GMC Grille Resto 1981

[scenic760]

Hey all,

It looked like the 1981 GMC grille is a one off for that year and I didn't have much success finding a new/repro one so I decided to clean up what I had.

I had some missing fins so I laminated a few sheets of fiberglass to the correct thickness, cut/sanded them to size dimension and epoxied them in with the surfboard epoxy. The repair is super solid and sturdier than the surrounding material. Here is a link for the epoxy if anyone is interested. https://fiberglasssource.com/collec...ducts/apex-surfboard-epoxy-resin-3-gallon-kit

The other thing I did was take some steel wool and carnuba wax to rub down the metal tape parts which seemed to work well.
Many thanks to all the board members for helping me get the right colors! I used Argent Silver and the Chevy red/orange

 

[FireTruck1984]

Hey all,

It looked like the 1981 GMC grille is a one off for that year and I didn't have much success finding a new/repro one so I decided to clean up what I had.

I had some missing fins so I laminated a few sheets of fiberglass to the correct thickness, cut/sanded them to size dimension and epoxied them in with the surfboard epoxy. The repair is super solid and sturdier than the surrounding material. Here is a link for the epoxy if anyone is interested. https://fiberglasssource.com/collec...ducts/apex-surfboard-epoxy-resin-3-gallon-kit

The other thing I did was take some steel wool and carnuba wax to rub down the metal tape parts which seemed to work well.
Many thanks to all the board members for helping me get the right colors! I used Argent Silver and the Chevy red/orange

Great job ! Restored original parts are so much better than repops.

 

[Shorty81]

Hey all,

It looked like the 1981 GMC grille is a one off for that year and I didn't have much success finding a new/repro one so I decided to clean up what I had.

I had some missing fins so I laminated a few sheets of fiberglass to the correct thickness, cut/sanded them to size dimension and epoxied them in with the surfboard epoxy. The repair is super solid and sturdier than the surrounding material. Here is a link for the epoxy if anyone is interested. https://fiberglasssource.com/collec...ducts/apex-surfboard-epoxy-resin-3-gallon-kit

The other thing I did was take some steel wool and carnuba wax to rub down the metal tape parts which seemed to work well.
Many thanks to all the board members for helping me get the right colors! I used Argent Silver and the Chevy red/orange

Great job!!

 

[DoubleDingo]

You're tricking us right? That looks too danged good. Awesome fix!

 

[JamesSam]

Nice work. Very nice.

 

[scenic760]

Much appreciated all!

 

[Soundmound]

Nice dude! I restored my 84 grill instead of buying a repop and love it.

 

[scenic760]

Nice dude! I restored my 84 grill instead of buying a repop and love it.

Totally! I learned a lot about the materials going through the process...and found out I'm still a ****** painter, haha.

I tried to pour the paint in the emblem initially and let it level itself but I think the fact it came from a spray first caused some issues (bubbling)....I eventually masked/sprayed it

 

[84GMCSierra]

Nice dude! I restored my 84 grill instead of buying a repop and love it.

Can't buy the 83 or 84. Not made. Only available as NOS or pre-owned on eBay. Found an 81 on www.classicparts.com for $99.99 but out of stock

 

[mrdap]

Looks great
Well done!