Steel grill work...

[Bullit]

Hi all,
I'm working on my steel grill that I got back from the media blaster and thought I'd get started on it. My issues are what & how to deal with minor dings on the steel that appear while sanding. As my plan is to polish/chrome this grill, I need to get rid of these minor imperfections to the point they are gone. Is this something I'd need to do some welding/filler in these little nicks? Then grind/sand/polish to level? (guessing here) Now, I have small rust spots appearing where I have yet to get to... How do I deal with this problem? I sanded some of them and the rust that was there left dark/black stains. I cannot locate the thread where someone here had the same issue on their hood rust. They got the rust sanded off and there was a "stain" left behind. He had a process that corrected that.(some kind of treatment?) Do I even need to worry about this at all? Will it make a difference when I get it chromed?
ANYBODY?
thx, BULLIT

[flyboy2610]

For the dents and dings, I would use some small amounts of JB Weld and fill them in with it just proud of the surface then grind and sand them smooth.

[fordman]

welding them level is probably the only way to go . so that it wil stand up to the chroming process. the stains i am unsure of. i do remember reading about that too. but i dont recall where i read it either. it may have been something abou tthe naval jelly stuff. it stops and prevents rust from coming back.

[70 ranger]

A body mans pick hammer a file and a heel dollie is what you need. you rest the outer surface on the flat spot in the dollie, then tap out the dent from the back side. Once the dent is level file the little dimples fron the pick untll it is flat. The surface will need to be sanded smooth to whatever grit the plater wants.
The J.B. weld is a good idea but I would check with your plater to see if chrome will stick to that.

[fbomb100]

Do not put any jb well or any filler on it if your chroming it as jb weld WILL NOT POLISH!! and the copper and nickle plating will not stick to it ..then you'll have a crapy job,, with people going what happened here!
if you use a welder and carefully fill in some hard to get spots the cat be gotting to and then grind and sand it polish it smooth then your good to go

Now if you where to paint it the JB weld good to go

[Bullit]

After considering the issue and researching the options....I've decided to "out-source" this work as my schedule is tight right now. Besides, the plater I'm going through said I won't save any money by doing the sanding/polishing myself. For about $950.00, I'll let them take care of it...
THanks guys!
Bullit

[chicof100]

For $950.00 I'll probably get into the steel grille business. Naw, I'll stick to the Aluminum grilles. I do have a few steel grilles I may work on. I saw a 67 steel grille on a truck that was chromed and the shine was amazing. I do prefer aluminum grilles. Any steel grille in an area that sees snow regularly will rust fast unless it's a Trailer Queen ride. It is more expensive to chrome versus polishing aluminum. Done properly, both aluminum and steel will give the front end of your truck an amazing apearance.

[Bullit]

I'm in the Seattle area and that seems to be the going price for that grill and headlight doors. I wanted to go local so I can bring it back if there's any issues instead of paying shipping back and forth somewhere else..
I'm open to suggestions as long as it's "semi-local"..
Bullit

[chicof100]

I understand the want and need to having it done local, but for that price they should pick it up and deliver not to mention install it. Did you try and negotiate the price with them?

[fbomb100]

I understand the want and need to having it done local, but for that price they should pick it up and deliver not to mention install it. Did you try and negotiate the price with them?

like chicof100 said
.. it is easyer to just go 10 to 20 mins away but some times it just a hell of alot better to go far for better work /price/ and fairness ,and not a guy looking at you as his meal ticket just becuase hes think hes the only game there is in the area!!!
you got to price around,, I bet you'll get a better deal even with the shipping and still have money for other parts as well else where!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! remember money talks and bull chips walks

[Bullit]

I just did a little more "shopping around"...
The next place I contacted gave me a quote of between $800.00 and $1200.00 just for a bumper!
The first quote is from the people that did my wife's '57 bumper about 10 years ago and it still looks good.
Maybe because it's the northwest and very few shops to shop from.... After speaking to this last one....they said "ABSOLUTELY NOTHING LEAVES OUR SHOP UNLESS IT'S SHOW QUALITY THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PUT OUR NAME ON IT".
I was told that I could get and "after-market" bumper for alot less... that's true but I've seen some of those that were shipped in from CHINA that flex if ya look at them wrong!

[fbomb100]

After speaking to this last one....they said "ABSOLUTELY NOTHING LEAVES OUR SHOP UNLESS IT'S SHOW QUALITY THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PUT OUR NAME ON IT".

I think that most all the shops say that!!!
who all did you call there

[Bullit]

Queen City Plating was the most expensive and Art Brass....