Oven cleaner or no oven cleaner

f100matt · Post by **f100matt** » February 28, 2009, 11:19 pm

I am about to clean up the aluminum grill of the 66' and heard mixed reviews on using oven cleaner to strip the anodized coating off of the aluminum. Suggestions? Once its stripped what have you guys done to shine it back up and finaly should i put a clear coat back on?
thanks

DV65CustomCab · Post by **DV65CustomCab** » March 1, 2009, 8:05 am

My experience with trying to clearcoat these parts has not been good. I'm leaving mine plain. If the truck doesn't sit outside all the time and you keep after it, it's no big deal.

jakdad · Post by **jakdad** » March 1, 2009, 8:22 am

I always heard that oven cleaner was a no-no on aluminum.

6166 Junkyard Dog · Post by **6166 Junkyard Dog** » March 1, 2009, 8:58 am

theres a acid that truck stops use at the truck wash called alumimun brightner,, build a small vat out of wood with a liner set it in there for a little bit not too long cause it will eat the aluminum, then it will turn it milky white, then polish it back out you can keep it like that or put a protective coating cause if not will turn after awhile

Anthony · Post by **Anthony** » March 1, 2009, 9:24 am

O.K., since this thread is on the aluminum grills,I too have a question. I bought one off E-bay when I first got the 4x4 truck. It looked just as described and I put it up in the rafters of the garage for close to 2 years. When I got it back down it has what appears to "water" spots all over it that will not come off. I have tried and tried and have not been able to get them spots removed. I was thinking that mavbe whatever the seller cleaned it with was not completely rinsed off and the chemicals "etched" it. It is not usable as is and I was thinking a rubbing compound with a mild abrasive in it? will this work or can you guys give Matt and myself some good ideas on cleaning them from the vast knowledge tank here. I'll try to get a picture and post after the ice melts..Thanks for bringing this up Matt..I would really like to use my aluminum grill also......Anthony

6166 Junkyard Dog · Post by **6166 Junkyard Dog** » March 1, 2009, 9:55 am

until the annodizing comes off that Ford used only way to get it straighten out is to strip it,, whatever the PO Used like you said it etched into the aluminum through the coating ALSO To all others there is many annodizing places that can ruin your part and have only found one place that Ford used in Georgia in the 60's that has a certain process number,, many years ago found it for Rick @ C/C,, like some other places might comew close but also remember that the place has to be clean cause any trash gets into it ,its like painting with trash in the paint finish product turns into xxxx,, thats one problem Carpenters had with 78/79 grill turned to junk with trash in it,, also some process will dull the aluminum after doing hard work to get it to a high lustre

Slick Fan · Post by **Slick Fan** » March 1, 2009, 10:04 am

I read an article in some car magazine about this anodizing stripper from EASTWOOD. They said it worked pretty good. I haven't tried it myself, but for $20, it would be worth a shot.

Country · Post by **Country** » March 1, 2009, 10:58 am

I am currently completing a frame off restor on my 66 custom cab.
Two and half years into the project with about another four months to go. Every nut, bolt... you name it has been either replaced or rebuilt. I finally feel qualified to answer some of these questions..after going through some of the rebuild processes several times because of my screw ups.
So here you go...................

I have used Easy Off oven cleaner to strip the anodization off my aluminum trim and grill with no problems, this is a very and I stress very time consuming process to strip, sand and buff all of the parts. Take your time and be patient. Make sure to throughly clean your parts after each process. My trim has turned out fine. After hours of research and talking with people in the business I have decided not to clear coat, re-anodize or powder coat my trim. Truck sets in a garage and is under cover so that helps out alot. Honestly it will only be driven when the sun shines. So with that being said I did complete some test trim and let one half set outside and one half in the garage. Test was for about 6 months. The garage trim has not changed much at all. The trim setting outside under a tarp...i.e. truck cover dullled a little. I hit it with some Mothers polish cleaner and it brought the shine back. I suspect if you leave it to the elements then it will be a pain to keep shined.

Get you an old test piece and give it a go....good luck.

1966 Ford · Post by **1966 Ford** » March 1, 2009, 3:14 pm

I went to the grocery store and got a can of stuff called BRASSO that and a little elbow grease and the grill in my 66 looked good as new

Anthony · Post by **Anthony** » March 1, 2009, 10:56 pm

O.K. I got pics of my grill....any help is appreciated. I don't know what it was cleaned with. I have tried elbow grease and Mothers polish with the red power ball and nothing...thanks....Anthony.. [albumimg]5248[/albumimg]...[albumimg]5249[/albumimg]

f100jim · Post by **f100jim** » March 2, 2009, 11:34 am

Hey Anthony, looks like it's going to need stripping . I done a 65 with lye soap and water in a pit I made out of plastic , then buffed it out with a drill and small pad. It turned out nice. Like they said though it takes patiance.

64Ranger · Post by **64Ranger** » March 2, 2009, 10:36 pm

I had a local polish shop remove the old anodize and polish my aluminm\um grill. I then taped off the portion that I did not want black and had it powder coated black and then removed all the tape and had them powder coat clear over the whole grill. I used some very fine steel wool to dull up the black, because the clear was gloss and made it too shiny. I had this done over 3 years ago and it still looks a shiny as new.

http://fordtruk.com/forums/album_pic.ph ... user_id=51[

Slick Fan · Post by **Slick Fan** » March 3, 2009, 12:40 pm

64Ranger wrote:I had a local polish shop remove the old anodize and polish my aluminm\um grill. I then taped off the portion that I did not want black and had it powder coated black and then removed all the tape and had them powder coat clear over the whole grill. I used some very fine steel wool to dull up the black, because the clear was gloss and made it too shiny. I had this done over 3 years ago and it still looks a shiny as new.

http://fordtruk.com/forums/album_pic.ph ... user_id=51[

That's a good idea.

Whenever I think powdercoating, "clear" never comes to mind. So to me, that looks like you've found the perfect fix to the problem.

cosmo · Post by **cosmo** » March 3, 2009, 1:14 pm

I accidentally discovered how to get rid of the milky appearance of the anodizing, at least for a while.
I used new, un-used Mobil 1 motor oil (other oil may work) and and applied it *sparingly* with a rag, rubbing it into the metal.
The milkiness disappeared and the grill stayed shiny for 2-3 months (eventually comes off with rain/snow and needs to be re applied), but, not bad for free.
Poor man's clearcoat.
Cosmo

in2hotrods · Post by **in2hotrods** » March 3, 2009, 1:22 pm

cosmo wrote: Poor man's clearcoat.
Cosmo

Low buck solution...I like it!

vic vega · Post by **vic vega** » March 4, 2009, 9:19 pm

There are two things you can use to clean up aluminum nicely assuming there is not paint or grease on it.

One you can use the ETCHING version of Eagle aluminum wheel cleaner. This is a diluted version of tannic acid. It's in a pump bottle.

Two buy rust remover from Eastwood, it's the same stuff. This comes in a bucket and can be brushed on.

I use this on wheels, trim, intakes, valve covers and other engine parts. Works great.

Hope this helps.

VV

Anthony · Post by **Anthony** » March 5, 2009, 12:31 am

thanks .

.for the great info guys...It is great to have such great instant help in a box. (computer).....Anthony

Gritsngumbo · Post by **Gritsngumbo** » March 5, 2009, 9:11 am

64Ranger wrote:I had a local polish shop remove the old anodize and polish my aluminm\um grill.

Polish Shop? I don't think we have anything like that here in hooterville.
Any idea what other type of business would do the same kind of work?

Oven cleaner or no oven cleaner

Oven cleaner or no oven cleaner

Anthony

temporary solution

Re: temporary solution