Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: Wattalife54 on August 18, 2012, 11:34:20 am

Title: Waaay too much time on my hands
Post by: Wattalife54 on August 18, 2012, 11:34:20 am
We will be taking the coach to Xtreme in November to have upgrades and painting done. I noticed that the paint on the radiator grill was showing signs of corrosion. I decided to remove the grill and strip the paint as this would have to be done prior to painting anyway. Most of the corrosion was located in the areas of the pop rivet connections. Our grill was assembled utilizing stainless steel rivits. The difference in the two metals was apparently causing galvanic corrosion. Once I had the grill disassembled I decided to try polishing the aluminum to a brushed finish. It seems to add a touch of class without being gaudy. The vertical supports were cleaned, painted with Por15 Self Etching Primer and top coated with Rustoleum spray bed liner. The grill was reassembled utilizing aluminum rivets with a corrosion resistant steel mandrel. I installed the grill utilizing 1/4-20 allen head bolts that were run into threaded blocks on the back side
Title: Re: Waaay too much time on my hands
Post by: Don & Tys on August 18, 2012, 11:43:05 am
Very nice! I have been planning to do something very similar as the paint on our grills (including the rear hatch) is starting to flake. I was thinking I would prefer the bare metal look, but as you say it would need to be stripped even if it was to be repainted.
Don
Title: Re: Waaay too much time on my hands
Post by: Raymond Jordan on August 18, 2012, 12:16:05 pm
Hi Bob,
  Real nice job!
Raymond
Title: Re: Waaay too much time on my hands
Post by: Wattalife54 on August 18, 2012, 12:51:13 pm
My next project is to do the rear and a/c condenser vents.
Title: Re: Waaay too much time on my hands
Post by: Don & Tys on August 18, 2012, 01:13:03 pm
Awesome! Can't wait to see the pics... Maybe when you get done you take a few longer shots so I can see what the rear and one of the sides looks like from a ways back to put it in context. ^.^d
Don
My next project is to do the rear and a/c condenser vents.
Title: Re: Waaay too much time on my hands
Post by: Peter & Beth on August 18, 2012, 07:48:44 pm
My next project is to do the rear and a/c condenser vents.
I took the lazy man's way out.  I had Xtreme do all three grills this past June.  I had them reinstall the grills using Tinnerman clips & SS screws.
Peter
Title: Re: Waaay too much time on my hands
Post by: Mitch Sayer on August 18, 2012, 08:11:55 pm
Beautiful job, I had my white grilles stripped and powder coated this spring. Sure looks a whole lot nicer.

Thanks, Mitch