67 GRILL REPAIR

[67 TEXAS RANGER]

anybody know who can repair the front aluminum grills on the 67's got a lot of dings and whoop marks.thanks for the help guys.

[forrestbump]

One of our members here, chicof100, has an ebay, I think, Company known as "Robert the Grill Guy." I have NO experience with him or his products, but from what I've read here, his products and services are well respected by others.

[chicof100]

I've been watching this thread thinking that 67 Texas Ranger was going to respond. But nothing, don't you just hate that. Someone asks a question get's an answer then does'nt even reply. Oh well I appreciate the plug forrestbump. I've got a lot of projects going on but I always have room for one more.

[sargentrs]

Hey chico! You still gotta ebay? My grill's in good shape, just needs a good polishing, but my headlight bezels have a couple of dings. I was going to try my hand at it myself but I'd sure rather have somebody experienced work on 'em.

[fordman]

they say that to remove dents in your aluminum to use only wooden tools to straighten out the aluminum. they say to form the wood to the contours of the aluminum so that you can tap it back into that shape.

[sargentrs]

Makes sense. I can do wood. I'll have to think on that one. Thanks, fordman!

[chicof100]

They say, they say!! A lot of people say until they have tried it. You'll find it does not work well. The key is proper tools and hard surface. using a piece of wood shaped for it may take out some of it but not all of it. Just like a body shop has an arsonal of tools to smooth out metal, the same applies for aluminum. The trick becomes knowing how hard to hit and where to hit. Aluminum is not as forgiving as steel and you can truly stretch it beyond repair. Getting it as smooth as possible before you start polishing is what your trying to achieve. Good thing is you can beat on them pryor to having the anodize stripped off. But befor you start any sanding or polishing you need to strip it.
Hey Sargentrs easiest way to get a hold of me and send pictures is:
robert dot regina at verizon dot net
I'll get back with you same day.

[fordman]

yes how hard to hit it is a big part of the process. wood is better than steel for pounding on these grills. i've tried it with both. there are some places that are very hard to get to in these grilles. and you just wish that you had a piece that was shaped just like the out side. so that you could slip it up behind there and tap it back to the original shape. the they said person i cant remember who now. said he did this and it worked for him. i myself didn't see pictures of the dents he had. but the dents i have are almost impossible ot get to without something that is the right shape to get into the tight space behind the bracket near the top of the grill i have in the bed room right now. so the dent just stay there. wishing i could fix it. so i could sell the grille. ha ha ha. it probably wont happen.

[chicof100]

Some spots are trickier then others, I have yet to use wood on any grilles or bezels. Metel to metal is how I do it. Not for everyone. It takes a lot of time and patients. Try welding on some of this thin aluminum. Most aluminum grilles can be manipulated to get around hard to access areas. (not recommended for the beginers) If you spend as much time on these as I do you learn the easiest ways to do it. A lot of guys/gals here have their own talents, wiring, brick/block laying, framing, Painting etc. etc. etc. I would have to go to a pro in order to get this done. unless.... I plan on doing this as a second career. Then I would learn all I could in order to have a lucrative go at it.
Like I said before, one can damage a grille or bezel beyond repair. If you have the time and tools to learn how, you can do it. I was fortunate enough to have two experienced guys teach me and I'm still learning.

[sargentrs]

Thanks chico. I'll get some pics and send 'em to you.

[hazelnut]

They say, they say!! A lot of people say until they have tried it. You'll find it does not work well. The key is proper tools and hard surface. using a piece of wood shaped for it may take out some of it but not all of it. Just like a body shop has an arsonal of tools to smooth out metal, the same applies for aluminum. The trick becomes knowing how hard to hit and where to hit. Aluminum is not as forgiving as steel and you can truly stretch it beyond repair. Getting it as smooth as possible before you start polishing is what your trying to achieve. Good thing is you can beat on them pryor to having the anodize stripped off. But befor you start any sanding or polishing you need to strip it.
Hey Sargentrs easiest way to get a hold of me and send pictures is:
robert dot regina at verizon dot net
I'll get back with you same day.

They say, they say !! I say because im the one who posted that i use wood to straighten my grille. And it works fine, no problems. I wouldnt go and smart off at people that you dont know or what they know or have done. Because i have to be honest. I never tryed to refinish a grille till i did mine and have to say its no where as hard as you try to make it out to be.Yes it takes some time and you dont want to go hitting on it to hard because aluminum is soft and not forgiveing, But just about any man thats good with his hands can refinish a grille if its not beyond repair.

[chicof100]

They say, they say!! A lot of people say until they have tried it. You'll find it does not work well. The key is proper tools and hard surface. using a piece of wood shaped for it may take out some of it but not all of it. Just like a body shop has an arsonal of tools to smooth out metal, the same applies for aluminum. The trick becomes knowing how hard to hit and where to hit. Aluminum is not as forgiving as steel and you can truly stretch it beyond repair. Getting it as smooth as possible before you start polishing is what your trying to achieve. Good thing is you can beat on them pryor to having the anodize stripped off. But befor you start any sanding or polishing you need to strip it.
Hey Sargentrs easiest way to get a hold of me and send pictures is:
robert dot regina at verizon dot net
I'll get back with you same day.

They say, they say !! I say because im the one who posted that i use wood to straighten my grille. And it works fine, no problems. I wouldnt go and smart off at people that you dont know or what they know or have done. Because i have to be honest. I never tryed to refinish a grille till i did mine and have to say its no where as hard as you try to make it out to be.Yes it takes some time and you dont want to go hitting on it to hard because aluminum is soft and not forgiveing, But just about any man thats good with his hands can refinish a grille if its not beyond repair.

There you go ladies and gentelemen, "I smarted off at someone I don't know" Needless to say I apologize for speaking ill of the almighty grille Guru, Hazelnut. This man obviously does this for a living and is to be trusted in his advise. I will from this point on refer any and all business to the Guru of grilles. Aparrently I do not know of what I speak. Lets see I have repaired and polished over 300 grilles ranging from years 62 thru 72 I have regular customers who restore classic trucks and call me when they need a grille. But for this board I will back down from giving "BAD" Advise or speaking Ill of the grille gurus. For those of you reading, repairing a grille and polishing it is a piece of cake "Even a caveman can do it" Follow the advice of the guru. Good Luck. Please accept my apologies hazelnut

[hazelnut]

They say, they say!! A lot of people say until they have tried it. You'll find it does not work well. The key is proper tools and hard surface. using a piece of wood shaped for it may take out some of it but not all of it. Just like a body shop has an arsonal of tools to smooth out metal, the same applies for aluminum. The trick becomes knowing how hard to hit and where to hit. Aluminum is not as forgiving as steel and you can truly stretch it beyond repair. Getting it as smooth as possible before you start polishing is what your trying to achieve. Good thing is you can beat on them pryor to having the anodize stripped off. But befor you start any sanding or polishing you need to strip it.
Hey Sargentrs easiest way to get a hold of me and send pictures is:
robert dot regina at verizon dot net
I'll get back with you same day.

They say, they say !! I say because im the one who posted that i use wood to straighten my grille. And it works fine, no problems. I wouldnt go and smart off at people that you dont know or what they know or have done. Because i have to be honest. I never tryed to refinish a grille till i did mine and have to say its no where as hard as you try to make it out to be.Yes it takes some time and you dont want to go hitting on it to hard because aluminum is soft and not forgiveing, But just about any man thats good with his hands can refinish a grille if its not beyond repair.

There you go ladies and gentelemen, "I smarted off at someone I don't know" Needless to say I apologize for speaking ill of the almighty grille Guru, Hazelnut. This man obviously does this for a living and is to be trusted in his advise. I will from this point on refer any and all business to the Guru of grilles. Aparrently I do not know of what I speak. Lets see I have repaired and polished over 300 grilles ranging from years 62 thru 72 I have regular customers who restore classic trucks and call me when they need a grille. But for this board I will back down from giving "BAD" Advise or speaking Ill of the grille gurus. For those of you reading, repairing a grille and polishing it is a piece of cake "Even a caveman can do it" Follow the advice of the guru. Good Luck. Please accept my apologies hazelnut

Do you think your the only one that can refinish a grille ? Do you really think that no one else can rework one ? Everytime i go to a swap meet thiers 40 people trying to give me card to straighten and polish aluminum. But why is that ? Because its just not that hard to do. And before anyone pays someone else to do it i think they should buy something aluminum from the pick-n-pull to try reworking it to see for themselfs, Maybe they can, Maybe they cant, But they'll never know until they try. I refinished mine and it looks as good as any grille that you sell. So talk your trash to the ones who dont know any better. It must really suck knowing that someone can rework a grille besides you dosent it. Im done with you !!

[chicof100]

Jealousy and immaturity are all your showing. You don't know me nor what I do. You don't know the number of people on this site as well as others that I have helped learn to straighten and polish grilles, as well as other parts.
You read into my posts what you will. If anyone folows your advise they will have additional work. Not saying it can't be done your way, It's just not the right way.
How many people can take a dent out of a car? The right way? Why do body shops exhist? If everyone can fix a dent then why are their bodyshops? I'm not saying I'm the only one who can do this, Your saying it.
When it comes to telling people the right way versus the harder way, you got your panties in a bunch. I stand by my method.
I will continue to do grilles my way and my business will continue to thrive. You can always pick up your "wood" and start your own grille business, I welcome the competition.
Or you can do as you have shown, and pout then say "It must really suck knowing that someone can rework a grille besides you dosent it. Im done with you.Words from someone who is upset and immature!!
To anyone reading, fix your own grilles if you have the time and know how, you'll be happier when you do.
If your engine blows fix it yourself according to hazelnut businessess do not need to exhist. Same applies for broken appliances, re-modeling or anything else for that matter.
Narrow-minded people get caught up in tunnel-vision, they think its their way and only theirs.
Other people who live and think outside the box, knows there is a time for do-it-yourself and a time for getting it done right by an experienced person.
Hazelnut, you might be good at what you do, and you might be handy with your hands, not everyone else is.
My business will not suffer from you or by you.
I welcome the opportunity to learn from you as you have many posts regarding these trucks. You may know more than your letting on. Practice up on your communication skills and some day we can have an intelligent conversation.
Not done with you!

[fordman]

i want to say. that i had to post "they say" because i couldnt remember who posted the information that i read. i want to say that i was not offended in any way. i have tried to work a grille. but really didnt go very far. because i was working in my [censored] with the grille at the time. i have not messed with the grille since then. it is sitting there for when i have nothing else better to do.