Author Topic: Opinions/Suggestions on my grille??  (Read 3838 times)

Offline highspeeddirt

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Opinions/Suggestions on my grille??
« on: May 14, 2006 - 01:14:29 PM »
 :feedback: I was packing up my grille today to store away protected, since it'll be a while before I'm ready for it, and noticed something I hadn't noticed before.  It has a couple pieces broke off.  I know some have restored their own grilles.  I don't have any idea how to do it yet, but I figured I'd tackle that fish when I got to it.   :clueless:  Anyway,  I need ya'lls expert opinions on what I should do about the missing pieces.  Are they so minute that it won't be noticed once its installed?  Or are they a major concern?  The whole grille seems very fragile (which I'm sure a lot are).  I know the cracks are minor compared to some I have seen.  But with all these factors considered, should I buckle down and just come to the sad truth that I'm gonna be out an arm or leg and have to buy another one?  :walkaway: Or is it in good enough condition for restoring that it is "no hill for a stepper"?  :bananasmi  Also, if anyone happens to have any pics of some before and after of their grilles, please post 'em.  And maybe a short description of how you did the restoration.

                                                           Thanks,
                                                                         HSD  :burnout:


Butte, MT

Mike




Offline ROMI

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Re: Opinions/Suggestions on my grille??
« Reply #1 on: May 14, 2006 - 02:32:43 PM »
I wouldn't hesitate to fix it. Two part epoxy will hold it better than new and you can grind it, sand, it, fill it, and paint it.  This is what epoxy can do.

Offline ROMI

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Re: Opinions/Suggestions on my grille??
« Reply #2 on: May 14, 2006 - 02:33:30 PM »
Finsihed product

Offline highspeeddirt

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Re: Opinions/Suggestions on my grille??
« Reply #3 on: May 15, 2006 - 11:40:17 AM »
Thanks ROMI.  That thing turned out nice.  How about anyone else?  Should I look for a parts grille for the broken pieces or will they be good and hidden once installed behind the bezels?


Butte, MT

Mike

Offline Bullitt-

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Re: Opinions/Suggestions on my grille??
« Reply #4 on: May 15, 2006 - 05:08:52 PM »
ROMI has the right idea. You should have no problem mending the cracks & re-creating small areas with epoxy. I use golf club epoxy available from many component dealers for cheap. For the larger areas you might want to look at fiberglass cloth for strength.  :bigshades:
Wade  73 Rallye 340..'77 Millennium Falcon...13 R/T Classic   Huntsville, AL
Screwed by Photobucket!

Offline falcon50flier

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Re: Opinions/Suggestions on my grille??
« Reply #5 on: May 20, 2006 - 10:59:26 AM »
You can also repair the grille with a product called Plastex. It is a powder plus liquid activator that bonds and makes high strength repairs on virtually any plastic and fiberglass. [It can also bond dissimilar materials.]

The product comes with a DVD/PC video disk that shows the various repair techniques and methods of applying Plastex.

To repair most of your type of damage, you tape up the repair area in position (I use aluminum tape), and build up the repair using a "dropper" technique, where a small glob of liquid plastic is created by dripping activator into a cup of powder, piercing it with the dropper, and placing it into/onto the repair crack by dispensing a little more activator to release the glob. You can build up voids and create new fully bonded plastic this way. To repair cracked areas that will fit together tighly, you grind a small valley on the hidden side and repair as above. You can gusset repairs with fiberglass cloth too. Missing pieces can be molded using a molding bar they provide, so pieces like tabs that break off can be reconstructed entirely.

The manufacturer is in Nevada, and sells a variety of kits. Powders are black, white and clear. I recommend a "master" kit, about $60 which comes with a little of each powder color, and enough of everything else to learn how to do a lot of different repairs.

I've repaired door panels (like the rear seat courtesy light grills that melt from the bulb), console parts, built an A pillar gauge pod, and many other plastic projects with this product.
70 Challenger convertible
518 cid Hemi, TF727, 3.73 Dana 60

Offline Topcat

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Re: Opinions/Suggestions on my grille??
« Reply #6 on: May 20, 2006 - 12:12:16 PM »
This what 4C recommended in a past thread. I saved it because I have a small area to fix also.

http://www.plast-aid.com/index.asp
Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline 70Cuda

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Re: Opinions/Suggestions on my grille??
« Reply #7 on: May 25, 2006 - 10:11:40 PM »
The 3M Automix 5883 was recommended to me by someone else in another post and I've been happy with it.

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=16388
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=17878.0

I used another two part SEM product on my 70 Cuda Grill and it kept cracking where as this one seems more durable.

Offline heminut

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Re: Opinions/Suggestions on my grille??
« Reply #8 on: May 26, 2006 - 01:43:57 PM »
I used another two part SEM product on my 70 Cuda Grill and it kept cracking where as this one seems more durable.

 :iagree: I used the SEM stuff and had the same problem. I would not recommend it to anyone!
1970 5.7 Hemi Cuda

Offline camjam

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Re: Opinions/Suggestions on my grille??
« Reply #9 on: May 26, 2006 - 09:45:26 PM »
I had my Charger grille repaired by a plastic/ vinyl repair company. It cost me about $80. They can be found at any new car dealer as they are always having to repair the plastic in new cars.
71 Challenger R/T 383 4spd - 1 of 10 known to have been built for canada - restored
70 Charger R/T SE 440 auto - restored


Offline Wang

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Re: Opinions/Suggestions on my grille??
« Reply #10 on: May 27, 2006 - 12:03:57 PM »
different types of plastics require different types of repair. Different repair compounds work better than others for certain repairs... AND REPAIR TECHNIQUE is KEY... I would have to write a 2 page reply on how to repair all the various types of plastics that you guys want to fix here on this sight.
75 % can be fixed,, however NOT ALL.  The hard plastic grille as described above for the Cuda (or 71 and later Chally) can be repaired with a rigid 2 part
epoxy offered by SEM, Crest, 3M.  Those are a few for starters. 

You do this type of repair like fiberglass repair on a vette. Start by V'ing out the crack , (or if you are forming a piece) V the leading edge of the existing
part followed by drilling several small 1/8 inch holes  surrounding the repair
(within 1/4 to 1/2 inch) These holes assure maximum adheasion of repair product to the existing part.  Your repair compound should be applied liberally to BOTH sides of the area.  Allow thorough cure. (this is key, if you try to work the repair before ample dry time ,, youll screw yourself).

After cure, sand like you would any typical autobody repair, and regular
bondo will work for small imperfection repair after the initial bonding procedure is completed. 

Prime,, scuff, and paint with whatever product matches your Grille application.
Hurry,, Duane the tub,,I'm Dwouning....

Offline 70Cuda

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Re: Opinions/Suggestions on my grille??
« Reply #11 on: May 29, 2006 - 02:59:59 PM »
Hey Wang, if there is more info, post it, that's what this site is all about.  I didn't think about the drilling technique but makes sense so what else do you have to share?

Thanks in advance.