Lower Molding Removal
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 534
Likes: 2
From: Connecticut
Lower Molding Removal
Is the lowest exterior molding on passenger and driver side held on by screws on a 78? It looks like there are about 10 screws on each side.
Any suggestions on how to prep and paint?
Any suggestions on how to prep and paint?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Rocker panels. Yep. Screws. Go slow because these tend to rust up and can be a PITA to get out. You also want to check each end beneath the car for an additional screw or two.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Metal or fiberglass? You can strip the metal ones. For fiberglass, a mild stripper safe for fiberglass would be okay (Auto Spray Strip, etc.), or knock them down with 360 wet/dry.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by Grayson
Metal....it is actually chrome under the paint.
It's polished aluminum. It looks pretty good when polished, however, the more you polish the more you are "magnifying" every imperfection (scratches, dings, nicks)....
I polished mine but I'll likely spray them black again fo lower maintenance.... they are diffucult to get to behind the sidepipes
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
The rocker plates are aluminum....but they are anodized on the surface to get the satin finish. The anodized surface is very hard (even though the aluminum underneath is fairly soft). You DO NOT want to sand on these; you won't be able to get the finish back without getting through the anodized finish. If you want to repaint, use a very fine grade of steel wool (3-O or 4-O) to clean up the surface, strip the old paint, clean them and repaint. 
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Originally Posted by 7T1vette
The rocker plates are aluminum....but they are anodized on the surface to get the satin finish. The anodized surface is very hard (even though the aluminum underneath is fairly soft). You DO NOT want to sand on these; you won't be able to get the finish back without getting through the anodized finish. If you want to repaint, use a very fine grade of steel wool (3-O or 4-O) to clean up the surface, strip the old paint, clean them and repaint.
And if you want to have them re-anodized it can be very expensive. You do have a choice of many colors if your into that. Lime green, pale blue etc!!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
By the way, Grayson, if you need/want to replace your rocker panels, I have a "primo" original set that I bought for my '71 only to find out that they are late 70's panels (about 1-1/2" shorter). If you are interested, I can send you info and/or pictures via e-mail. (cmanker@msn.com)
7T1vette
7T1vette
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 534
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From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by 7T1vette
By the way, Grayson, if you need/want to replace your rocker panels, I have a "primo" original set that I bought for my '71 only to find out that they are late 70's panels (about 1-1/2" shorter). If you are interested, I can send you info and/or pictures via e-mail. (cmanker@msn.com)
7T1vette
7T1vette
