Restoring 71 Supreme cast grilles
#42
lol! And what kind of black paint did you use? Could you also post a photo of he type/style/brand of brush you used? Fun71 I'd love to hear what you used as well. Yours are also beautiful! And did either of you use primer first? I don't remember seeing that in the thread. Thanks!
Chris
Chris
I used Krylon semi flat black which is duller than satin. I can only find it in their Rust Tough line. 49203. Good luck.
#43
Just went to Hershey and Fusick was there. I found that the Cutlass Supreme emblems for the grill is not available repop. I have 2 decent used ones but I was going to get a new one to put on my newly restored grills (I hope...)
#44
I found out that as well. Having said that, The Parts Place lists one for 71. Part # EM2417T. As Fusick traditionally has made all these emblems for everyone, I am suspect about the Parts Place claim. Fusick makes the same looking emblems for the mid-70s Cutlasses which look the same but probably mount differently.
It would be great if it is correct.
It would be great if it is correct.
#48
lol! And what kind of black paint did you use? Could you also post a photo of he type/style/brand of brush you used? Fun71 I'd love to hear what you used as well. Yours are also beautiful! And did either of you use primer first? I don't remember seeing that in the thread. Thanks!
Chris
Chris
As for the black paint, it was probably Krylon semi gloss black as that is what I used on a lot of the other black parts under the hood.
The brush was one out of a Testors multi pack. No idea about its dimensions as I did the grilles in 1998.
#51
NOS 71 emblem
I know this guy. He's usually firm on price. If he won't ship, I'll pick it up and ship it to you. You pay for part and shipping. https://stlouis.craigslist.org/pts/d...360671481.html
#52
I know this guy. He's usually firm on price. If he won't ship, I'll pick it up and ship it to you. You pay for part and shipping. https://stlouis.craigslist.org/pts/d...360671481.html
#53
I got the NOS emblem- thanks for the lead, Gary. I also found and bought the krylon dull aluminum paint from O rielleys. It's not in stock but could be ordered. Cost 5.99 a can. Good deal. I still haven't started on the grills except for taking them out of the car. I put the 70 Vista on hold, I'm a little worried about getting in over my head.
#54
I started on the grills before Christmas. I have a old can of "aircraft" stripper that I brushed on after cleaning the grills. It didn't work very well. Took off the black paint well but left a lot of the silver. I think it's just lost it's potency because it's old. I'm going to buy some new stripper and try it again.
#55
Now you may never want to restore another pair of grills in your entire life. But I bet you have a deep feeling of accomplishment after finishing up with this pair. Awesome Job!
I cheated with the plastic grills on my 69. I bought a new set from Fusik, LOL
I cheated with the plastic grills on my 69. I bought a new set from Fusik, LOL
#56
I started on the grills before Christmas. I have a old can of "aircraft" stripper that I brushed on after cleaning the grills. It didn't work very well. Took off the black paint well but left a lot of the silver. I think it's just lost it's potency because it's old. I'm going to buy some new stripper and try it again.
#58
I have been working on my 56 f100 in the garage and planned to do the Cutlass grilles at the same time, But man is it cold out there! I ended up making a temporary table in my utility room as I did a few years ago to redo my taillights. Wife hasn't even complained too much! I bought some HD stripper that is supposed to remove epoxy. It does take off the paint better but it's not water soluble so I guess I will have to remove it with mineral spirits. Yeah it is a pain, good thing I'm retired!
#59
Well, Got back on the grill project. I had some stripper that was in my garage for a long time and it didn't work well. I bought some heavy duty stripper at Home Depot that was supposed to be really good and it would remove epoxy, so I figured it would be good , but you had to remove it with mineral spirits. which is a royal stinky PIA. So I got some rustoleum brand aircraft stripper on line. It works really good and can be washed off with water. This is some baadd sh*t though... I used latex gloves but when brushing off the stripper/ paint some splattered on my face and stung pretty good, Might be best to use a face shield. The 1st grille is pretty much ready for paint, The other 3 need another coat. Now I know what you mean, Brian!
#62
Back at it.
I painted the 4 grilles with the dull aluminum paint and that came out really well. That Krylon paint is really nice. After they dried for about a week I got everything together and started the black on the dining room table. ( I have a very understanding wife) I looked thru my old model car paints and found a small bottle of satin black. I used that starting with what looked like the easiest part, the wider center bar. I was ready with some lacquer thinner and also some mineral spirits, (I know lacquer thinner is bad stuff and was afraid of it taking off the silver). When I first started I was very careful and tried not to get paint on the raised portion, when I did I rubbed it off quickly with the mineral spirits- It did work. But then I found I could wipe off my mistakes with just the dry rag. After that ,I was still careful but I just wiped the raised part. If I missed something or got some paint on the flat outer parts (dropped the brush once) I used the mineral spirits very gently. Yep as you said the corners were the hardest. I got one done and the second about 1/2 done before I had to quit. I should be able to finish them up this week. Nice to see progress.
#64
Got the 2 sets painted and they look nice. I had a new Cutlass Supreme emblem put on by the body shop back in 1997 after I hit a deer and they broke it! I can see how it broke because when you screw on the new sheet metal nut on the stud you cut new threads. The one at the far right tends to twist and breaks off the "e". You can see it in the first pic. I super glued it and it was Ok. But now I got another new one (Thanks Gary) and sure didn't want to break it. So I used the sheet metal nuts on 3 of the studs and just slipped a piece of vacuum hose on the stud by the "e". I think this will work well. Now I just have to put the grills and front bumper back on.
#66
Looking great, bet you are glad that is done. Installing them is no picnic either, as the grilles are so heavy and you are fitting them into 47 year old plastic pieces. Good luck.
#67
So here's a question. I've been to all the big home and auto box stores around here in south jersey and I can't find the krylon dull aluminum- old or new. So I was thinking, would using VHT cast aluminum engine paint work? I think it's a close color to dull aluminum and it's got nice coverage from what I've experienced. But would it hold up to chips and stones from road debris? How has your dull aluminum held up? VHT makes a satin clear for wheels but can that be put over the VHT engine paint? Or is that whole VHT idea silly? Someone had mentioned spraying with a clear over it. What about that? By the way how many cans did you guys use? I remember one of you used self etching primer and the other didn't. I'd like to hear from you about how they held up? Thank you!
chris
chris
#68
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Chris - you can likely use the VHT engine paint and it will have the same durability as any other paint. It also has a nice flow nozzle. Just a word of caution on spraying clear over the VHT though. I found that doing that changes the color to a slightly darker shade. You won't need more than one can, it has lots of coverage since you're only really spraying the front and sides of the grills.
#69
Thanks Allan. Is it necessary for durability to spray clear over it? I only saw a clear for the wheel line of VHT. I'm not sure if they are compatible with the engine line of VHT. thoughts? And it seems like we're split down the middle regarding primer. I guess it can't hurt to use VHT engine primer. Thanks guys!
Chris
Chris
#72
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Thanks Allan. Is it necessary for durability to spray clear over it? I only saw a clear for the wheel line of VHT. I'm not sure if they are compatible with the engine line of VHT. thoughts? And it seems like we're split down the middle regarding primer. I guess it can't hurt to use VHT engine primer. Thanks guys!
Chris
Chris
#73
Yup. I'm gonna hand paint the insets. I was actually thinking of asking my wife who is a hobby artist to paint them for me since she has a much steadier hand than I do. It would also be great to have her involved in a part of the project. She definitely won't let me put the grilles on the dining room table like someone else said lol.
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