 PM   #17
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

Yep might have to borrow this but all the credit will be yours my friend... Great job!!
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Old 12-31-2013, 09:49 PM   #18
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

that is astoundingly great!
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Old 12-31-2013, 09:58 PM   #19
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

very nice job!
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Old 12-31-2013, 09:59 PM   #20
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

Nice job. I dont think a guy on here hasn't at one time or another tried their hand at chrome paint... I just gotta ask..

how come they just dont sell the paint they colored the spray paint can lid!? Haha
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Old 12-31-2013, 10:17 PM   #21
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

Wow, what a makeover! The coolest part is that it took very little money (but a lot of labor) and the results are outstanding. Nice job!
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Old 12-31-2013, 10:48 PM   #22
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

The grill turned out great. I've wondered about the chrome paint and how it would look but never tried it. Seems to be a winner.
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Old 12-31-2013, 11:07 PM   #23
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

Looks chingon brutha! The hard work paid off at the end!
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Old 12-31-2013, 11:18 PM   #24
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

Nice improvement! The detailing behind really makes it work.
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Old 12-31-2013, 11:23 PM   #25
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Re: Poor man's '63 aluminum grill

Holly sh#t, can I send you half a dozen 63' grills to redo?????
Just kidding, Looks fantastic!!!
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