Re-Finishing Engine Grill

cary · 06-30-2002, 06:58 AM

Just did a search.......... didn't find the answer.

Did we ever determine if there is a way to refinish the black plastic rear engine grill ?

lagoon · 06-30-2002, 08:18 AM

I did mine last year- took it off the rear lid, cleaned it real good and sprayed 3 coats of flat black paint. paint is holding up good so far. 81'SC

cary · 06-30-2002, 09:05 AM

You didn't etch it with any thing ?

In the auto paint stores, there are all kinds of products for bonding paint to plastic.

pwd72s · 09:16 AM

Cary, just a thought, since I've never done it to anything as big as a grille...how to get a pan big enough for the soaking procedure for one thing, (perhaps bring the dye to a boil on a BBQ?)...but some time ago, there was a post here about using RIT dye on small plastic parts. IT sure worked well on small bits for me! On the painting theme, perhaps check into what modeling hobbyist shops offer? These people know paint on plastics...(edit) did a search, here's the thread on dye jobs...don't laugh until you've read it, okay? Shift knob/heater knob restoration

Shakenbake · 06-30-2002, 09:16 AM

When did they start using plastic? My 1974 has an aluminum grill that looked like it was anodized. As it had faded, I sprayed it with hi-temp Bar-b-q grill paint 2 years ago and it still looks great.

DonDavis · DonDavis's Garage

I was in California last week and had Al Reed polish my wheels and also took my grill. He said they could not anodize because the mesh backing is steel and it's pop rivoted on.

I suppose the factory anodized the grill and rivots separately then attached to mesh. I was toying with the idea of polishing the top surace of the grill and leaving background black. Comments, suggestions?

Chuck Moreland · 06-30-2002, 10:14 AM

The usual problem with the plastic grill is oxidation. It just gets dry and 'kinda whitish looking.

Instead of repainting, try applying some thick silicone-based tire and rubber dressing to it. Use a stiff plastic bristled brush to work the goo down betweent the slats. It takes a while, but the grill will look like new. And the thick gooey type silicone dressing lasts a pretty long time especially if you park out of the sun. Lasts for months.

Randy W · Randy W's Garage

They started using plastic in '75. The original finish for the '72-74 metal grill is anodized grey, but these grills fade over the years, as do the '72 and '73 rear engine lid numbers and script. This patina looks great IMO and gives the car character. Most of these grills that have been painted black don't look right to me.

JSDSKI · 06-30-2002, 04:05 PM

I'm with Randy on this one... early cars in good shape should have a patina, otherwise they start to look like tarted up old ladies with too much make-up (like a sixty year old in a midriff cut dress or stratch leotards - they're all over LA).

pwd72s · 06-30-2002, 04:06 PM

Randy, I've seen one successful job of re anodizing the grill...Jeff Smith's silver car. He didn't give the details, but it looks great. Knowing him, it wasn't an easy job, but he'd never let that stop him...

Randy W · Randy W's Garage

Leave it to Jeff to find a way. I noticed he had the numbers and letters done too. His '72 S restoration is amazing. No one else would have the red tartan seat inlay reproduced by a seamstress exactly to the thread count!

pwd72s · 06-30-2002, 04:17 PM

I once thought I was a crazy fanatic...because many people told me so. But now I know I'm perfectly normal...after meeting Jeff!

Silver Surfer · 07-16-2002, 01:36 PM

Actually--and not to tarnish the well deserved lustre of Jeff's reputation--he and I discussed this very issue and he confessed that his grill is powdercoated. PWD, I agree with you. I have seen Jeff's grill up close and it looks pretty close to anodized. He said the trick is to find someone who doesn't put too much paint on it. I am still looking for someone who might be able to re-anodize mine, however. I exchanged emails with Marcos Cielak at Anobrite, Inc. (anobrite@anobrite.com) who said that he has done this before on early Porsches. He drills out the pop rivets to take off the steel screen, then re-anodizes the aluminum grill, and reassembles. He can color match the grill if you give him a sample. He said the process takes 3-4 weeks and costs $400.00. The website is www.anobrite.com. I intend to follow up with him when I get me car back from my mechanic (lengthy drive train rebuild pending) and try to get some references to talk to to see if they were happy with his work. If you have him re-anodize your grill, please post here let us know how it goes.

steve911 · steve911's Garage

I did this a few months ago on my '85. I used a self-etching primer (I don't the chemistry here, but the self-etching works great for the center caps I hand paint, so I figured it couldn't hurt.)

Then I sprayed the grill with Wurth's Satin Black. Good as new. Don't forget to spray the 'T' screws that hold the rear grill.

While you're at it, you might consider respraying the front air grill as well...