Just wondering if anyone's ever attempted anything like this? I remember an article in an old GSX-tra where someone did it...I suppose I could dig through the archives and try to find it.... I just picked up a set at a swap meet yesterday and while they aren't that bad, the pair will definitely need to be gone through. Is there any way to replace the missing plastic tabs?? Any tips or suggestions (as well as pics) would be greatly appreciated. Once I finish, I plan on either offering them here or eBaying them...not quite sure yet...see pics below... Driver's side plastic grill insert...
Fiberglass inserts (both sides). This (resto) was done in the GSX-tra article I mentioned above.... Of course, any new and easier ( :Brow: ) way would be appreciated... Thanks in advance! :TU:
Scoops and seal plates can be bought new at www.postonbuick.com As for the broken grill stud, I would mount it in the scoop and see if you can use an adhesive. I use the roof and flashing sealer from Home Depot to try something like this. It is polyurethane and black. It comes in a caulking tube. I would but a lil dab around the broken stud and place it in the scoop. Should adhere very well.
Brett, A few thoughts on the broken stud. You might be able to find someone who could plastic weld a small piece of rod stock onto grille. another idea might be to try to heat stake a screw stud into the grille. Maybe you could even solvent weld it? I haven't tried either any of these,but I have seen plastic welding done before were I used to work. Always check plastic types before using any solvent or adhesives. I think the grilles are probably ABS. Bill
Brett, here is what I did for one of the original grilles in my stage 1 and it has held for 10 years now. Don't laugh. You know when you buy one fo those model airplane or car kits how the plastic parts come on a 'stem"? Cut that stem to the right length, plus about 1/8". Now get your trusty weller soldering iron, and use the flat tip (the one used for sealing plastic bags, etc). lay your insert out upside down in something sturdy. Then you simply get the soldering iron hot, put the stem on it until the end starts to roll up as you push down, then quickly add it to the insert. It will melt the insert slightly and once it cools it is very solid. Practise first on some scrpa plastic. Also keep in mind its the turning action of the nuts that generally rip out glued or otherwise attached pieces. Run the nut down on the stem severl times BEFORE you attach it, that way once installed the only load is pulling, not twisting. You'll love painitng those things, what a PITA!! There is a nice shot of the hood scoops here: http://members.shaw.ca/timcr/164.html You can ignore the rest of the info on this page (its just used to show friends stuff). later Tim
I'm about to give this a whirl today..... What's the correct color to paint these grilles and more importantly, how would I go about stripping them??? Thanks!
I had someone tell me that oven cleaner is good for getting paint off plastic parts? Also i believe grille part should be flat black and ridges and edges silver. ProbaBLY THE SAME PAINTS THEY USED ON THE FRONT GRILLE. i WOULD JUST CLEAN THEM GOOD AND PIANT OVER OLD PAINT. Sorry caps stuck on.
Brett- go to your local hobby shop and get a Testors paint pen in silver. Its kinda like a magic marker, but with silver paint. Makes it alot easier. Lay off the coffee prior to doing it! Dont want a case of the "shakes" lol. I painted my grills a semi flat black. I think I used regular old Krylon.
So...we have oven cleaner to remove the paint and then Krylon and a Testor's Paint Pen.... Thank you gentlemen!! How do I go about applying the oven cleaner? What do I do, wipe it off?? Is it THAT easy??
Oven cleaner is an old trick I used to do to remove paint on model cars. Its a little messy. Youll see the paint start to bubble. make sure the oven cleaner isnt going to react with the plastic. It didnt on my model cars. If the paint is real thick, try putting some saran wrap on the oven cleaner. It prevents it fron drying out to remove thick applications of paint. Lets see how many kitchen/household products we can come up with for restos ...lol Is the paint on the grills real thick? If its not too thick and its not obsuring the sharp lines of the grill, I would just give them a light coat of fresh paint and be done with it.
Jason, I'll post some pics when I get home (I'm at work) and you can see what I'm dealing with... Honestly, I don't think the paint is too thick....
