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Classic Cadillac Grilles Bullet and Blades

1959 and 1960 Cadillac Eldorado Grilles Bullets and Blades.

How Do I Clean My Front Grille On My Car And Make The Shine Last?

This is one of the most frequent questions that I am asked by classic Cadillac owners. The front grille and bullets are made of aluminum and are anodized giving the bullets their luster and shine.  Repeated cleaning and washing with strong solutions wears away the shine from the bullets, blades and bars.  Cleaning the bullets this way is a temporary shine that will only last a few days and the continuing oxidation returns it to the dull finish.  Classic car owners and restoration shops have tried to remedy the problem by spray painting the grilles with a silver paint.  This will solve the luster problem, however, cheapens the appearance of the fine workmanship that Cadillac had originally done. The true restoration of restoring the luster back is the original anodizing plating process.  The only way this process can be done to perfection is a complete disassembly of each vertical/horizontal bullet and blade.  Each and every component part must be stripped and the old chemical anodizing removed.  The components are then sanded and polished in preparation of re-anodizing.  Once the anodizing has been completed, it is now time to reassemble the components. There are very few restorers willing to take on this challenge.  It is a costly and expensive process. I have been restoring these grilles for over 20 years.  I have been recommended by other anodize plating companies that are prepared to do the work, however, will not disassemble and reassemble the grilles once the pieces have been re-anodized.  They refer their customers to me. I enjoy the challenge and love the finished product. Stainless steel grilles also require disassembly and process to bring the luster back - Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Chevrolet - more on that subject soon. Let me be of help to you with your next Grille and Bullet problem.

Frank Nicodemus, Sr.