Grille polishing and finish

[Joshpow]

I plan to refinish the 69 grille for my truck. It is of course the polished aluminum one. I have a few scratches that will catch your fingernail. They are dark in the bottom of the scratch. I figure I will have to wet sand the scratches out. Do I need to sand the whole grille to keep the spots from showing? What grit paper would I need? How would I go about getting everything polished up nice and shiny after I get that done? I want chrome shiny. Also, after I get it polished, how do I protect it from the elements to keep it shiny? Is there a clearcoat I can spray on it or do I just have to polish it repeatedly? If you know what I can do, I'd greatly appreciate info on any of the above topics. If there is a way other than sanding to get the scratches smooth and not show up when finished, I'm open to that also. I've never refinished aluminum parts, so I am completely lost. HELP!!!! PLEASE!!!!!! Anyones' are greatly welcome.

[kaptnkaos]

Hey JoshPow...

Check the tech sheets for the write up on this...
The bright pieces are anodized aluminum.. you have to strip the anodization first then you can polish the aluminum and clear coat.

http://www.fordification.com/trim-polishing.htm

KaptnKA S

[Joshpow]

Thanks kaptnkaos. Looks like a long road ahead of me. I'll have to go looking for supplies soon.

[kaptnkaos]

Yeah...Josh...

I'm right there with ya..
I've got a couple I wanna do.
One is a nearly perfect '69 Ranger grille, the other is a decent '68 grille I picked up this weekend for $45.
It's a pretty good one...
There is a crease on the part that goes around the driver's side turn signal, but otherwise it's in really good shape.
I still haven't found that really nice... once in a life time deal, on a perfect '68 grille... nor have I found a really sweet steel one again.
I passed up a couple of them looking for a nice aluminum one...
For what a nice aluminum one is running, a guy could get a steel one chromed, and have a much nicer, tougher grille...
Good luck with yours...

KaptnKA S

[Joshpow]

Keep me posted with your progress.

[kaptnkaos]

Backatcha JoshPow ...

[sideoilerfe]

For what a nice aluminum one is running, a guy could get a steel one chromed, and have a much nicer, tougher grille...

Not exactly. I looked into that last year and was quoted $800 to chrome mine. I do agree though that the steel ones are a lot tougher and that chroming one would be awesome.