Refinishing My F100's Grille BY HAND! Was it worth it?

[@alfatasteless]

Craig, not sure if you've ever seen this before, but I highly recommend polishing the faces of all your hammers and dollies. It will leave you a much nicer, smoother finish compared to rusty bumpy ones, and rusty or lightly crusted ones can leave weird marks of discoloration from the rust being hammered into the metal.

[@yeboscrebo4451]

Good point

[@Thecraig909]

I need to for sureeee!

[@jcnpresser]

Yeah, I saw a video that japhands customs did polishing his body hammers, it made a big difference on how your work turns out.

[@2ndborn186]

@@Thecraig909 surrrre

[@kevinwilliams1205]

“When it’s actually running right” how I feel every time I start mine 😂

[@stevensilver1014]

I like shinney chrome look ,but I do like the finish looks great. Yes I'm a Ford guy

[@jessegoldston70]

Yes indeed Awesome! Still waiting on the crew cab lol

[@rangeraficionado87]

Cans of 2K clearcoat are perfect for small projects like this where you don't wanna get the spray equipment out. They've changed my game. The high gloss is like a piece of glass when you're done. The flat/matte turns out fantastic too.

[@rezilientfabrication]

Have a link?

[@AnythingWeThinkOf]

+1 for 2K clear in a can. Excellent for small projects.

[@AnythingWeThinkOf]

@@rezilientfabrication Eastwood makes some. I've also ordered it on Amazon before.

[@rangeraficionado87]

@@AnythingWeThinkOf In my experience, nothing beats the Spraymax brand, though it depends on where you buy it. Apparently shops can buy the machine to fill the empty 2-part cans with their own product so quality could be hit or miss.

[@ericdanielson1138]

Looks great. For the Plastics use Brake Fluid DOT 3 is fine. If and or when you goto tig the grill use material from another grill from the same year I.E. cutting off wide slivers, removing the anodizing and use that as the filler it will match the metal better.

[@altonwren7890]

It looks great in my opinion when you take the original and make it look really great like you did more power to you it's something about it when you can take a old truck and use existing parts you done something but I understand there's a point where it's just too badly gone to be repaired but your hard work paid off

[@gcw02a]

i did the same. Mothers aluminum polish paste in the white can and the mothers polishing ball will take out the sanding scratches to a nice shine

[@TheLonelyCowboy1958]

Where mustache? Anywy, great job on the grille!

[@flipflopsgarage]

I did the same thing on my 68 and it will look like hell in no time if you don’t find a way to seal it. I’m going to redo mine this spring when I paint it and may play with a clear coat to seal it.

[@HammerPowered]

The old oven cleaner and saran wrap trick! I've used that to strip anodizing off of parts before.

[@ShoGuygames]

Man Craig you really keep me pushing on work to get my 70 F100 done. So much left to do on it that its hard to see the forest for the trees.... But little by little getting there.

[@davidcatlette9697]

There is a tool that snaps into the spray can think you can get it a HF fits just right into a can of krylon & rustoleum !

[@nicholasbarr3731]

Can’t wait to do this to mine

[@Paul-666]

Awesome work on the grille... It looks brilliant

[@mrmongo6722]

It’s those little details that make the old hooptie look so much better.

[@ronaldhellengreen7063]

It truly is amazing what some good old elbow grease will do. Great job bro!

[@gthompson8464]

Try a air cleaner waterproof sock for the fox

[@raneman7415]

Well done Craig!

[@explanger527]

Definitely worth it! I'll be doing this on my 76 build for sure. Thanks for putting this out. The time into a "simple" project is always mind wracking, but when it's done, it's worth every second. Good work brother.

[@scottburns4515]

Oven cleaner works pretty good but powdered lye and water mix works really good. Just have to becarefull with it. I've done the same process on my 74 but polished it. Definitely worth polishing but that's the look I was after. I've easily got 14hrs in mine as well so I wasnt surprised at all to here that. Can't wait to see it back on the road.

[@possumwerx]

Yeah be really careful with it. Lye can blind you and really burn your skin!

[@markstangsn9518]

Looks good 👍🏻

[@freddietee1225]

NICE job,good metal finishing info. I use to do metal-finishing on stainless restaurant equipment like up-drafts and sinks, and we used a "3M RED-WHEEL" 6 or 5-inch/1-inch wide on a die-grinder,in the late 80's, IRONWORKS

[@maxnichols1727]

Doing a great job on the aluminum trim. I was talked into helping polish out all the trim on 57 Chevy Nomad. It was a royal PIA, but it was beautiful. I have used Sharkhide and Eastwood Diamond Clear as a protective coating for years with great success. Oh yes, clean your dollies and hammers. 👍👍👍

[@danievanzyl4352]

I like your F 100 what a sweet ride.

[@jamesbigham9036]

I always look forward to your videos you are good at what you do. In my opinion the grill looks really nice your attention to detail is amazing I am looking forward to your next video

[@frankm8533]

Nice job on the grille I love watching that kinda work

[@keithhughes2936]

Probably could come back over it with a satin clear and keep it from staining. With the satin clear it won't be real shiny but should replicate the brush look

[@andrewforster4974]

Hello from Canada Craig I have been working on my 1971 ford f100 sport custom for 10 years and have only come across 1 used pair grill insert in that time you just don't find these truck up here much

[@t-rodzgarage]

Looks great! Did the same thing to my 70 back over the summer. A lotta work for sure.

[@cobyfield9237]

Sounds like you've got a few old but gold tools that you've come across through the years, tool box tour at some point?

[@ifirefight1]

I did this to all the side trim on my 71 Sport Custom. It took well over 100 hours. I polished it also. Looks better than new.

[@GiletheCarGuy]

I dig the finish. No easy roads to a killer finish on this kind of stuff and body work. The time put into each step pays greatly in the end.

[@joshburrus7947]

Great video. I have a 70 f100 that my great grandfather bought brand new in 70 and I got it in 03 for my first truck. My grill needs some major tlc and since it’s been in my family for 53 years I would rather repair and fix what I have rather that buy a new one for $700+. Thanks for the info.

[@nathanthompson9368]

Damn dude you did a HELL of a job on that grill. Good job!!

[@tinysupreme6417]

I need to get one of those PB Blaster shirts lol.

[@stejoh_]

I always use spraycans with my thumb. My dad who used to have a pantshop to. Alot nicer in my opinion, easier to keep your movement in the wrist. The same as holding a paintgun kind of.

[@bensymington5550]

Love your videos content is excellent❤

[@FetchinFords]

This was awesome! I knew I wanted to redo mine but didn’t think polished would look good on the patina. And I hated the faded factory haze finish it has.

[@donusmc1]

Thank you for sharing this video! That brushed looks sick. Way better than a mirror finish. I’ve been kicking around the idea of doing something similar but wasn’t sure how it would look. Definitely going to try this on my grill this winter while my truck is in pieces anyway.

[@That_rottenguy]

Another way to heat the paint is you can put the can in a coffee can of really hot water if you don’t have a heater or a way to heat it.

[@tommyjefferson9525]

Dude great job on the grill love the Channel so keep on keeping on

[@daisbestDA9]

That VHT chassis/roll bar paint is by far the best aerosol paint I've ever used, I painted my obs ford frame with it and it went on so freaking nice, and it sprays damn good !

[@jasonmyers3847]

Good! Now you can take the time for paint and body work on that killa truck.

[@granthudson5254]

Awesome video and Awesome Truck!!!! Watching from Texas. Thanks

[@brandonswepston1745]

Looks awesome! Tedious work but I like it. May try something similar on the grill of my 86 F150🤔

[@cobyfield9237]

Went from stained/filthy looking to clean and nice without actually going away from what makes your truck look cool! That's a job well done! I don't think having it re-anodised would look as good either haha

[@patrickhevener2204]

Wow liked how it turned out! cool idea.

[@bobmanzi7712]

you call the truck a turd, but you know that it is bad ass. great stuff thanks.love the truck.

[@Hooks94.2]

I use a tool bag. Il get a box eventually but the vehicle I'm working on now only uses 4-5 sizes. Trying to get body work done now.

[@irishman63lemans73]

Excellent work. I'll remember the tips when I tackle the grill on my 63 LeMans....in the distant future 🙂. Shop is looking good.

[@christophertaylor2464]

Thank you for the information and video on how to make your grill look better. I have a 1970 f 100 Short bed and the grill is in real bad shape. The price of a new grill was 300 dollars and that was some years ago I am sure the price has gone up. GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL WHO READ THIS AMEN. Happy New year

[@possumwerx]

You can get your grille for that 70 Ford new. There's a place in South Carolina that makes new ones. Dennis Carpenter. Find them on the web. They have lots of parts.

[@keithwallington4966]

when you have finished spray matt clear cote over it that will save you lots of time no having to keep sanding it you can find a handle for spray tins much better

[@Celician83]

Did something very similar to the copper tanks on the radiator of my 1993 Toyota Celica, turned out awesome 👍

[@Bigfreeb]

Sem 39143 Trim black is the best I have tried so far.

[@orionfixr7713]

Spicey ! A for sure act of love ,

[@marcuscrookshanks7902]

Awesome video oh, I've actually been wanting to do this very same thing to my grill on my 71. I painted the grill inserts and the headlight trim several years ago and that needs re-done as well

[@_DTinez]

Love the work Craig , another tip when using scotchbrite , you should try dish soap , works really good as well. but love the content, keep bringing the great vids

[@deankeeler9395]

That was cool to see some hammer and dolly work.👍🏼 an up close time lapse would be awsome.

[@tjudge2963]

sweet that all folks nice job buddy

[@jordansmith6758]

My back hurts just watching this lol

[@davidvaughn7778]

I had a 1970 Ranger in high school. I couldn't afford to keep up with everything it needed and had to sell it. I really wish I had never had to do that. I've been looking for another bump side, but around here, they are either too far gone or really nice. One day, maybe I can get ahold of another without paying too much. Mine was a 302, 3 on the tree. The column shift was completely worn out and sometimes would get stuck between 1st and 2nd, and the steering box was adjusted as tight as possible and still had 180⁰ of play. What a death trap.

[@possumwerx]

Sounds to me like you had a buncha worn out parts. You probably had shot cab mounts. Probably had a wasted steering coupler at the end of the column. People call it the rag joint. Probably had worn parts in the steering linkages and also bad kingpins. Oh yeah, there is no adjustment on the gearbox. That screw and lock nut is how the factory set the tension for the worm and gear inside the box. If you crank it down then you'll kill the box so don't do it. When you have slop at the steering wheel you start with looking at the rag joint and the cab mounts first. Then you check the king pins and every part in the steering system working backward until you get to the steering gearbox. On trucks it's normal to find all the parts worn out and sometimes the steering gearbox is ok. Also check the frame at the box for cracked frame or rust out. The thing about old trucks is they almost always need a total overhaul of the suspension and most of the steering parts like king pins and ball joints. Be honest with yourself and check everything then spend the dollars needed to get new parts and put them in. Don't assume anything is good or bad. Find out with each part do you know!

[@davidvaughn7778]

@Possumwerx it's quite possible EVERYTHING was worn out. That was 1995 or so, and I was 16. I'm almost 46 now. I truly wish I still had that truck. I plan on buying another if I can find one that's not too far gone. That truck taught me a lot of things!

[@possumwerx]

They are out there, rust buckets to total restorations ready to go. You might have to drive a long ways to get one. Or fly! Figure out exactly what you want for engine and options then get to know the market across the states while you save. Jump on one when you can get it because they can go fast. Hope you get your truck!

[@DrakesRodShop]

Good video can't wait to see more I gotta do the same thing to my 1972 f100 I like the brush look way more than I thought I was going to I kinda wanna do the chrome on mine

[@2koolchris291]

So I am soon gonna have my new daily on the road. 500 dollar 09 Pontiac g6 gt. And when that happens I’ll be starting the body work on my multi colored 1993 f150 that is my pride and joy. I want to repaint it in an original styling of red and white. But I might go a little bit different to add style. The tips and trick really help. Hopefully it’ll look good.

[@jessethompson1545]

Looks good Craig

[@DeMechanieker]

Love the finnish on the grill. My 74 grill is way worse but after seeing this i got to give it a go! Hope the oven cleaner is the same in the netherlands!

[@Pushrod_Criff]

Think I’m gonna give that a shot on the trim when I repaint my Capri. Mine is Satin black and brushed trim would look incredible against the black.

[@jns66jns]

I Spray paint with my thumb too! Everyone always tells me its weird and I've never seen anyone else do it lol I swear I have way more control that way

[@marcusmaddenov2451]

Looks good.

[@chasingcloudsandflavorrevi9817]

It's been about a week since I found your Channel and I'm very happy that I did but I got to say I miss the handlebar mustache 😂

[@66reaperecho92]

The grill came out great brother. Just a thought though, you think that the plastic painted inserts would match the build a little better if they were in a mat finish?. Regardless….amazing job!!.

[@craigbowley6783]

That came out nice 👍

[@ForsakenSteel]

Small details make a huge difference. I believe this was time well spent.

[@joshwinters7290]

Good job "Stupid"!😄 That grill looks awesome, and can't wait to see it back on the truck.

[@rolynbarksdale7954]

You did! Amazing job! That looks better than factory

[@aftermathwhite4955]

Great job.

[@tahirusman5929]

Good work on that.Maybe use some polishing paste on it…..

[@robertjean659]

Probably need to seal it otherwise it will dull down. 🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@kylecser7618]

Loved watching this !!

[@4ndy530]

The Grille looks good mate! Its soooo smooth you'll be able to wipe the engine oil and coolant off easily next time she blows up! 🤣👌👍

[@63MercComet]

You can come do the Comet next. Thanks.

[@Blackinterceptor999]

To everybody else watching that wants to go to a polished look, use the red scotch pad soaked with WD40 and rub in a STRAIGHT motion...the polished color of the aluminum will start to pop out, finish with an aluminum polish like Mothers for example, I used that brand of aluminum polish personally, I like it.

[@stevensilver1014]

I know a few people that use their thumb to paint .

[@sykwookiee]

Bro, nice work...

[@gregoriodiaz5923]

Wow!

[@kart1241]

Once the f100 is back on the road, an airbox for the fox is in order!

[@jackholeracer2320]

Do all that work and don't remove and detail the headlight buckets?

[@marksearcy9708]

Looks great did you or are you going to use a matte clear coat on it?

[@ClayBonics]

Like the grill

[@Mojo-65]

Damn wanna do my grill next ? Lol that looks sweet awesome job might have to try that sometime thanks for the idea

[@phrodendekia]

Do an 8 to 1 exhaust headers

[@Heatshieldproducts]

We need to get you a box of gloves.

[@xJackHunter]

looks awesome man!

[@dirtbikexguitars]

Yay

[@jameshall4385]

That s alot of work but looks great

[@P_dum21]

Welcome to telashi 6 Craig 😊

[@kdubw900l]

Where did you get those headlights at?

[@glennramsey917]

What pistons are you going back with ???

[@derekfetzer6294]

Hate to ask you this, but what size tires are you running on the f100?

[@charlesmusgrove9957]

What happened to the stash?