No, I've never tried an anodizing kit, I did use an anodizing remover (BlueLightning Brand) with success. 10-15 years ago I polished the lower trim on my elky, and the polish job was pretty good, but not great. To protect it, I spray the pieces with a clear coat product from Eastwood. The look lasted for a bit, but at this point needs to be redone. I am currently trying to find time to strip and paint the Elky and when it comes time for the trim I'll need to make a decision about which way to go, either D-I-Y or let a pro do it. Cost will definitely be a factor.
For the hood trim, I'm assuming its Pot Metal, check with Superior Plating or Superior Chrome out of Houston. I left the 2 forward corner trim pieces from the bed with them this past weekend. Their estimate at the swap meet was reasonable compared to repro trim and I know that they fit. As for the bumper $400 does not seem too far out of line for a "show" finish. Check with TriCity (I think that is the name) out of Tennesse, they come highly recommended in the chevelletech forums. Again, with original you know that there should not be fitment "issues". I know that there are people on this list who know a lot more about this than I so hopefully someone else will check-in. On Mon, May 2, 2011 at 5:36 PM, Chum Nault <[email protected]> wrote: > Rick > > Have you ever tried the do it yourself anodizing kits? It is it possible to > do a grill? I don’t mind spending the time polishing them, I just want them > to look good when finished. My chrome moldings are pitted so all the polish > in the world won’t save them so I will need to have them re-plated or > replaced. Any suggestions on where to send re-plating, the places I have > used in the past have gotten way out of line on price, they want over $300 > to re-plate the molding down the center of the hood and the bumper exchange > that we use is at about $400 a bumper. The new replacement bumpers are only > $169. > > > > Chum > > > ------------------------------ > > *From:* [email protected] [mailto: > [email protected]] *On Behalf Of *Rick Schaefer > *Sent:* Monday, May 02, 2011 2:55 PM > > *To:* The Chevelle Mailing List > *Subject:* Re: [Chevelle-list] (no subject) > > > > The cloudy finish on the aluminum is the anodizing coating. The anodizing > needs to be removed before the parts can be polished. If you want to > polish them yourself, you can order anodizing remover from many sources ( > caswellplating.com for one). Or if you have them polished by a pro, > he/she will know what to do. Then once they are polished, they should be > re-anodized to maintain the finish. Doing it yourself is not rocket > science but it is plenty of work. > > As for replacement pieces, its generally recommended to keep your originals > and have them redone. Fit on replacement parts is hit or miss at best. > > On Mon, May 2, 2011 at 12:09 PM, <[email protected]> wrote: > > Chum.... > > > > Try polishing them with 000 Steel Wool and then with some metal brite. > > > > 000 Steel Wool works great on stainless, chrome and glass. > > > > Jerry Wells > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Chum Nault <[email protected]> > To: 'The Chevelle Mailing List' <[email protected]> > Sent: Mon, May 2, 2011 12:05 pm > Subject: Re: [Chevelle-list] (no subject) > > After 4 years of restoration I have my 65 painted and ready to start the > reassembly. I hope someone can give me some advice on a couple of items. I > have all the original aluminum moldings for the trunk and hood and the grill > but they are all cloudy, can these be polished or re anodized or am I better > off with new moldings. I don’t want to order new ones and have a fit and > finish problem. The same with the chrome moldings on the hood and trunk > should I have them re-plated or are there quality replacements? How about > bumpers, anyone have experience with the replacements, how do they fit and > how is the finish? > > > > Chum Nault > > > ------------------------------ > > > > > -- > Rick Schaefer > 72 TPI El Camino > > -- Rick Schaefer 72 TPI El Camino
