Grille repair

[ian theobald]

I currently have my grille shell being repaired as developed a crack across the bottom. The local engineering firm have silver soldered but as yet have not seen the finished result but was advised that finish was good but workshop wanted to try and achieve an even better result .While there got them to solder the lugs attaching grille slats as 3 of them were dislodged guessing why shell eventually cracked.
The chrome finish was reasonable and shell has no dents so will see what end result is when asembled. being down the bottom wont be so noticeable
There is only so long that you can drive with rag or cardboard jammed in between to stop the thing rattling.
With the slats out have applied paint stripper to remove old paint and then dressed up with my small ryobi engraving tool with various wire attachements as slats are very delicate when unbolted from grille shell but seems only one slat is broken and that is one of the centre ones. That one had a large washer over where it joined with opposite slat.

Has any one got ideas as to what paint to finish. It seems had grey primer under coat and unknown top coat that had faded to a blueish colour but at the rear had traces of red paint.
I was thinking of using an enamel one coat epoxy from a rattle can and have had exellent results with one brand but is more expensive.It,s semi gloss finish is more like a full gloss.and full gloss is just that.
I also have a full can of Acrylic lacquer that was used for my 1928 BSA 2 stroke. It is an Australian Standard colour [Holly] that got made at a local auto store and almosts matches the paint hidden under grille shell where the sun dont shine. Also similar colour to my seats [vinyl]
The backs of the slats are bit ordinary so was thinking the enamel would be better as the paint is also a rust preventative type.
Any tips would be appreciated as to what was original? Gloss/semi gloss ,colour and paint
Polishing grill bars would be a chore so would think enamel is the way to go.

While grille was removed I have cleaned and sprayed radiator insitu with most attention to top header tank as that is what can be seen under bonnet but the rest was ok as in the past someone has done some work to the car.
My car is a fully road going car so is a case of preservation but when ever I get the chance like to tidy up small individual items .It never ceases to amaze me how many people come up and ask is the car original.
I believe was restored many years ago so if any Aussie members know of it would like to hear as it has some interesting modifications
The one item I would really like to get are the original 8 inch reflectors and glass as my lights are 7 inch glass and reflector with plug in globe but so far have only seen the glass lens for sale but maybe need to look harder but guess would be expensive too..Any way will post some pictures once Grille back and fitted. Ian Theobald

[ian fletcher]

Hi Ian, yes the slats removed from the shell are very fragile! While repairing mine I made up brackets to hold the two outer slats firmly in place. I decided against paint because of the vulnerability to stone chips and the difficulty of re spraying in situ. Once repaired I had them 'gently' shot blasted and powder coated to match the red of the upholstery. Cheers Ian

[ian theobald]

Hi Ian ,attached are some pictures of progress.Shame that there is a visible crack but to have grille rechromed and polished would cost Aus $500 and the rest of it has a resonable finish. The money would be better spent on a nice drivers side mirror that is missing or replacing/repairing drivers side rear leaking shock absorber.
My TC is only one of my hobbbies so think will have to put up with the blemish.
The rest of the grille had some blue discoloration wher lugs were soldered but have almost polished out
Apart from my 3 vintage motor bikes I am mid way through repairing an old wooden Trailer sailer that has some wood rot on deck and am also saving up to drive to the red centre in a few months time before it gets to hot.Cheers Ian

[stephen stierman]

Ian, I used basic rattle can enamel to spray mine to match the interior and this worked out just fine.

[ian theobald]

My car is now back on the road with freshly painted grille. Not much can be done about crack at bottom but all soldered up and with freshly painted bars is not to noticeable. The blue from heat has all polished out.
Not sure if radiator is a later type as holes in top of grille dont match with holes in top bracket each side of centre. Radiator has no drain tap so suspect is a later or aftermarket one fitted at some stage
disapointed that went to a lot of trouble to paint radiator only to find that on opening bonnets the underneath lip just scrapes on top of radiator taking away paint in a neat line each side so might have to place extra packing on fitting that fits over bonnet centre hinge.
I had to enlarge all the holes on grille bar frame as went to reasemble but holes would not line up with newly soldered lugs [original ones that had come adrift ]
The 2 centre bars I had to rivet to frame as bloke forgot to solder missing top one and bottom one got covered i n silver solder so have ground down smooth.
Great to have all back together again .Ian