Anodized parts/bezel repairs for 66 Dart

rod7515 said
When I joined FABO back in 2013 one of the memebers here had sent me a tutorial on how he went about repairing and refinishing the headlight bezels for his 66 Dart. I am hoping to get a refresher as its been almost 2 years and I am finally about ready to tackle that part of my Dart. I have been looking for better bezels and a grill but not finding anything out there. Also what are the steps to remove the anodizing from teh trim parts as well or do I take them to a shop and let them remove it before I start the repairs?
Rod

I have a 66 that I did some bezel repairs on and I ---
used a lye solution to remove the anodizing (the ORIGINAL yellow top can of easyoff oven cleaner) it took a couple of times to completely remove the anodizing in the cracks and crannies. as for tools I used anything and everything that would fit/shape the dents ad tears out in the bezels and grill.
my fav's were an 1/2" oak dowel rounded on one end and wedge shaped on the other, an Awl for those hard to get places in the corners and a small 4 inch square piece of sown material filled with sand to rest the part on for shaping(also you can find then online a lot easier than sewing one up,A DUH:banghead: moment after I had already made it). tons of different grit wet or dry sandpaper(use very sparingly due to thin metal) and polishing compounds.

to repair holes and tears I used the aluminum rods that I got from "harbor freight". I found that they actually worked better than the ones you find when you google them on the internet.

you need time and patience in working with the thin metal but it can be done.

here is mine after repairs. I still have to find a place to anodize them back if I want to be lazy and not wax them in order to keep them shiny. Are they perfect? heck no but I'm a beginner. But they do fit the curve of the fender better than stock did and they sure do look good with no holes or dent in them. if I spend a bunch more time with them they will be close to perfect parts.

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