Thread: 40 Grill repair

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My 40 pickup grill has a break in the corner of the outer most rong/piece/vertical picket or what ever you'd call that part . It a peers to be some kind of "pot metal ", non magnetic and its not aluminum. Can this be welded with a tig ? Or whats the best way to fix it. I also want to be able to send it to the chrome shop. Thanks for the reply's.

I guess you could sand cast a new one.

You can also ask the chrome shop. They've probably seen what it takes to make that repair.

Originally Posted by 34_40

You can also ask the chrome shop. They've probably seen what it takes to make that repair.

Most chrome shops will tell you that they want to do any repair work to ensure that it's done to support their chroming process. Even things like filling holes in bumpers to remove bolts - they say that you may ruin the bumper if you do it wrong. I'd take or send it to the chrome shop you're going to use, or at least call them like Mike says. You might also compare the cost of repair & chroming to a re-pop grill from someone like Bob Drake?

I've not attempted that repair, and those that I've talked to who have haven't had a lot of success. That being said you could take a shot and see what happens. Problem(s) is, what have you got? Is it a factory original, an old Argentinian repop, a Drake repop, or what? If it's an original or a Drake it might be worth repairing. The others probably don't fit worth a damn, but since you've not had the vehicle together there's no way to know at this point. If you look on the backside the part numbers would be cast in ( 01A-8206/7) along with the Ford or Drake logo, the others, probably nothing resembling that info.

A couple decades ago I had some repair rod material I'd gotten from The Cecil Muggy Co. that did a nice job of repairing cast trim (similar to brazing). Don't know if that would work for what you've got, but it's something to research. Good replacements aren't cheap. Drake gets $700 for the complete assy with plated center piece, and unpainted side pieces, $800 for all three pieces plated. Your plater probably won't do the job for $100, if at all. To my knowledge Drake doesn't sell the pieces individually, but it wouldn't hurt to ask, they may have some oddments sitting around that they don't advertise. They're running a promo right now til mid June where they don't charge shipping on orders over $250 (BUT, you have to ask or they'll charge it.........yeah, annoying).

If you're patient and keep an eye on selling sources (ebay, etc.) unused ones will pop up from time to time where someone bought one and never installed it (make sure it's a Drake though). These typically end up selling in the $4-500 range for the unplated set. The last one I had on a Standard sedan I spent about an hour or so at the buffer (no sanding or grinding, just compound and the wheel) and got it to a near chrome like shine as the Drake casting is very good finish quality.

Unc,

The Drakester owes you for that last post. He does make good stuff.

Jack.

Yeah Jack...............I won't be holding my breath while waiting for my commission check.

On these grilles he really has done a very nice product.

If you were going to paint it, I've heard guys used JB weld or something similar and sand it to fit. Like Bob said, I haven't heard many great out comes trying to weld one up. You could always repair it with JB weld and then powder coat it chrome? IDK Good luck with it!

Ive used this product on horn rings, cast moldings, and other things that are made of pot metal. I have also had a few less than desirable attempts with it as well. The quality of the metal used in the castings seems to be a direct reflection on my success level using this stuff. If the grill is broken I dont think it would hurt it to try? It melts at a low temperature and acts much like silicon bronze or a viscous Brazing rod, or cold solder if that makes any sense?

Aladdin Welding Products