The rocker panels on my 76 are looking a bit lack luster. What's the best method for cleaning/polishing them?

Thanks!
Adam

 

Hi Adam,
The original 70-77 rocker panels can be a problem.
They are made of aluminium and then were polished and anodized which is a hard clear coating which people like us can't do. It's not really a plating the rockers were 'dipped' in a solution.
If you try to polish the rocker panel you'll quickly go trough the anodizing which will change the appearance of the rocker panel.
Some people buy new rocker trim $$
Some people remove the anodizing and polish the aluminum and coat it with some clear finish or leave it bare.
Some people send the trim off to companies that can do new anodizing $$$
Some people polish them a LITTLE and then leave well enough alone.
What's the condition of your wallet? That may determine what you do.
Regards,
Alan

 

As pointed out, they were anodized and that's the issue, hard to sand evenly, impossible to buff, etc.

I made up a framework out of some particleboard that two rockers fit into and was about 3" tall.
Cut open some extra-large heavy-duty garbage bags and lined the framework (out in the driveway)
Put in both rockers and added enough water to cover, dump in a bunch (about 1/3-1/2 can) of crystal drain-o and very gently stir until it gets going (helps if the water is warm)

Let the rockers soak, flip over a few times. Take a while, seems to me it was 1/2 hour or better (would be faster if you use more drain-O but I'd rather have it less aggressive and take longer)

Take a multi-meter and set it to check continuity (mine beeps) and lift a rocker out, place the meter probes a foot or so apart and just touch or very lightly wiggle. When the anodize is gone they will make clean contact. Check is a few locations, end, middle, other end. If you need to "scratch" the probes, it's not done.
Once the anodize is gone, rinse well with a hose

I wet sand from 180 through to about 400 grit, fixing any dents or larger scratches. Goes very quickly with the anodize gone
Mask off and paint the black stripe and the back also (I thought it looked better painted)

Then lightly hit it with the buffer and some flitz to give it some shine, then a good coat of wax.

You could spray some clear but I left mine bare, second year now, still fine. If they do dull it's a quick buff while on the car instead of having to remove, strip, etc.etc.etc.

Sounds like a lot of work but basically an afternoon with some standing around waiting for the chemicals to do their thing.

Mooser

 

You can sand off the hard anodizing with a DA sander starting with 220 paper, then work your way up with wet 320, 400 and finally 600 or finer, buff with Mothers Mag and Aluminum polish......Yahtzee!

 

i did mine the same way as Mooser except i used a few coats of clear coat. they have looked great for a bit over six years now.

 

Thanks guys! This is what makes Mondays a b....! I'll get started next Saturday.