Front Grill

B

bartz paul

New member
Dec 3, 1997
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Last Saturday evening about dark, an Owl flew into the grill of my coach
as I was traveling up Hwy 41, just S of Fon du Lac WI to attend the EAA
AirVenture (note they no longer call it the FlyIn). It hit the lower
edge of the grill, breaking a foot long piece out of the bottom bar
(which came to rest against the A/C condenser, so I didn't lose it).

I pulled over to the side of the road and found it still embedded,
looking akin to cattle horns adorning the front end. About twenty miles
up the road as I was approaching Whitman Field and exiting Hwy 41, when
I neared a stop sign, the Owl decided to fly away. Saved me the time
and effort of disposal.

Fortunately, the insurance company will cover the repair (replacement)
cost.

Now all I have to do is obtain a new grill. As the original grill is
made of plastic, it is susceptible to cracking, particularly in the area
where the attachment studs thread into the back side.

There are replacement fiberglass grills available from some of the
established GMC Motorhome service merchants. I know of one individual
who obtained a fiberglass one from Clasco when they were in business and
sent it back because it didn't fit right.

Anyone have any experience with replacement of an original style grill
constructed out of fiberglass and a recommended source? Are there any
alternative type grills or designs you can suggest? Any opinion pro or
con on fiberglass vs. fiberglass construction of the grills vs.
longevity?

Paul Bartz

P. S. Saw many GMC's at the EAA campground (Camp Scholer). A number
evidently had leaky air suspension systems, because they were squatting
in the rear.

Did anyone happen to be there with their GMC during the time I was there
(i. e. this past Sat evening until Mon early evening)?
 
Got in Wed. a.m. Left Sun. a.m., Last Count 31 GMC's .
mrounds

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bartz, Paul [SMTP:s9d3452]
> Sent: Friday, August 07, 1998 2:18 PM
> To: 'gmcmotorhome'
> Subject: GMC: Front Grill
>
> Last Saturday evening about dark, an Owl flew into the grill of my coach
> as I was traveling up Hwy 41, just S of Fon du Lac WI to attend the EAA
> AirVenture (note they no longer call it the FlyIn). It hit the lower
> edge of the grill, breaking a foot long piece out of the bottom bar
> (which came to rest against the A/C condenser, so I didn't lose it).
>
> I pulled over to the side of the road and found it still embedded,
> looking akin to cattle horns adorning the front end. About twenty miles
> up the road as I was approaching Whitman Field and exiting Hwy 41, when
> I neared a stop sign, the Owl decided to fly away. Saved me the time
> and effort of disposal.
>
> Fortunately, the insurance company will cover the repair (replacement)
> cost.
>
> Now all I have to do is obtain a new grill. As the original grill is
> made of plastic, it is susceptible to cracking, particularly in the area
> where the attachment studs thread into the back side.
>
> There are replacement fiberglass grills available from some of the
> established GMC Motorhome service merchants. I know of one individual
> who obtained a fiberglass one from Clasco when they were in business and
> sent it back because it didn't fit right.
>
> Anyone have any experience with replacement of an original style grill
> constructed out of fiberglass and a recommended source? Are there any
> alternative type grills or designs you can suggest? Any opinion pro or
> con on fiberglass vs. fiberglass construction of the grills vs.
> longevity?
>
> Paul Bartz
>
> P. S. Saw many GMC's at the EAA campground (Camp Scholer). A number
> evidently had leaky air suspension systems, because they were squatting
> in the rear.
>
> Did anyone happen to be there with their GMC during the time I was there
> (i. e. this past Sat evening until Mon early evening)?
 
>
> Last Saturday evening about dark, an Owl flew into the grill of my
> coach as I was traveling up Hwy 41, just S of Fon du Lac WI to attend
> the EAA AirVenture (note they no longer call it the FlyIn). It hit
> the lower edge of the grill, breaking a foot long piece out of the
> bottom bar (which came to rest against the A/C condenser, so I didn't
> lose it).

> P. S. Saw many GMC's at the EAA campground (Camp Scholer). A number
> evidently had leaky air suspension systems, because they were
> squatting in the rear.
>
> Did anyone happen to be there with their GMC during the time I was
> there (i. e. this past Sat evening until Mon early evening)?

Wasn't there, but wish I had been. Last time I was there was
'96. Maybe next year.

Patrick
- --
Patrick Flowers
Mailto:patri63

The GMC Motorhome Page
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com
 
Paul,

Your bird tale sounds like your luck is becoming more like mine. Hundreds of
hours ago I was telling the wife that there was nothing left that could go
wrong but it just keeps happening. It's gotten to the point that whenever we
make a trip in the GMC our frends don't ask us where we went or what we did
but what happened to us this time.

My grill was originally cracked. If my memory is correct I found that ABS
glue bonded to the material quite well and a couple of coats had adequate
strength. It had been repaired before with epoxy but those materials were a
poor match. Typically on a repair like this I would embed some figerglass
cloth if the geometry was appropriate but I don't recall for sure on this
one. I believe I repaired this one when I had the steering box out so it
wasn't at the top tier of my attention at the time. (The repair isn't
visible on a casual walk around) Mine also had the problem of loose mounting
studs. The ABS shrinks as it dries and didn't solve that problem very well.

I agree that if you're going with a new part fiberglass would be a better
material. I've got snowmobiles so I've had lots of experience gluing
fiberglass fragments back together. It's much more durable than the plastic.

Dick

ps. Another tidbit that may be useful to someone. Last year when I had to
replace the gate valve on the blackwater tank by the time I'd done enough
trimming to fit in the new valve there were some sizable air gaps. It took
several coats of ABS glue to close all of the holes but it's now perfectly
adequate. ABS glue is very slow drying and takes a lot of time and patience
to use properly but it has enough body to it that you can almost mold things
in place with it. The several layers on the tank probably took at least a
week to dry to full strength and the grill would have taken all day to dry.
On those few things where it bonds well ABS is the perfect fit.

>Last Saturday evening about dark, an Owl flew into the grill of my coach
>as I was traveling up Hwy 41, just S of Fon du Lac WI to attend the EAA
>AirVenture (note they no longer call it the FlyIn). It hit the lower
>edge of the grill, breaking a foot long piece out of the bottom bar
>(which came to rest against the A/C condenser, so I didn't lose it).
>
>I pulled over to the side of the road and found it still embedded,
>looking akin to cattle horns adorning the front end. About twenty miles
>up the road as I was approaching Whitman Field and exiting Hwy 41, when
>I neared a stop sign, the Owl decided to fly away. Saved me the time
>and effort of disposal.
>
>Fortunately, the insurance company will cover the repair (replacement)
>cost.
>
>Now all I have to do is obtain a new grill. As the original grill is
>made of plastic, it is susceptible to cracking, particularly in the area
>where the attachment studs thread into the back side.
>
>There are replacement fiberglass grills available from some of the
>established GMC Motorhome service merchants. I know of one individual
>who obtained a fiberglass one from Clasco when they were in business and
>sent it back because it didn't fit right.
>
>Anyone have any experience with replacement of an original style grill
>constructed out of fiberglass and a recommended source? Are there any
>alternative type grills or designs you can suggest? Any opinion pro or
>con on fiberglass vs. fiberglass construction of the grills vs.
>longevity?
>
> Paul Bartz
>
>P. S. Saw many GMC's at the EAA campground (Camp Scholer). A number
>evidently had leaky air suspension systems, because they were squatting
>in the rear.
>
>Did anyone happen to be there with their GMC during the time I was there
>(i. e. this past Sat evening until Mon early evening)?
>
>
 
I wouls like the info on the paint as well as I want to do my bexels. I have
a small prolem as one part of the grill has chipped off. Any ideas as to how
to cover it up and fix it. If I had the paint, I could paint it after I
plugged the hole.

Thanks

Al Chernoff

> Paul,
> Bummer, just be happy you didn't hit the bear the owl was chasing!
>
> I have seen some pretty good fiberglass repro and some of them even fit
> pretty good. I have to say though that a brand new origional grill is
> hard to beat! Cinnnabar has the correct origional grill for $200 and
> there is no question as to fit, shape or condition. Yes it is plastic
> but it looks soo good especially if you repaint your headlight bezels.
> Call and I'll give you the paint info to do that.
>
> I would suggest getting a new origional from Cinnabar, paint the
> headlight bezels and be done with it.
>
> Jim Bounds www.gmccoop.com
>

> >
> > Last Saturday evening about dark, an Owl flew into the grill of my coach
> > as I was traveling up Hwy 41, just S of Fon du Lac WI to attend the EAA
> > AirVenture (note they no longer call it the FlyIn). It hit the lower
> > edge of the grill, breaking a foot long piece out of the bottom bar
> > (which came to rest against the A/C condenser, so I didn't lose it).
> >
> > I pulled over to the side of the road and found it still embedded,
> > looking akin to cattle horns adorning the front end. About twenty miles
> > up the road as I was approaching Whitman Field and exiting Hwy 41, when
> > I neared a stop sign, the Owl decided to fly away. Saved me the time
> > and effort of disposal.
> >
> > Fortunately, the insurance company will cover the repair (replacement)
> > cost.
> >
> > Now all I have to do is obtain a new grill. As the original grill is
> > made of plastic, it is susceptible to cracking, particularly in the area
> > where the attachment studs thread into the back side.
> >
> > There are replacement fiberglass grills available from some of the
> > established GMC Motorhome service merchants. I know of one individual
> > who obtained a fiberglass one from Clasco when they were in business and
> > sent it back because it didn't fit right.
> >
> > Anyone have any experience with replacement of an original style grill
> > constructed out of fiberglass and a recommended source? Are there any
> > alternative type grills or designs you can suggest? Any opinion pro or
> > con on fiberglass vs. fiberglass construction of the grills vs.
> > longevity?
> >
> > Paul Bartz
> >
> > P. S. Saw many GMC's at the EAA campground (Camp Scholer). A number
> > evidently had leaky air suspension systems, because they were squatting
> > in the rear.
> >
> > Did anyone happen to be there with their GMC during the time I was there
> > (i. e. this past Sat evening until Mon early evening)?
 
Paul,
Bummer, just be happy you didn't hit the bear the owl was chasing!

I have seen some pretty good fiberglass repro and some of them even fit
pretty good. I have to say though that a brand new origional grill is
hard to beat! Cinnnabar has the correct origional grill for $200 and
there is no question as to fit, shape or condition. Yes it is plastic
but it looks soo good especially if you repaint your headlight bezels.
Call and I'll give you the paint info to do that.

I would suggest getting a new origional from Cinnabar, paint the
headlight bezels and be done with it.

Jim Bounds www.gmccoop.com

>
> Last Saturday evening about dark, an Owl flew into the grill of my coach
> as I was traveling up Hwy 41, just S of Fon du Lac WI to attend the EAA
> AirVenture (note they no longer call it the FlyIn). It hit the lower
> edge of the grill, breaking a foot long piece out of the bottom bar
> (which came to rest against the A/C condenser, so I didn't lose it).
>
> I pulled over to the side of the road and found it still embedded,
> looking akin to cattle horns adorning the front end. About twenty miles
> up the road as I was approaching Whitman Field and exiting Hwy 41, when
> I neared a stop sign, the Owl decided to fly away. Saved me the time
> and effort of disposal.
>
> Fortunately, the insurance company will cover the repair (replacement)
> cost.
>
> Now all I have to do is obtain a new grill. As the original grill is
> made of plastic, it is susceptible to cracking, particularly in the area
> where the attachment studs thread into the back side.
>
> There are replacement fiberglass grills available from some of the
> established GMC Motorhome service merchants. I know of one individual
> who obtained a fiberglass one from Clasco when they were in business and
> sent it back because it didn't fit right.
>
> Anyone have any experience with replacement of an original style grill
> constructed out of fiberglass and a recommended source? Are there any
> alternative type grills or designs you can suggest? Any opinion pro or
> con on fiberglass vs. fiberglass construction of the grills vs.
> longevity?
>
> Paul Bartz
>
> P. S. Saw many GMC's at the EAA campground (Camp Scholer). A number
> evidently had leaky air suspension systems, because they were squatting
> in the rear.
>
> Did anyone happen to be there with their GMC during the time I was there
> (i. e. this past Sat evening until Mon early evening)?
 
Al:

What I did with mine was water sand all the front flat surfaces with 400
paper, primed and sprayed on basecoat/clear coat. Then I went to the sign
shop and they cut me strips of aluminum (like a decal) and applied it to
all the front flat surfaces.

If they want to charge you an arm and a leg for the aluminum for cutting
they may have some that is left over from other jobs they completed. Then
you can use a straight edge and cut your own.

Applying the aluminum is easy. The edges of the grill can be used as a
guide. Make sure that all the surfaces you apply the aluminum are real
smooth otherwise it will show the defects underneath. I have some blemishes
in mine which are not too noticeable.

You now have just chromed your front grill. You can also do this with
your headlights bezels. Last but not least you may want to clearcoat the
aluminum after it is on. Reason is that this clear coat can be easily
water sanded lightly and recoated again without damaging the aluminum. This
will help protect it from slight damage from sand and bugs.

Bob

>I wouls like the info on the paint as well as I want to do my bexels. I have
>a small prolem as one part of the grill has chipped off. Any ideas as to how
>to cover it up and fix it. If I had the paint, I could paint it after I
>plugged the hole.
>
>Thanks
>
>Al Chernoff
>

>
>> Paul,
>> Bummer, just be happy you didn't hit the bear the owl was chasing!
>>
>> I have seen some pretty good fiberglass repro and some of them even fit
>> pretty good. I have to say though that a brand new origional grill is
>> hard to beat! Cinnnabar has the correct origional grill for $200 and
>> there is no question as to fit, shape or condition. Yes it is plastic
>> but it looks soo good especially if you repaint your headlight bezels.
>> Call and I'll give you the paint info to do that.
>>
>> I would suggest getting a new origional from Cinnabar, paint the
>> headlight bezels and be done with it.
>>
>> Jim Bounds www.gmccoop.com
>>

>> >
>> > Last Saturday evening about dark, an Owl flew into the grill of my coach
>> > as I was traveling up Hwy 41, just S of Fon du Lac WI to attend the EAA
>> > AirVenture (note they no longer call it the FlyIn). It hit the lower
>> > edge of the grill, breaking a foot long piece out of the bottom bar
>> > (which came to rest against the A/C condenser, so I didn't lose it).
>> >
>> > I pulled over to the side of the road and found it still embedded,
>> > looking akin to cattle horns adorning the front end. About twenty miles
>> > up the road as I was approaching Whitman Field and exiting Hwy 41, when
>> > I neared a stop sign, the Owl decided to fly away. Saved me the time
>> > and effort of disposal.
>> >
>> > Fortunately, the insurance company will cover the repair (replacement)
>> > cost.
>> >
>> > Now all I have to do is obtain a new grill. As the original grill is
>> > made of plastic, it is susceptible to cracking, particularly in the area
>> > where the attachment studs thread into the back side.
>> >
>> > There are replacement fiberglass grills available from some of the
>> > established GMC Motorhome service merchants. I know of one individual
>> > who obtained a fiberglass one from Clasco when they were in business and
>> > sent it back because it didn't fit right.
>> >
>> > Anyone have any experience with replacement of an original style grill
>> > constructed out of fiberglass and a recommended source? Are there any
>> > alternative type grills or designs you can suggest? Any opinion pro or
>> > con on fiberglass vs. fiberglass construction of the grills vs.
>> > longevity?
>> >
>> > Paul Bartz
>> >
>> > P. S. Saw many GMC's at the EAA campground (Camp Scholer). A number
>> > evidently had leaky air suspension systems, because they were squatting
>> > in the rear.
>> >
>> > Did anyone happen to be there with their GMC during the time I was there
>> > (i. e. this past Sat evening until Mon early evening)?
>
>
>
>
>
 
Jim:

My headlight bezels and grill are already painted body color.

On that paint note, I took a picture of another coach at the Boerne
GMCMI Rally last year and after looking at the print, noted that the
vertical bar behind the center, which anchors the other horizontal bars
of the grill (original type), was painted and destroyed the effect I was
after. That was, to make the coach look wider. So when I had mine
painted, I specifically told the painter to mask off that vertical
piece. Now it looks as if the bars are floating.

Paul Bartz

From: Jim Bounds [mailto:jimbounds]
Sent: Thursday, August 13, 1998 3:26 AM
Subject: Re: GMC: Front Grill

Paul,

Bummer, just be happy you didn't hit the bear the owl was chasing!
I have seen some pretty good fiberglass repro and some of them even fit
pretty good. I have to say though that a brand new origional grill is
hard to beat! Cinnnabar has the correct origional grill for $200 and
there is no question as to fit, shape or condition. Yes it is plastic
but it looks soo good especially if you repaint your headlight bezels.
Call and I'll give you the paint info to do that.
I would suggest getting a new origional from Cinnabar, paint the
headlight bezels and be done with it.
Jim Bounds www.gmccoop.com

Last Saturday evening about dark, an Owl flew into the grill of my coach
as I was traveling up Hwy 41, just S of Fon du Lac WI to attend the EAA
AirVenture (note they no longer call it the FlyIn). It hit the lower
edge of the grill, breaking a foot long piece out of the bottom bar
(which came to rest against the A/C condenser, so I didn't lose it).

I pulled over to the side of the road and found it still embedded,
looking akin to cattle horns adorning the front end. About twenty miles
up the road as I was approaching Whitman Field and exiting Hwy 41, when
I neared a stop sign, the Owl decided to fly away. Saved me the time
and effort of disposal.

Fortunately, the insurance company will cover the repair (replacement)
cost.

Now all I have to do is obtain a new grill. As the original grill is
made of plastic, it is susceptible to cracking, particularly in the area
where the attachment studs thread into the back side.

There are replacement fiberglass grills available from some of the
established GMC Motorhome service merchants. I know of one individual
who obtained a fiberglass one from Clasco when they were in business and
sent it back because it didn't fit right.

Anyone have any experience with replacement of an original style grill
constructed out of fiberglass and a recommended source? Are there any
alternative type grills or designs you can suggest? Any opinion pro or
con on fiberglass vs. fiberglass construction of the grills vs.
longevity?

Paul Bartz

P. S. Saw many GMC's at the EAA campground (Camp Scholer). A number
evidently had leaky air suspension systems, because they were squatting
in the rear.

Did anyone happen to be there with their GMC during the time I was there
(i. e. this past Sat evening until Mon early evening)?
 
>
> In pictures I have seen many coaches that have the chrome and red
> "GMC" emblem in the center of the grill. How do you do that?
>
> -does someone sell a grill with it on it.
> -does someone sell a kit to install it on an existing grill.

Keith,

I think Alex Sirum has the "GMC" letters that mount in the grill. Check
www.gmcmh.com - I think they're in the "exterior parts" section.

Patrick
- --
Patrick Flowers
Mailto:patri63

The GMC Motorhome Page
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com
 
I have been following the discussion on front grill/headlight bezels; I am
working on the same project myself. I have a question:

In pictures I have seen many coaches that have the chrome and red "GMC"
emblem in the center of the grill. How do you do that?

- -does someone sell a grill with it on it.
- -does someone sell a kit to install it on an existing grill.

I have looked at salvage yards trying to find a grill that I could cut out
the portion I want and bond it onto my exiting grill (it has no damage and
is in fine shape), but have not been able to locate one. Has anyone else
out there done the project this way? How did you do it, what parts grill
works best, it looks to me like an '80's Suburban has the closest shape to
the GMCMH.

Keith
 
And what will that accomplish????

Paul Bartz

From: HLBF [mailto:HLBF]
Sent: Sunday, August 16, 1998 11:53 PM
Subject: Re: GMC: Front Grill

Go to your local GMC Truck dealer.
HLBF
 
Paul,

I believe it's a suggestion of an alternate place to find the "GMC"
letters.

Patrick

>
> And what will that accomplish????
>
> Paul Bartz
>
> From: HLBF [mailto:HLBF]
> Sent: Sunday, August 16, 1998 11:53 PM
> Subject: Re: GMC: Front Grill
>
> Go to your local GMC Truck dealer.
> HLBF

- --
Patrick Flowers
Mailto:patri63

The GMC Motorhome Page
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com
 
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