Dented Rocker Trim
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Easton pennsylvania
Dented Rocker Trim
It looks like the PO pushed a floor jack into the rocker trim on my 74. They are original pieces with the tabs. Its not a very deep dent, about 4 inches long and about 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep crease. Is it somewhat fixable? I know it will never be perfect, but can it be hammered out by a metal worker? I think they are aluminum, right? Afterwards, can I polish them down with a wheel and different grit clay?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,315
Likes: 4,421
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I believe the rocker trim panel is in fact aluminium and hard anodized.
Straightening the dent is very possible, but the problem then becomes how to refinish the piece.
It's difficult to match the matte finish and 'brushed' appearance the aluminium has, and then even more difficult to match the look of the anodizing.
I realize that people polish the whole trim panel which is a good look, but not very much like the original... if that matters.
Dealing with repairing or replacing original rocker trim continues to be a problem because the reproduction piece available is not very good at all.
Regards,
Alan
I believe the rocker trim panel is in fact aluminium and hard anodized.
Straightening the dent is very possible, but the problem then becomes how to refinish the piece.
It's difficult to match the matte finish and 'brushed' appearance the aluminium has, and then even more difficult to match the look of the anodizing.
I realize that people polish the whole trim panel which is a good look, but not very much like the original... if that matters.
Dealing with repairing or replacing original rocker trim continues to be a problem because the reproduction piece available is not very good at all.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Easton pennsylvania
Not to concerned about keeping the original look. I think that fully polished would look good.. But maybe I can pick up a used piece at a swap meet, then if I dont like how it comes out, I still have the original look..
Thanks..
Thanks..
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Yes, the coating (flash chromed/hard anodized, whatever it is) can be taken off and then polished. Alan: I don't believe it is aluminum, looks like ss to me.
I took the coating off with some fine sandpaper and then polished it up by hand. I wanted a custom look and I like the result of polished ss rather than chrome.
I took the coating off with some fine sandpaper and then polished it up by hand. I wanted a custom look and I like the result of polished ss rather than chrome.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Easton pennsylvania
Yes, the coating (flash chromed/hard anodized, whatever it is) can be taken off and then polished. Alan: I don't believe it is aluminum, looks like ss to me.
I took the coating off with some fine sandpaper and then polished it up by hand. I wanted a custom look and I like the result of polished ss rather than chrome.
I took the coating off with some fine sandpaper and then polished it up by hand. I wanted a custom look and I like the result of polished ss rather than chrome.
I think its aluminum to be honest. I can see where the dent is, the metal has the stress lines in it. Hard to explain but I can see a bunch of very small fine lines. Almost like it was machined in that area. or maybe that is the coating stressing...
Do you have a picture of yours after being polished??
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The part IS anodized (not chromed). And you do not want to take that surface layer off. Beneath it is just very soft aluminum and it will pick up every rock nick/dent that comes its way with the [protective] anodizing gone.
To repair the piece, your best bet is to take it to a sheet metal repair shop or to a local body shop so that a sheet metal 'guy' can do the work. If you are not well practiced at that kind of thing, it is unlikely that the repair will be done well enough and not visually obvious. A good metal guy can fix it easily, unless there is a crease in the part.
No one has found a good way to "polish" an anodized part. The best I've been able to do is to use #0000 steel wool and buff it in the lengthwise direction. Some have cleaned the part well and shot it with good quality aluminum spray paint to make it look better. But, paint will always want to chip/nick from use. If you come up with a good polishing method...that doesn not remove the anodized layer...let the rest of us know.
To repair the piece, your best bet is to take it to a sheet metal repair shop or to a local body shop so that a sheet metal 'guy' can do the work. If you are not well practiced at that kind of thing, it is unlikely that the repair will be done well enough and not visually obvious. A good metal guy can fix it easily, unless there is a crease in the part.
No one has found a good way to "polish" an anodized part. The best I've been able to do is to use #0000 steel wool and buff it in the lengthwise direction. Some have cleaned the part well and shot it with good quality aluminum spray paint to make it look better. But, paint will always want to chip/nick from use. If you come up with a good polishing method...that doesn not remove the anodized layer...let the rest of us know.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,336
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
3xx series stainless (the stuff mainly used on GM trim pieces) is non-magnetic, as with aluminum
Can't vouch for anything else but 72 is aluminum
Mooser
Before someone jumps up and down, let me add virtually since 301-303 can had a very very tiny pull on a magnet if they've been formed and not annealed, 304 and up can exhibit more pull. I believe all stainless trim made by GM during the mid-60's through into the late 79's was 301 or 304 and was all annealed.
As always, could be wrong.
Mooser
Can't vouch for anything else but 72 is aluminum
Mooser
Before someone jumps up and down, let me add virtually since 301-303 can had a very very tiny pull on a magnet if they've been formed and not annealed, 304 and up can exhibit more pull. I believe all stainless trim made by GM during the mid-60's through into the late 79's was 301 or 304 and was all annealed.
As always, could be wrong.
Mooser
Last edited by Mooser; Mar 28, 2012 at 04:33 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Easton pennsylvania
I have a white Vert with a red gut and some red accents. I was thinking of painting the stripe in the rocker trim red as well.... Just scared because I cant go back.. HaHa. Maybe I'll wait to find a set at the swap meet.
