Rocker Molding
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Tx
Rocker Molding
I recently got a 72 convertible and noticed the rocker moldings are black and I think they supposed to be anodized silver with a black inset at the top. They look as if they are the ones that came on a 68 but not sure. I was thinking of removing the black paint from the bottom section and trying to polish them. Any input on this would be great. Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Charlotte NC
You can more than likely remove the black paint...and keep the thin inset strip black to hide the screw heads...and the top edge is also aluminum.
These moldings are anodized...and I would not remove the anodizing at all costs due to the molding will tarnish quickly.
I do know that the moldings are different lengths...and yours may have just been painted which will make the black come off easily. Easy way to tell if they are the correct length is where the rocker ends right behind the front tire. It should be flush (or close to it) to the edge of the fender where it is screwed and nutted to the fender.
DUB
These moldings are anodized...and I would not remove the anodizing at all costs due to the molding will tarnish quickly.
I do know that the moldings are different lengths...and yours may have just been painted which will make the black come off easily. Easy way to tell if they are the correct length is where the rocker ends right behind the front tire. It should be flush (or close to it) to the edge of the fender where it is screwed and nutted to the fender.
DUB
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi r,
I believe you'd be able to tell if you had 68-69 moldings since they're fiberglass with a second piece of trim that's polished.
I'm not sur if it's aluminum or stainless steel.
The 70+ moldings are matt finish aluminum with an anodized coating and a black stripe.
Yours may have been painted black because the anodizing does scratch and pit so they may have been painted for appearance's sake.
They are pretty delicate so be careful just what you do to them.
Regards,
Alan
I believe you'd be able to tell if you had 68-69 moldings since they're fiberglass with a second piece of trim that's polished.
I'm not sur if it's aluminum or stainless steel.
The 70+ moldings are matt finish aluminum with an anodized coating and a black stripe.
Yours may have been painted black because the anodizing does scratch and pit so they may have been painted for appearance's sake.
They are pretty delicate so be careful just what you do to them.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Feb 5, 2014 at 09:02 PM.
The ORIGINAL and bestest
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From: Toronto Ontario
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I recently got a 72 convertible and noticed the rocker moldings are black and I think they supposed to be anodized silver with a black inset at the top. They look as if they are the ones that came on a 68 but not sure. I was thinking of removing the black paint from the bottom section and trying to polish them. Any input on this would be great. Thanks
As I stated above, I removed the anodizing and polished mine. They do not tarnish any quicker than any other piece of polished aluminum.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,202
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi r,
There is just one manufacturer for the reproduction rocker trim panels. Thus, I believe the larger vendors that sell the trim panels are all selling the same piece.
They're not a very accurate reproduction so disappoint those owners that are interested in originality.
The shape of the top edge of the panel doesn't quite match the shape of the bottom of the door and dog leg. The quality isn't terrific either, the aluminum is quite soft, while the ends are quite poorly formed.
Some of the vendors that sell them have a 'disclaimer' in their description of the trim panel alerting customers to these problems.
Regards,
Alan
There is just one manufacturer for the reproduction rocker trim panels. Thus, I believe the larger vendors that sell the trim panels are all selling the same piece.
They're not a very accurate reproduction so disappoint those owners that are interested in originality.
The shape of the top edge of the panel doesn't quite match the shape of the bottom of the door and dog leg. The quality isn't terrific either, the aluminum is quite soft, while the ends are quite poorly formed.
Some of the vendors that sell them have a 'disclaimer' in their description of the trim panel alerting customers to these problems.
Regards,
Alan
Former Vendor
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The 68-69 rockers were a two piece design with a fiberglass botton painted black and a top trim molding.
The 70-77 style rocker is the same length and as Alan stated there are issues with the current reproduction so we pulled them from our site. It's my understanding that a correct reproduction is due soon.
Willcox
Racer
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: carpentersville ill.
Panels
Rayy-
The 68-69 rockers were a two piece design with a fiberglass botton painted black and a top trim molding.
The 70-77 style rocker is the same length and as Alan stated there are issues with the current reproduction so we pulled them from our site. It's my understanding that a correct reproduction is due soon.
Willcox
The 68-69 rockers were a two piece design with a fiberglass botton painted black and a top trim molding.
The 70-77 style rocker is the same length and as Alan stated there are issues with the current reproduction so we pulled them from our site. It's my understanding that a correct reproduction is due soon.
Willcox
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I have had a pair of the repros on order, with a supporting vendor, for over 6 months now. I recieve an e-mail about once a month telling me that "there are delays in the factory and production is expected in X weeks"! I keep hearing the same "they are being retooled, etc" for a long time now. 
Racer
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From: carpentersville ill.
Paneis
I have had a pair of the repros on order, with a supporting vendor, for over 6 months now. I recieve an e-mail about once a month telling me that "there are delays in the factory and production is expected in X weeks"! I keep hearing the same "they are being retooled, etc" for a long time now.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
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From: Lafayette Louisiana
then put a layer of clear coat?
You are correct, they are supposed to be anodized with the inset painted black. I had the anodizing removed from mine and then polished them, they turned out great.
As I stated above, I removed the anodizing and polished mine. They do not tarnish any quicker than any other piece of polished aluminum.
As I stated above, I removed the anodizing and polished mine. They do not tarnish any quicker than any other piece of polished aluminum.
Melting Slicks
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From: Spring Park MN
Melting Slicks
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From: Bowtie, Pennsyltucky
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15,'21
At Carlisle about 15yrs. ago, I was lucky enough to find an NOS set for my '71. I thought I paid too much for them at the time, but now I guess I was lucky to get them.
Melting Slicks
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From: Spring Park MN
I got lucky and found a driver side NOS 1980 rocker panel at a going out of business sale. It was not in the original packaging, but it still had the GM parts sticker on the back of the panel. The salesman thought it was aftermarket and sold it to me for dirt cheap.
The passenger side I found online and since the seller didn't have a pair, he sold me the one he had dirt cheap too. Score!
Since I don't have my 80 anymore, I am going to put them on my 75 Vert. I think they will look good with the black paint. This is way far from an NCRS car anyway.
The passenger side I found online and since the seller didn't have a pair, he sold me the one he had dirt cheap too. Score!
Since I don't have my 80 anymore, I am going to put them on my 75 Vert. I think they will look good with the black paint. This is way far from an NCRS car anyway.
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Le Mans Master
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To the guy asking the question....the early 68 and 69 Corvettes had fiberglass moldings with an aluminum trim strip......but it looked exactly like the 70 and on moldings. Chevy must have decided it was easier just to produce a one piece design out of aluminum. I am pretty sure they all will fit all the other model year cars.....but I am not completely sure about 80-82. My guess is they will all fit all the other years. I plan to use the one piece aluminum moldings on my 69......because the parts that came with the car are in bad condition and I am not spending the extra money it takes to find good fiberglass pieces.
They also change the colors of the moldings over the years....some black, some aluminum, some combination of both.
Le Mans Master
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From: North tonawanda NY
and the aluminum ones were ALL anodized regardless of bright/black so keep that in mind in case you want to refinish a pair... youll want to clearcoat them with something. EDIT* just read the thread and I see it mentions that... I think I learned that from this thread actually.