Rocker Molding
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,369
Likes: 103
From: Centerville Louisiana
Rocker Molding
How and what are you guys using to clean your rockers? My last set had dings which I tapped out but, then I had to polish them to get them uniform. Which removed I guess the clear coating
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,315
Likes: 4,418
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi C,
The 'clear coating' you removed was actually clear anodizing.
Now that the anodizing is gone you can polish the aluminum surface as you'd like and then use a clear top coat of your choice to protect the finish you created.
Regards,
Alan
The 'clear coating' you removed was actually clear anodizing.
Now that the anodizing is gone you can polish the aluminum surface as you'd like and then use a clear top coat of your choice to protect the finish you created.
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The anodized layer is also a 'hard coat' for the part. It makes the part more resistant to nicks/road-rash and also give the soft aluminum part better strength. If you remove the anodizing, the part will be prone to nicks/dings and can be bent merely with poor handling/installation.
FYI...just so that you are aware of the potential problems when the anodizing is removed.
FYI...just so that you are aware of the potential problems when the anodizing is removed.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,369
Likes: 103
From: Centerville Louisiana
[QUOTE=7T1vette;1591202807]The anodized layer is also a 'hard coat' for the part. It makes the part more resistant to nicks/road-rash and also give the soft aluminum part better strength. If you remove the anodizing, the part will be prone to nicks/dings and can be bent merely with poor handling/installation.
FYI...just so that you are aware of the potential problems when the anodizing is removed
I'm looking for a method of cleaning without losing the coating
FYI...just so that you are aware of the potential problems when the anodizing is removed
I'm looking for a method of cleaning without losing the coating
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
I haven't found such a process, yet. It appears that the anodized layer is what gets cloudy. And to shine it up, you have to remove that layer. Then you are left with a soft aluminum part.
If it needs to be 'purty', sand off the anodized layer, shine up the aluminum part (different grades of sandpaper, then compound, then polish and buff) and give it a clearcoat of durable exterior paint that bonds with metal (like that used to clearcoat aluminum wheels).
If you get the car 'judged', they may knock off for the part not being "stock". So, you could buy new panels. (Why new non-factory rockers would be judged better than original parts with some deterioration of the anodizing, I have no idea. But that's what might happen.)
If it needs to be 'purty', sand off the anodized layer, shine up the aluminum part (different grades of sandpaper, then compound, then polish and buff) and give it a clearcoat of durable exterior paint that bonds with metal (like that used to clearcoat aluminum wheels).
If you get the car 'judged', they may knock off for the part not being "stock". So, you could buy new panels. (Why new non-factory rockers would be judged better than original parts with some deterioration of the anodizing, I have no idea. But that's what might happen.)
Last edited by 7T1vette; Dec 29, 2015 at 01:43 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
For discussion purposes only...
When new, those rocker panels were not 'bright & shiny'. They were more uniform in surface appearance, but they were a semi-flat type finish. Anodizing is transluscent, rather than totally transparent. So, if you want brightly polished aluminum, that's NOT what came on a new C3.
P.S. Nothing wrong with 'bright & shiny'; for that you would need to strip anodized layer, sand/polish the aluminum to the finish required, then clearcoat with a good exterior clear paint for metals.
When new, those rocker panels were not 'bright & shiny'. They were more uniform in surface appearance, but they were a semi-flat type finish. Anodizing is transluscent, rather than totally transparent. So, if you want brightly polished aluminum, that's NOT what came on a new C3.
P.S. Nothing wrong with 'bright & shiny'; for that you would need to strip anodized layer, sand/polish the aluminum to the finish required, then clearcoat with a good exterior clear paint for metals.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
I took my original rockers to a professional polishing place that I have been using for my chrome. It turned out so stunning that I really dont care what the up keep on them is. Which so far has been minimal effort.
And fwiw, why have dull aluminum on a custom car? Maybe if you are going for an oem build. Maybe. Awww, no, sorry just cannot understand it.
And fwiw, why have dull aluminum on a custom car? Maybe if you are going for an oem build. Maybe. Awww, no, sorry just cannot understand it.
Last edited by Sunstroked; Dec 31, 2015 at 12:18 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 32
From: Damascus MD
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 32
From: Damascus MD
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Bill,
I don't miss the silver color. Of course my wheels are not correct either. I just do what I think looks best to me.
And if anyone is interested that is Krylon semi-flat paint.
I don't miss the silver color. Of course my wheels are not correct either. I just do what I think looks best to me.
And if anyone is interested that is Krylon semi-flat paint.
Last edited by Paul L; Jan 1, 2016 at 08:21 PM.