Restoring Dart side trim...??
Yeah.... I've been known to do a how-to story from time to time as I photograph everything I try. Whenever I try something and succeed, I share. Even when I don't succeed, I still share...usually along with a good laugh. :-D
I have the grille shell at work and have been fooling around with it in my spare time. I also found a way to replace those damn mounting studs that always snap on the Barracuda grilles, but that's a story for another thread..... Here's a few pictures.
This is the inexpensive polishing kit I bought. Cost something like $20 or so.
These are the hammers I have. I found these at a Model Car show on Long Island. You can probably find them at one of the tool vendors you find at flea markets and car shows that sell EVERYTHING.... ever made in Vietnam or China. I think they cost me $4 for the both of them. They are approx. 9" long. I also use small ball peen hammers with wooden bucks. I also back up the trim with wood when working on them.
This is the upper section of a passenger side grill for a `68 B`cuda. Although it wasn't too bad, the finish is what's really encouraging me.
Here's the lower section after straightening, polishing, and spraying the light silver argent.
These are a ***** to do because EVERYTHING is riveted together and must be separated to do a good job. I'm still searching for a source of 1/8" X 1/16" rivets that have the round head and collapsible end that get's hammered or pressed closed. If anyone knows where to get them, please hit me up.....
What I posted above was done with a hand held high speed air tool not really designed to do polishing. With the bench buffer (which I have to buy as it never made it into Santa's sled....) I should be able to improve on that finish. Another piece of advice is to tape flat, long pieces of trim to a sturdy piece of wood. The buffer will snatch it out of your hand and either shoot it across the work space, bend it in half, or harpoon you. None of those options are cool. BE CAREFUL and good luck.
Yeah.... I've been known to do a how-to story from time to time as I photograph everything I try. Whenever I try something and succeed, I share. Even when I don't succeed, I still share...usually along with a good laugh. :-D
I have the grille shell at work and have been fooling around with it in my spare time. I also found a way to replace those damn mounting studs that always snap on the Barracuda grilles, but that's a story for another thread..... Here's a few pictures.
This is the inexpensive polishing kit I bought. Cost something like $20 or so.
These are the hammers I have. I found these at a Model Car show on Long Island. You can probably find them at one of the tool vendors you find at flea markets and car shows that sell EVERYTHING.... ever made in Vietnam or China. I think they cost me $4 for the both of them. They are approx. 9" long. I also use small ball peen hammers with wooden bucks. I also back up the trim with wood when working on them.
This is the upper section of a passenger side grill for a `68 B`cuda. Although it wasn't too bad, the finish is what's really encouraging me.
Here's the lower section after straightening, polishing, and spraying the light silver argent.
These are a ***** to do because EVERYTHING is riveted together and must be separated to do a good job. I'm still searching for a source of 1/8" X 1/16" rivets that have the round head and collapsible end that get's hammered or pressed closed. If anyone knows where to get them, please hit me up.....
What I posted above was done with a hand held high speed air tool not really designed to do polishing. With the bench buffer (which I have to buy as it never made it into Santa's sled....) I should be able to improve on that finish. Another piece of advice is to tape flat, long pieces of trim to a sturdy piece of wood. The buffer will snatch it out of your hand and either shoot it across the work space, bend it in half, or harpoon you. None of those options are cool. BE CAREFUL and good luck.