TIME TO GRILLE

SFbullitt · December 27, 2006, 03:26:35 AM

I started the deconstruction process of the grille tonight. I started with the outer core and found an easier alternative to removing the rivets on the inner supports. I used a small sharp chisel and it worked! It was able to get in between the plastic and the frame without breaking anything! I tried to use a side drill at first and couldn't get to it. This method worked perfectly. There is a pic at the bottom where you can see the chisel and angle that I used. Almost EVERY bolt was frozen and they all pretty much broke off at the first turn. I soaked them in WD 40 and it didn't help. I ordered the kit with the new washers and bolts and I'm happy to have found it online. I wet sanded the gray/black factory paint so it's perfectly smooth and ready for primer. I will keep posting pics along the way. One vacuum pod works, the other is dead. Luckily, I have a spare.

SFbullitt · December 27, 2006, 03:28:59 AM

more pics..

Shakey · December 27, 2006, 09:53:14 AM

Take your time and be very gentle with that fragile and pricey part for your car. If you do it right, it will looks fantastic when completed.

There are many threads on this site with regards to the restoration of these grilles, the products used and the processes involved.

I have posted a couple and so have many others. I'm quite proud of my results with mine and a lot of the credit must go to other members that I learned from.

Good luck and be sure to post some progress pics.

SFbullitt · December 27, 2006, 12:20:43 PM

Yeah Shakey, I saw the amazing job that you did. Tonight I'm going to remove the lights, brakets and harnesses. It looks like the old owner of the grille painted the frame with some weird thick paint. I'm going to jasco/sand it off. I will post stage 2 pics later. Did you need to buy a new center I piece? I need one as you can see in the pics. I'm wondering if the finish is more on the chrome side than stainless. If it is, I plan on making it dull with some 1000 grit to match the old stainless.

Shakey · December 27, 2006, 02:04:42 PM

Thanks for the compliment.

The grille trim is anodized aluminium.

I did need a new I piece. Even though the reproduction pieces are available, I purchased a used one that had some dings and dents and sent it out for restoration / anodizing. By the time I was done I had more into it than I would have if I had purchased a new one however the other pieces of grille trim were done by the same guy in CA so I wanted to have it all match.

BigBlockSam · December 28, 2006, 11:10:28 PM

bookedbydano · December 29, 2006, 01:20:03 AM

Yes take your time and it will turn out great. I did all mine even the dented trim and then buffed myself. Some plastic repair and paint. Turned out like brand new and saved a ton of cash........

SFbullitt · December 29, 2006, 03:07:42 AM

Whoa that looks incredible! I love that nice new coat of orange too! After looking at your pic, I noticed that I'm missing one ground strap. I jasco'd off the old paint tonight and found a bunch of rust under the old paint. I took a torch to the frame and scraped the rest of the old crap off with a wire brush....After it was cleaned, I primed it and shot a fresh coat of flat/satin black. Even got to install two brand new headlights and bezels. My silver grille paint, lower lip black and trim black should show up next week so I can get to the plastics.

Did you paint the silver first or black?

I found a new center I at Charger Specialties. I will be making the phone call in the morning for sure. It's the only stainless piece that I need. My new Charger emblems for the right headlight door showed up today. Can't wait to slap those on! more pics soon...

Charger-Bodie · December 29, 2006, 03:20:14 AM

be carful i was told that charger specialitys i piece is chromed plastic id get the oness from gunslinger or B E & A

bookedbydano · December 29, 2006, 12:02:19 PM

I painted the silver first. then mask it off then shoot black. worked great!!!! Looked just like the factory did it, probably better. Good luck keep the photos coming..........

SFbullitt · December 29, 2006, 01:35:41 PM

I HOT 68- You're right. I called Russ at Charger Specialties this morning and it is in fact plastic. He's out of stock on it right now anyway. After thinking about it, I'd rather penny up a few extra bucks for the stainless re-pod since I'd have to remove the whole grille to get it out later on. Don't want to do that.

The PADDOCK had a new stainless one in stock....shipped to my door it was $190. Can't believe how much these things are

Charger-Bodie · December 29, 2006, 03:58:27 PM

i just finished my grille i painted the black and the outer silver then i had a pro sign painter do the bars ect with a brush {cant tell it was done with a brush} it looks amazing the silver is so crisp and perfect that i cant even believe it ...the best part he only charged me 100.00 to do it

SFbullitt · January 05, 2007, 06:19:07 PM

Here are some updated on my grille project. I painted the core's stilver first, then masked off the silver and shot the black lip. Tuend out great. I also used the SEM trim black on the intter fins and it's perfect. I love spraying SEM products. They rock.

BigBlockSam · January 05, 2007, 06:32:32 PM

looks great

mikepmcs · January 05, 2007, 06:44:12 PM

crap now i wanna do mine!

70 Charger RT · January 05, 2007, 11:32:19 PM

Has anyone tried to convert the vacuum doors to electric like the 70s are? I have a high performance motor which doesn't leave a lot of vacuum left for the headlight doors.

Thanks,

NorwayCharger · January 06, 2007, 08:49:29 AM

Quote from: 70 Charger RT on January 05, 2007, 11:32:19 PM
Has anyone tried to convert the vacuum doors to electric like the 70s are? I have a high performance motor which doesn't leave a lot of vacuum left for the headlight doors.

Thanks,

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,14432.0.html

440mag · January 06, 2007, 12:29:39 PM

Quote from: SFbullitt on December 29, 2006, 03:07:42 AM
I jasco'd off the old paint tonight and found a bunch of rust under the old paint.

What is jasco'd?

SFbullitt · January 06, 2007, 06:05:52 PM

Jasco paint remover. Someone sprayed thicj back paint on the metal frame. Only Jasco would remove it.

70 Charger RT · January 06, 2007, 09:22:58 PM

Thanks Norway.

jaak · January 07, 2007, 01:04:43 AM

looks good SFBullet!!!

Jason

Ghoste · January 07, 2007, 01:08:39 AM

It's looking good SF. When I see the work people put into restoring the plastic grilles, it's one of the few times I like my diecast one. The grille weighs about 3500 lbs on the fastbacks but restoring them is mainly masking and painting.

SFbullitt · January 10, 2007, 01:51:42 AM

I finished the painting.....sanding and painting and assembled the grill tonight. I got all mew hardware and it looks great. On the stainless, I started with the 2 ( ) C trim's on both end and left the front top and bottom nuts loose so that I can slide it into place. On the Stainless I peice that I picked up from Paddock is great, but I had to grind a little off of all end tabs to get them to slide into the straight stainless pieces. After that mod, it slid in nicely and I was able to line up the seems with a small flathead. A little tweak here and there and it's nice. On my stianless, I must have rubbed each piece with steel wool and blue corral for an hour while watching TV over a period of a week. I'm happy with the result. The stainless I matches nicely. I highly recommend it. Paddock- 189 shipped to my door.

SFbullitt · January 10, 2007, 02:00:30 AM

BEFORE AND AFTER

tan top · January 10, 2007, 04:13:45 AM

nice job (SFbullitt)

Shakey · January 10, 2007, 08:04:18 AM

Looks like you did an excellent job. Well done!

SFbullitt · January 10, 2007, 11:41:14 AM

Right on! I'm waiting for the new headlight door emblem so I can put the whole thing together. One little tiny thing is holding me up.

Chatt69chgr · January 10, 2007, 12:00:21 PM

Thanks for sharing your grill restoration. I have this to do still. Your grill came out looking very good. Please don't take this as a criticism but my plastic portion is not silver----it is more like a gunmetal gray----and it has never been refinished. I figure that there must have been variation throughout the model year---perhaps diffent vendors or the finish the vendor applied varied slightly. My car is an end of year car. There has been discussion on this in previous threads. In fact, one member shared his formula with me and his pictures came out exactly like mine looks as far as the color is concerned. But, alas, my paint vendor couldn't mix me any of this since it was acrylic and they only do the newer paints now. Said their old stock of the acrylics had dried up. Had to change due to EPA regulations.

SFbullitt · January 10, 2007, 12:34:55 PM

Mine, is more of a gun metal than bright silver. I took that pic under flourencent lights which always misrepresents true colors. Check out this pic, I moved it into my playroom in the garage. Looks different under normal light.

SFbullitt · January 10, 2007, 12:37:46 PM

with no flash....

Lord Warlock · January 21, 2007, 02:00:34 AM

You're spreading bondo on the carpet? ....bad boy

its hard to tell what is correct and what just looks good. I think it looks great, I'll see about getting a shot of my own original grill and add it to the thread for reference use. I plan on working on this part soon as well. How do you detach the stainless trim around the front of the opening? the pieces appear to fit into each other so I don't want to snap anything important. I have to replace my I piece in the front as well, and fill in a small hole/cracked plastic. I already have the replacement I piece, though it will need a little work before it goes on for good, I hope you don't have to rip the whole thing apart just to get the trim off.

SFbullitt · January 21, 2007, 09:06:25 PM

I was using that filler for a few small stress cracks that I found in the plastic. That carpet's in my playroom, no worries.

Yeah Lord, you need to have them all loose so that it doesn't bend. I got the stainless I piece instead of plastic and had to slightly grind a little of the tabs on all 4 ends so that it fit perfectly. Since your grille is out of the car, it's easy. I finished my grille the other night. I'm charging my camera to publish the finished pics. Stay tuned!

SFbullitt · January 22, 2007, 10:59:51 AM

She's done! It was a fun but lengthy project. I'm happy with the results and can't complain about any of the products that I used. Both headlight doors open and close as if it was new and the vacuum pods work really well. I just need to run new vacuum lines and clean up the wire harness for it to be 100% complete.

Roth68rt · January 22, 2007, 10:28:28 PM

That looks fantastic, brand new even. Great job!!!
Steve

Charger-Bodie · January 24, 2007, 04:24:12 PM

excellent!!!!

timinator · September 16, 2007, 10:02:23 PM

I just finished mine. I used the Eastwood Argent wheel silver and the SEM trim black as per the comments here. Turned out great. I had to replace several parts from a donor grille but between the two of them, had all the parts I needed. It actually didn't take very long. I did it over the weekend.

bull · September 17, 2007, 04:40:36 AM

What do you guys use to repair cracks in the bezel? And what do you use to reattach broken pieces such as the lower corners?

1969chargerrtse · September 17, 2007, 05:42:51 AM

Quote from: timinator on September 16, 2007, 10:02:23 PM
I just finished mine. I used the Eastwood Argent wheel silver and the SEM trim black as per the comments here. Turned out great. I had to replace several parts from a donor grille but between the two of them, had all the parts I needed. It actually didn't take very long. I did it over the weekend.

Wow, great job, I'm getting ready to do mine, it's nice to see how those colors worked. So pulling it out, cleaning it up , swapping parts and painting it, over the weekend? Looks great! Rob.

bear · September 17, 2007, 02:56:15 PM

Quote from: SFbullitt on December 27, 2006, 03:26:35 AM
I started the deconstruction process of the grille tonight. I started with the outer core and found an easier alternative to removing the rivets on the inner supports. I used a small sharp chisel and it worked! It was able to get in between the plastic and the frame without breaking anything! I tried to use a side drill at first and couldn't get to it. This method worked perfectly. There is a pic at the bottom where you can see the chisel and angle that I used. Almost EVERY bolt was frozen and they all pretty much broke off at the first turn. I soaked them in WD 40 and it didn't help. I ordered the kit with the new washers and bolts and I'm happy to have found it online. I wet sanded the gray/black factory paint so it's perfectly smooth and ready for primer. I will keep posting pics along the way. One vacuum pod works, the other is dead. Luckily, I have a spare.

where did you get that bolt kit from i need one for my grille

Lord Warlock · September 17, 2007, 08:51:32 PM

Yes, do tell the bolt kit location, would love to see what it includes. I plan on replacing about every bolt i can get to eventually, originality has its limits.

Brado · October 02, 2007, 12:06:25 PM

Nice work guys.. unfortunately my 69 grille is unrepairable (big chunks missing). Anyone bought a repo from PPR yet?

chargerman68 · October 02, 2007, 12:21:34 PM

darn mis read the title was getting the bbq ready....

69bronzeT5 · October 02, 2007, 10:23:26 PM

Im gonna half to get my grille done sometime...Im afraid to do anything to it though, it cost us $400 and Im afraid of f**king it up.

68mmcharger · October 05, 2007, 08:01:56 PM

Who sells the arrow emblem for the 68 grille? Is it different from the one on the rear panel?

Lord Warlock · November 05, 2007, 07:14:22 PM

Got all my own trim pieces off last weekend, worked out the damage to the spare I piece, I assume this piece was originally chrome wasn't it?

What size ubolts extend thru the front of the fender to hold it in place? Mine snapped off when removing it, so have to get new ones.

bull · November 06, 2007, 05:48:23 AM

Quote from: bull on September 17, 2007, 04:40:36 AM
What do you guys use to repair cracks in the bezel? And what do you use to reattach broken pieces such as the lower corners?

Uh-oh, I accidentally wrote another question that only I can see.

FYI, I've also heard of people using a sharp-edged silver paint pen on the bars.

Silver R/T · November 06, 2007, 08:45:48 PM

Quote from: 1hot68 on December 29, 2006, 03:58:27 PM
i just finished my grille i painted the black and the outer silver then i had a pro sign painter do the bars ect with a brush {cant tell it was done with a brush} it looks amazing the silver is so crisp and perfect that i cant even believe it ...the best part he only charged me 100.00 to do it

looks pretty nice! I thought you were resto/paint guy, could've done it yourself???

Lord Warlock · December 30, 2007, 09:18:48 PM

Been working on the grille a bit this weekend, took a while to get around to it, still have to resand the black lip and re-do it as it isn't smooth enough yet. I may have to search for some SEM trim paint, the organisol doesn't look right, and neither did the other black i tried. I finished the silver today at least, after repairing a few small cracks and the previously mentioned hole, looks pretty good now, but we'll have to see it tomorrow in daylight. I'm tempted to break out the airbrush instead of relying on aerosol cans. Was the factory black a satin, flat or gloss black?

Are the inner silver areas (around the black plastic) painted the same color as the grille plastic surround? Seemed to be a little more silver colored than the grille paint that i got for it. Under flourescents they looked a little darker than it did the first coat in sunshine, we'll see. I can't see the contrast with the black until I remove the masking tomorrow.

LW

bear · December 30, 2007, 10:00:05 PM

Quote from: Lord Warlock on December 30, 2007, 09:18:48 PM
Been working on the grille a bit this weekend, took a while to get around to it, still have to resand the black lip and re-do it as it isn't smooth enough yet. I may have to search for some SEM trim paint, the organisol doesn't look right, and neither did the other black i tried. I finished the silver today at least, after repairing a few small cracks and the previously mentioned hole, looks pretty good now, but we'll have to see it tomorrow in daylight. I'm tempted to break out the airbrush instead of relying on aerosol cans. Was the factory black a satin, flat or gloss black?

Are the inner silver areas (around the black plastic) painted the same color as the grille plastic surround? Seemed to be a little more silver colored than the grille paint that i got for it. Under flourescents they looked a little darker than it did the first coat in sunshine, we'll see. I can't see the contrast with the black until I remove the masking tomorrow.

LW

You can get the SEM trim black from eastwood:
http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=113&itemType=PRODUCT
All the silver areas are the same color

News:

TIME TO GRILLE