Metal Rocker Panels (repair or replace)
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Metal Rocker Panels (repair or replace)
Hello,
I'm getting ready to paint my '76. The aluminum rocker panels are somewhat bent and dinged up.
I don't really want to put these old rocker panels back on the car after a new paint job.
Should I find a shop to refurbish my old ones, or try to buy a pair of new ones?
Also, I'm buying new weather stripping, door handle and lock gaskets. Are there any other items I need to buy before the repaint? My rubber bumpers are not torn, but they are not exactly smooth either. They are a bit "wavy" in a couple places. Again, should I buy replacements or simply repaint the old ones.
Thanks for any other advice. Just trying to make sure that I'm ordering everything I need before taking on the repaint.
Jerry
I'm getting ready to paint my '76. The aluminum rocker panels are somewhat bent and dinged up.
I don't really want to put these old rocker panels back on the car after a new paint job.
Should I find a shop to refurbish my old ones, or try to buy a pair of new ones?
Also, I'm buying new weather stripping, door handle and lock gaskets. Are there any other items I need to buy before the repaint? My rubber bumpers are not torn, but they are not exactly smooth either. They are a bit "wavy" in a couple places. Again, should I buy replacements or simply repaint the old ones.
Thanks for any other advice. Just trying to make sure that I'm ordering everything I need before taking on the repaint.
Jerry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
Hello,
I'm getting ready to paint my '76. The aluminum rocker panels are somewhat bent and dinged up.
I don't really want to put these old rocker panels back on the car after a new paint job.
Should I find a shop to refurbish my old ones, or try to buy a pair of new ones?
Also, I'm buying new weather stripping, door handle and lock gaskets. Are there any other items I need to buy before the repaint? My rubber bumpers are not torn, but they are not exactly smooth either. They are a bit "wavy" in a couple places. Again, should I buy replacements or simply repaint the old ones.
Thanks for any other advice. Just trying to make sure that I'm ordering everything I need before taking on the repaint.
Jerry
I'm getting ready to paint my '76. The aluminum rocker panels are somewhat bent and dinged up.
I don't really want to put these old rocker panels back on the car after a new paint job.
Should I find a shop to refurbish my old ones, or try to buy a pair of new ones?
Also, I'm buying new weather stripping, door handle and lock gaskets. Are there any other items I need to buy before the repaint? My rubber bumpers are not torn, but they are not exactly smooth either. They are a bit "wavy" in a couple places. Again, should I buy replacements or simply repaint the old ones.
Thanks for any other advice. Just trying to make sure that I'm ordering everything I need before taking on the repaint.
Jerry
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
To clarify, my rocker panels are aluminum with a chrome-ish look. Can these be painted to match the body color? What if I want to keep them the chrome/black color? Is there a way to get some of the bends/dents removed and have the aluminum polished so they look new again?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 16
From: Los Angeles California
Anybody ever thought about some diamond cut metal style cut to rocker panel size.. just an idea... you could always paint Em flat black or put vinyl sticker after you fix dents. Or the best option of all side pipes. You could polish and paint strip black.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
You can paint the stock rocker panels, but you can't do much to refurbish them. The panels have an anodized coating on them, which is much harder than the underlying aluminum. This limits 'road rash' and strengthens the part. If you grind/sand/etc on the panels, you will remove the anodized layer and the part will not be the same.
You can 'scuff' the anodized layer and paint the panels. Or, you could use a find grade of steel wool {#000 or #0000} to buff the anodized surface and clean it up some. If that isn't enough for you, buy some repro's.
You can 'scuff' the anodized layer and paint the panels. Or, you could use a find grade of steel wool {#000 or #0000} to buff the anodized surface and clean it up some. If that isn't enough for you, buy some repro's.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 708
Likes: 28
You can paint the stock rocker panels, but you can't do much to refurbish them. The panels have an anodized coating on them, which is much harder than the underlying aluminum. This limits 'road rash' and strengthens the part. If you grind/sand/etc on the panels, you will remove the anodized layer and the part will not be the same.
You can 'scuff' the anodized layer and paint the panels. Or, you could use a find grade of steel wool {#000 or #0000} to buff the anodized surface and clean it up some. If that isn't enough for you, buy some repro's.
You can 'scuff' the anodized layer and paint the panels. Or, you could use a find grade of steel wool {#000 or #0000} to buff the anodized surface and clean it up some. If that isn't enough for you, buy some repro's.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Anodizing is a chemical process. I don't know what affect such stripping would have on them. Anodizing is also an expensive process; it might cost as much as replacing them.
If you think the little dings on an anodized part are bad, wait until you remove the anodized layer. That thing will be flimsy and soft as butter and will easily dent.
If you think the little dings on an anodized part are bad, wait until you remove the anodized layer. That thing will be flimsy and soft as butter and will easily dent.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 419
Likes: 4
From: Lewisville TX
I lightly fixed the dents in both of mine, and then used my angle air tool with the red and then teal pads to strip them of scratches and the years of oxidation. After that, I used polishing compound (stick) on my bench grinder with a sisal and cloth wheel. Took a few hours, but they are mirror finished now. Have stayed that way for over a year without any sign of getting dull.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,287
Likes: 4,375
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
The reproduction panels are slightly different than the originals. The quality and fit isn't too good.
I have a set of restored rocker panels.
The anodizing was removed, the dents removed/straightened, the pitting was removed, the 'brushed' surface was restored, and the panels were re- anodized.
The people who did this work weren't real eager to do it again.
The cost was considerable…. enough that I had to ask permission from my wife.
She and most owners would say that I'm a fool…. and that is probably true!
Regards,
Alan
The reproduction panels are slightly different than the originals. The quality and fit isn't too good.
I have a set of restored rocker panels.
The anodizing was removed, the dents removed/straightened, the pitting was removed, the 'brushed' surface was restored, and the panels were re- anodized.
The people who did this work weren't real eager to do it again.
The cost was considerable…. enough that I had to ask permission from my wife.
She and most owners would say that I'm a fool…. and that is probably true!
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Jul 9, 2014 at 07:43 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
Hello,
I'm getting ready to paint my '76. The aluminum rocker panels are somewhat bent and dinged up.
I don't really want to put these old rocker panels back on the car after a new paint job.
Should I find a shop to refurbish my old ones, or try to buy a pair of new ones?
Jerry
I'm getting ready to paint my '76. The aluminum rocker panels are somewhat bent and dinged up.
I don't really want to put these old rocker panels back on the car after a new paint job.
Should I find a shop to refurbish my old ones, or try to buy a pair of new ones?
Jerry
Mine were also 'bent and dinged up'. The later C3's had a black finish on their rocker panels and I decided to refinish them to black while preserving the upper polished line for an accent. I masked the upper polished line and used sodium hydroxide to strip the balance. This is available from Eastwood under the name Anodize Remover. I then wet sanded the rocker and where bent got it into a rough shape. I used West Marine Epoxy mixed with their 410 fairing filler to fill holes, gouges and depressed areas and sanded again. I finished it off with a black epoxy primer and topped it with Eastwood's 2K Satin Ceramic Chassis Black (used to finish the black 'bumper pads' and other black trim areas).
The end product integrated well into the car, has proven durable, and the polished stripe emphasizes the C3's wasp waist design.
For what it's worth, the anodizing on the original trim was there to keep the aluminum from oxidizing/tarnishing. It was very thin and was not very hard and would be considered decorative. There are other types of anodization that can add substantial surface hardness to aluminum. ( Calaphalon Commercial cookware and Pizza Hut deep dish pans are examples)
Last edited by Rotonda; Jul 8, 2014 at 03:37 PM. Reason: Addition
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Well, I've actually tried to sand and polish an old anodized part. And, much to my dismay, the end result was very weak...wanted to bend under its own weight; and it was much softer than prior to removing the anodized layer.
Cosmetic purposes only? AFAIC..... no way.
Cosmetic purposes only? AFAIC..... no way.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
You've stated your experience. Mine is that chemical removal of the anodization, wet sanding and painting did not result in any apparent diminution of the strength of my rocker panels.