Greeting!
The original sport grill on my 71 Mach is in good shape except for a raised warp on the center lower section of grill.
Any thoughts on how to flatten out a plastic grill? I've thought about clamping it between two boards and using a hair dryer or heat gun to soften it as I slowly clamp down on warp. (?)
Thanks for your comments..
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An approach similar to that worked for me. If you use a heat gun be very careful not to melt the piece. Chuck
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Also be very careful anytime you apply heat to a thermoplastic. Not only can you melt it, but all injection molded parts have an inherent molded in stress. This cannot be avoided as this is part of the molding process. What could happen is heating up the part will start to relieve this stress and the part will warp even worse. Your idea of fixtureing the part is the correct way to do this. This would prevent the good parts of your grill from moving. Also keep the heat low. Not sure what the material is for the front grills, but the heat deflection temperature is usually much lower than the melt transition temperature for polypro type materials, but if this is an amorphous material, these temperatures can be very close (think butter in the frig compared to on the kitchen table).
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Instead of using a heat gun try a hair drier. You have a more controlled heat source with it. I have used it in the past with good results.
Jim
drive it like you stole it
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Not to hijack the thread but does this also work wit a warped front spoiler? Mine bows on the diver side.
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