1977 rocker panels
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
From: Newfane New York
1977 rocker panels
HI I have a 1977 with the silver rocker panels. The finish on the front of each panel is looking bad. almost like someone used a brillo pad or sander on them.
Is there anyway to refinish these and or get the light scratches out.. Thanks
Is there anyway to refinish these and or get the light scratches out.. Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,286
Likes: 4,375
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Steve,
Welcome!
First post!!
The rocker trim panels are clear anodized.
This is a difficult finish to duplicate without stripping off the existing anodizing, refinishing the aluminum surface, and then re-anodizing the panel.
People report achieving a similar finish at home with clear paint.
You might want to 'search' the forums for "rocker trim/anodizing"
Regards,
Alan
These are restored/re-anodized rocker trim.
You and your wife could go away for a VERY nice weekend for what they cost.
Welcome!
First post!!
The rocker trim panels are clear anodized.
This is a difficult finish to duplicate without stripping off the existing anodizing, refinishing the aluminum surface, and then re-anodizing the panel.
People report achieving a similar finish at home with clear paint.
You might want to 'search' the forums for "rocker trim/anodizing"
Regards,
Alan
These are restored/re-anodized rocker trim.
You and your wife could go away for a VERY nice weekend for what they cost.
Last edited by Alan 71; Nov 11, 2017 at 12:06 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,054
Likes: 212
From: Kissimmee Florida
Hi Steve,
Welcome!
First post!!
The rocker trim panels are clear anodized.
This is a difficult finish to duplicate without stripping off the existing anodizing, refinishing the aluminum surface, and then re-anodizing the panel.
People report achieving a similar finish at home with clear paint.
You might want to 'search' the forums for "rocker trim/anodizing"
Regards,
Alan
Welcome!
First post!!
The rocker trim panels are clear anodized.
This is a difficult finish to duplicate without stripping off the existing anodizing, refinishing the aluminum surface, and then re-anodizing the panel.
People report achieving a similar finish at home with clear paint.
You might want to 'search' the forums for "rocker trim/anodizing"
Regards,
Alan
If you'll go to Lowes to to the section where the sell the tool boxes you will find a product called Diamond Brite truck tool box polish !
It's a white liquid in a dark blue bottle ! You apply it with a soft cloth like t-shirt material! It's non abrasive and should not remove the anodizing on the metal but it will bring back the shine ! You'll want to do this by hand and not with a machine!
It only takes a small amount on the rag and rub ! As you do it will turn black so hospital gloves are recommended! The more you rub the better the shine ! After a few minutes you stop and let it haze over , then wipe with a clean rag !
This stuff won't scratch chrome but will remove rust from it !
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
From: Newfane New York
I agree with Alan 71 but, before you do that here's something else you can try !
If you'll go to Lowes to to the section where the sell the tool boxes you will find a product called Diamond Brite truck tool box polish !
It's a white liquid in a dark blue bottle ! You apply it with a soft cloth like t-shirt material! It's non abrasive and should not remove the anodizing on the metal but it will bring back the shine ! You'll want to do this by hand and not with a machine!
It only takes a small amount on the rag and rub ! As you do it will turn black so hospital gloves are recommended! The more you rub the better the shine ! After a few minutes you stop and let it haze over , then wipe with a clean rag !
This stuff won't scratch chrome but will remove rust from it !
If you'll go to Lowes to to the section where the sell the tool boxes you will find a product called Diamond Brite truck tool box polish !
It's a white liquid in a dark blue bottle ! You apply it with a soft cloth like t-shirt material! It's non abrasive and should not remove the anodizing on the metal but it will bring back the shine ! You'll want to do this by hand and not with a machine!
It only takes a small amount on the rag and rub ! As you do it will turn black so hospital gloves are recommended! The more you rub the better the shine ! After a few minutes you stop and let it haze over , then wipe with a clean rag !
This stuff won't scratch chrome but will remove rust from it !
2 questions I have the hood seems low in relationship to fenders I'll try to post pics and the windshield outside pillars seemed messed up
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,286
Likes: 4,375
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
77 cars had stainless steel exterior windshield trim that was painted flat black.
What's shown in your photo is difficult to see.
It may be the correct trim that's been poorly repainted?
Regards,
Alan
77 cars had stainless steel exterior windshield trim that was painted flat black.
What's shown in your photo is difficult to see.
It may be the correct trim that's been poorly repainted?
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Nov 11, 2017 at 02:32 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
That's what it looks like to me, Alan. To make that painted trim look decent, it needs to be removed, stripped of all paint with a chemical stripper, and repainted (or primed and painted). I think the PO used a brush with some Rustoleum on it to re-color that trim. 
Last edited by 7T1vette; Nov 11, 2017 at 09:17 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
The hood can be made to fit better by installing the rubber blocks the factory used for this purpose. They fit in the channel on left and right sides, and are fitted and spaced as necessary to get hood alignment.
I agree with other on the side trim, its been poorly painted.
I agree with other on the side trim, its been poorly painted.
Last edited by Shovels and Vettes; Nov 12, 2017 at 06:18 AM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
From: Newfane New York
thanks
I ordered the bumpers for the hood I think they were removed when the car was repainted. AS for the trim on the windshield. I dont see any screws for removal or does it just pry off.
I do not want to bend it.
I do not want to bend it.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,286
Likes: 4,375
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Steve,
You're going to need to be careful using the rubber blocks.
Since the hinged end of the hood is at a fixed height what the blocks are going to do is cause the hood to be 'warped' up in the center when the hood latches are set. (This will raise it in the middle.) But this is going to put pressure on the hood when closed.
The a-pillar ss trim is secured in place by hidden screws that are under the the weather stripping.
Regards,
Alan
The rubber strip and it's retainer must be removed first.
You're going to need to be careful using the rubber blocks.
Since the hinged end of the hood is at a fixed height what the blocks are going to do is cause the hood to be 'warped' up in the center when the hood latches are set. (This will raise it in the middle.) But this is going to put pressure on the hood when closed.
The a-pillar ss trim is secured in place by hidden screws that are under the the weather stripping.
Regards,
Alan
The rubber strip and it's retainer must be removed first.
Last edited by Alan 71; Nov 12, 2017 at 07:58 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,383
Likes: 1,755
From: Seattle Area Washington
I agree with Alan on the rubber blocks.
Reshaping the hood to fender height is not an overnight process. What I have seen done with good results is use some of the hard white Styrofoam used in packaging. Cut some blocks that will fit into the fender gutter at the low spots, cut them just high enough to add a little pressure on the hood. No need to use any adhesives. After a few weeks cut some more blocks just a little higher and so on until the panels match. Now you can install the correct rubber blocks.
Reshaping the hood to fender height is not an overnight process. What I have seen done with good results is use some of the hard white Styrofoam used in packaging. Cut some blocks that will fit into the fender gutter at the low spots, cut them just high enough to add a little pressure on the hood. No need to use any adhesives. After a few weeks cut some more blocks just a little higher and so on until the panels match. Now you can install the correct rubber blocks.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
From: Newfane New York
I agree with Alan on the rubber blocks.
Reshaping the hood to fender height is not an overnight process. What I have seen done with good results is use some of the hard white Styrofoam used in packaging. Cut some blocks that will fit into the fender gutter at the low spots, cut them just high enough to add a little pressure on the hood. No need to use any adhesives. After a few weeks cut some more blocks just a little higher and so on until the panels match. Now you can install the correct rubber blocks.
Reshaping the hood to fender height is not an overnight process. What I have seen done with good results is use some of the hard white Styrofoam used in packaging. Cut some blocks that will fit into the fender gutter at the low spots, cut them just high enough to add a little pressure on the hood. No need to use any adhesives. After a few weeks cut some more blocks just a little higher and so on until the panels match. Now you can install the correct rubber blocks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 149
From: Frisco TX
Hi Steve,
Welcome!
First post!!
The rocker trim panels are clear anodized.
This is a difficult finish to duplicate without stripping off the existing anodizing, refinishing the aluminum surface, and then re-anodizing the panel.
People report achieving a similar finish at home with clear paint.
You might want to 'search' the forums for "rocker trim/anodizing"
Regards,
Alan
These are restored/re-anodized rocker trim.
You and your wife could go away for a VERY nice weekend for what they cost.
Welcome!
First post!!
The rocker trim panels are clear anodized.
This is a difficult finish to duplicate without stripping off the existing anodizing, refinishing the aluminum surface, and then re-anodizing the panel.
People report achieving a similar finish at home with clear paint.
You might want to 'search' the forums for "rocker trim/anodizing"
Regards,
Alan
These are restored/re-anodized rocker trim.
You and your wife could go away for a VERY nice weekend for what they cost.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,286
Likes: 4,375
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi LW,
Because the aluminum is so fragile I would start with lacquer thinner to see if that will 'lift' the paint.
If that doesn't work I'd try some citrus based paint remover.
Citrus-Strip is a little gentler since it doesn't contain methylene chloride.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Because the aluminum is so fragile I would start with lacquer thinner to see if that will 'lift' the paint.
If that doesn't work I'd try some citrus based paint remover.
Citrus-Strip is a little gentler since it doesn't contain methylene chloride.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 149
From: Frisco TX
Hi LW,
Because the aluminum is so fragile I would start with lacquer thinner to see if that will 'lift' the paint.
If that doesn't work I'd try some citrus based paint remover.
Citrus-Strip is a little gentler since it doesn't contain methylene chloride.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Because the aluminum is so fragile I would start with lacquer thinner to see if that will 'lift' the paint.
If that doesn't work I'd try some citrus based paint remover.
Citrus-Strip is a little gentler since it doesn't contain methylene chloride.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan