The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop grill removal for plating

Well, I'm ready for this grill to be re-chromed. Looks like remove the bolts on the upper filler panel and remove that, then remove the bolts under the grill, then lift out??? Is there anything special or tricky to know when removing or is it pretty straightforward. It looks pretty simple, but then, a lot of things have looked simple --- until I get started then all kinds of stuff gets messy. I'm following the manuals, but I have gotten in much trouble before thinking I knew what I was doing. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks,

Dale

you got it, there's just a few bolts to remove the grill, some maybe awkward to get at, especially from under the fender ..... for rechroming, make sure the grill is completely disassembled, might save money doing that yourself

Bill

Thanks Bill - I'm getting started and I appreciate your thoughts. Haven't seen it, but I'm guessing (according to the assembly manual) the grill is held together with rivets. Is that correct in all cases? I'll now soon in mine.

Dale

Upper part was easy -- but -- it looks like you have to remove the lower filler assembly to remove the grill, before you can remove the bolts that hold the lower part of the grill to the lower filler [censored]'y. I don't see any other way to get at those lower grill bolts. Is that the correct way to go about it ?? The manual is reasonably vague.

Dale

the lower pan can be taken off with the grill still attached if that seema easier, but the grill is bolted to the lower pan with about 5 bolts straight up - may be awkward where the frame is in the way, but can be done if the bolts aren't too siezed in

Bill

Cameo56,,Bill is correct about the grille being TOTALLY dissasembled when taking it to the plater. Grind off all the rivets so they dont have to. The plating $$$ will be high enuf,to where you wont want to pay them any extra dollars for what you can do yourself.
Chroming has gone sky high,,but dont skrimp,,use an established shop with a good reputation. You dont want to have to re-do it 3 or 4 years down the road.
I found that out the hard(and expensive) way on some of my parts.

Thanks Bill and Marty. Looks like I will have to take the pan off with the grill attached Bill - There is less than a 1/2 inch between the back of the pan and the radiator brace and the angle makes it impossible to get anything on the bolts soooo -- more dissection than I hoped for. I will plan to grind the rivets when I finally get this thing out Marty. I have been using a local (within 60 miles) chrome shop and they do good work and have been most reasonable. I hear they are a little slow now so work like this I'm sure will at least be some help. I hear a lot of their commercial work has really slowed down. No surprise. Thanks again Bill and Marty for the help - I'm going under the truck again now, doubt I'll get it all done tonight - but it's nice to know you guys are out there when I get in trouble - which is frequent - learning is a pleasure ---Dale