Best way clean/polish this Grille?

RTR

Well-known Member
Anyone have good tips on the best way to clean and polish this 1960s IH truck grille ? I want to hang it on the wall in my new sons room, and fashion a mock truck front end out of wood around it. I ll even add some lights (low wattage of course).
mvphoto43288.jpg
 

It is hard to tell from the pic but it appears to have rust. If so, phosphoric acid treatment would turn the rust black which would look a lot better in my opinion.
 

What is it made of? Looks like alumninum to me. Are you saying that could be a rust stain?
 
(quoted from post at 06:13:18 09/30/19)
What is it made of? Looks like alumninum to me. Are you saying that could be a rust stain?

I was saying that the pic is not clear so I couldn't tell. If it is Al it could still have plenty of rust staining on it. Use vinegar.
 
(quoted from post at 21:30:59 09/30/19)
(quoted from post at 06:13:18 09/30/19)
What is it made of? Looks like alumninum to me. Are you saying that could be a rust stain?

I was saying that the pic is not clear so I couldn't tell. If it is Al it could still have plenty of rust staining on it. Use vinegar.

You think it would look good/better sprayed gloss black hanging on the wall?
 
(quoted from post at 10:04:35 09/30/19)
(quoted from post at 21:30:59 09/30/19)
(quoted from post at 06:13:18 09/30/19)
What is it made of? Looks like alumninum to me. Are you saying that could be a rust stain?

I was saying that the pic is not clear so I couldn't tell. If it is Al it could still have plenty of rust staining on it. Use vinegar.

You think it would look good/better sprayed gloss black hanging on the wall?

If it is Aluminum I would clean the rust off with vinegar or phosphoric acid delimer. Many years ago I had a car with rust on the grill and I painted it flat black.
 
That is an aluminum grille. Looks pretty good for 50+ years, I would polish it. Walmart has some good choices for rubbing compound, hand rubbing would not take long.
 
(quoted from post at 23:28:44 10/24/19) I would use a aluminum polish from Walmart and a scotch bright pad.


Barwinn, RTR probably wants it shiny scotch brite will remove the rust but will dull the finish.
 

Those grills were never bright and shiny, not even when brand new. I don't think they were even chrome plated. Just clean it up with some #4 steel wool and paint it silver.
 
I know this is an old post,but you should try OOOO steel wool. You can polish aluminum wheels with it,and they
will look new.
 
(quoted from post at 06:19:57 10/27/19) I know this is an old post,but you should try OOOO steel wool. You can polish aluminum wheels with it,and they
will look new.

Thank you all! When the tone comes I think I will clean it up with some steel wool like you all said and then I ll go from there. Is there a good way to preserve the finish I get? Should I spray clear Over it ?
 
(quoted from post at 09:22:16 10/27/19)
(quoted from post at 06:19:57 10/27/19) I know this is an old post,but you should try OOOO steel wool. You can polish aluminum wheels with it,and they
will look new.

Thank you all! When the tone comes I think I will clean it up with some steel wool like you all said and then I ll go from there. Is there a good way to preserve the finish I get? Should I spray clear Over it ?

Hey RTR, after all this debate we are wondering whether it is aluminum or steel.
 

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