Exterior Trim Restoration

[sprice]

When I started this hobby (hate to say what year given my progress), and got involved in the forums, I was sure I saw an reference to someone who could restore exterior trim - meaning massaging the dents out. I thought to keep it mind as mine did need it but was not at that stage yet. Years later (now), I find I am in need. Does anybody remember if such a person existed or are my "golden years" kicking in?


MONC440 may have answered my query in a previous post, however if there is still a person out there, would be interested in contacting.

 

[volksworld]

I'm looking too and recently posted the same question...I previously used Resto Trim in New York...they advertised in Hemmings back in the day and I was lucky that they were local to me when I lived up there...the guy who's shop he worked out of just told me he died during covid...he recommended SL Metal Restorations in West Babylon...516 343 8824 , but haven't tried to contact them yet...knowing Long Island overhead is astronomical I was hoping to find someone closer to me in North Carolina in hopes of better pricing but haven't gotten any leads yet

 

[MONC440]

So I talked with my father in law and he said finding a anodizer is the hardest part of the equation. Most of the old school ones are closed.

He did give me his friends number with the inventory of trim. I called him and he said he has a bunch of Mopar trim and said I could come over and check out his inventory. I will be going over this week and report back.

 

[Big_John]

o I talked with my father in law and he said finding a anodizer is the hardest part of the equation. Most of the old school ones are closed.

I got into a pretty good online argument with a guy that was advertising trim restoration when I asked about anodizing. He was removing it, but not re-anodizing after repair and polishing. My argument was that he can't advertise "restoration".

That said.... I did a lot of work on the trim pieces on my '70 300. I removed the anodizing with cheap oven cleaner. (has to be the cheap stuff so it has lye in it) and then I repaired the dings and buffed it. I also did the stainless steel bits, but obviously no anodizing. I can't say it was a lot of fun, and I launched more than one piece of trim across the shop while buffing, but it all looks better than it did.

When done, I just waxed it and it's been 10 years and it still looks good. Of course, the car doesn't get driven on salty roads, so that probably helps a lot.

 

[MONC440]

I got into a pretty good online argument with a guy that was advertising trim restoration when I asked about anodizing. He was removing it, but not re-anodizing after repair and polishing. My argument was that he can't advertise "restoration".

That said.... I did a lot of work on the trim pieces on my '70 300. I removed the anodizing with cheap oven cleaner. (has to be the cheap stuff so it has lye in it) and then I repaired the dings and buffed it. I also did the stainless steel bits, but obviously no anodizing. I can't say it was a lot of fun, and I launched more than one piece of trim across the shop while buffing, but it all looks better than it did.

When done, I just waxed it and it's been 10 years and it still looks good. Of course, the car doesn't get driven on salty roads, so that probably helps a lot.

No the trim that guy is selling is most certainly NOT restored.

My FIL says if you don't have an anodizer you don't got ****.

He stopped doing trim restro 3 different times, the first 2 were because he lost his anodizer, the last time was because he had health issues. He also said not all anodizers are the same, he always had one that would do what was called "bright dip" which is a pretreatment that gives the trim a show quality shine and makes sure the trim doesn't have any anodizing stains. I asked him what to do if you can't find an anodizer and he said paint it or buff it and clear it but he would never sell anything like that.

IMO yes buffed aluminum will hold up without anodizing but it is work to keep it polished. Also without anodizing the aluminum will corrode anyplace you have a metal fastener. Stainless does not need anything.

 

[Sixpactogo]

Try this guy. Bill Petrow. He does the re-anodizing as well.
Special T's Unlimited

 

[Big_John]

No the trim that guy is selling is most certainly NOT restored.

My FIL says if you don't have an anodizer you don't got ****.

He stopped doing trim restro 3 different times, the first 2 were because he lost his anodizer, the last time was because he had health issues. He also said not all anodizers are the same, he always had one that would do what was called "bright dip" which is a pretreatment that gives the trim a show quality shine and makes sure the trim doesn't have any anodizing stains. I asked him what to do if you can't find an anodizer and he said paint it or buff it and clear it but he would never sell anything like that.

IMO yes buffed aluminum will hold up without anodizing but it is work to keep it polished. Also without anodizing the aluminum will corrode anyplace you have a metal fastener. Stainless does not need anything.

You are correct. Anodizing is fairly easy (you can do it at home) but the issue is finding someone that can do the bright dip portion of the process and do it right. Then the equipment has to be large enough to do something like a rocker molding.

When I buffed my trim, I was familiar with anodizing, but didn't know much about the bright dip process. I read up on it and with nothing in the area that could do a small lot of bright dip, I didn't have much choice. I did some more research and everything kind of lead to "just expect to do more polishing" when it came to skipping the bright dip/anodize process.

As it turns out, I haven't had much upkeep with the aluminum trim. That's probably because of the modern polishes I use on the entire car and the car's limited use. YMMV.

I would expect a professional shop to anodize the trim though.