Refurbishing a grille...with wood

[EastAustinSawdust]

My 78 had an original grille and emblem, and they were in rough shape. So I got a new grille and emblem (LMC). Only problem was that the aftermarket grille wasn’t designed to hold an emblem:

OEM grille:

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Aftermarket grille:

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Replacement emblem and original emblem:

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So I made an adapter using the materials and tools readily available to me. And that happened to be a scrap block of walnut and the woodshop in my carport.

The block was off some scrap from a friend’s cabinet shop. 8-4 walnut. Not too shabby for scrap wood.

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Reached the emblem and cut to shape. Not sure how, but this is evidently a comfortable position for my dog to lay in.

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The block needed to sit recessed in the grille, which meant cutting out detents for the plastic grates. Also cut holes to attach the emblem via those little thread cutting nuts.

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Ahh yes it fits perfect. Oh **** nevermind, the grille is upside down. Had to cut a few more dados in it to fit right side up.

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This is why I picked a really hard, dense wood. With some poly I hope that it can withstand the elements without warping/rotting. Worst case scenario I just make a new one.

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Fastened with a metal strap that I bent to fit the grate:

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There we go. Thought about sanding, finishing, and leaving as-is.

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Reattached metal trim with OEM thread cutting bolts, which I soaked in CLR overnight. Reattached grille. Looks good. The bumper guards are new too.

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Quarantine looks good on this old Bonanza.

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[idahovette]

Looks like you lost a little blood in the process! Use the WD40 on it.

 

[EastAustinSawdust]

When it comes to flesh wounds, it’s hard to beat WD40’s penetrating action. But for medical reasons I use 3 in 1 oil.


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[idahovette]

OK, first ,I spray with brake parts cleaner, then wipe, check damage then a blue towel ,then the WD40. Haven't tried the 3 in 1 yet!

 

[Snoots]

Blood and sweat. Only libertards have tears.

Great job! Looks great!

 

[bucket]

That's awesome! So for the price of a cheap grille, a block of wood and some of your time, you've got a grille that would have cost a bundle otherwise. You can't beat that with a stick.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Excellent work. I hear you on the positions dogs choose to lie in, sometimes it hurts just looking at them, but they like it so they lay in weird contorts.

 

[idahovette]

That's awesome! So for the price of a cheap grille, a block of wood and some of your time, you've got a grille that would have cost a bundle otherwise. You can't beat that with a stick.

He used the stick, Andy! Oh and Roger I've cried over my K20 a couple of times!!

 

[Snoots]

He used the stick, Andy! Oh and Roger I've cried over my K20 a couple of times!!

Calm down and have a drink.

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[idahovette]

Calm down and have a drink.

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"Oh, that's your answer for everything!!!"..... Where have you heard THAT before??!!

 

[80BrownK10]

My 78 had an original grille and emblem, and they were in rough shape. So I got a new grille and emblem (LMC). Only problem was that the aftermarket grille wasn’t designed to hold an emblem:

OEM grille:

You must be registered for see images attach

Aftermarket grille:

You must be registered for see images attach

Replacement emblem and original emblem:

You must be registered for see images attach

So I made an adapter using the materials and tools readily available to me. And that happened to be a scrap block of walnut and the woodshop in my carport.

The block was off some scrap from a friend’s cabinet shop. 8-4 walnut. Not too shabby for scrap wood.

You must be registered for see images attach

Reached the emblem and cut to shape. Not sure how, but this is evidently a comfortable position for my dog to lay in.

You must be registered for see images attach

The block needed to sit recessed in the grille, which meant cutting out detents for the plastic grates. Also cut holes to attach the emblem via those little thread cutting nuts.

You must be registered for see images attach

Ahh yes it fits perfect. Oh **** nevermind, the grille is upside down. Had to cut a few more dados in it to fit right side up.

You must be registered for see images attach

This is why I picked a really hard, dense wood. With some poly I hope that it can withstand the elements without warping/rotting. Worst case scenario I just make a new one.

You must be registered for see images attach

Fastened with a metal strap that I bent to fit the grate:

You must be registered for see images attach

There we go. Thought about sanding, finishing, and leaving as-is.

You must be registered for see images attach

Reattached metal trim with OEM thread cutting bolts, which I soaked in CLR overnight. Reattached grille. Looks good. The bumper guards are new too.

You must be registered for see images attach

Quarantine looks good on this old Bonanza.

You must be registered for see images attach

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hate to break it to you, walnut is not a very dense wood (when considering hard hardwoods)It's actually
pretty soft. If you don't believe me (as a Forester) just google the density and the hardness scale.

A white oak, or Hickory or hard maple would have been a better choice. But good work though. Dip it in plenty of protective coats and it should last.

 

[78C10BigTen]

Now thats a pretty pimpin idea right there!

 

[Snoots]

"Oh, that's your answer for everything!!!"..... Where have you heard THAT before??!!

You.

 

[idahovette]

You.

Oh, OK. ..................I got nothin