Taking Up New Residence

[malex]

Kid .. Do you have any tricks or tips you would care to share on cleaning up your anodized, or stainless trim? Each may require its own method. Curious as to how you are getting your exceptional results ! Thanks
Thunder

Anyone looking to strip anodizing give this a shot. Hardware stores sell it. Fast and economical.

 

[khryslerkid]

Kid .. Do you have any tricks or tips you would care to share on cleaning up your anodized, or stainless trim? Each may require its own method. Curious as to how you are getting your exceptional results ! Thanks
Thunder

I know, I'm being a smart ***.

The aluminum pieces, grill and the inner headlight bensils were anodized. Very hard coating. There wasn't much I could do with them but use the heavier compound on them. The one cleaned up better than the other. I bought some aluminum cleaner (acid) but didn't get a chance to try it out on something. Need to test it before using it on a good piece.

Here's a dent that I pushed back out, then took a file to it and graded up through the sandpaper grits, then polish. You can see the coating is missing. It's the best that I could do without having the whole grill re dipped.

The stainless is kind of new for me as far as hammering out the dents. I'm not use to that thin of a material but I have polished it before.

I found this piece of railroad rail and always wanted to clean it up for a anvil, so that's what I did today. It should come in handy for working this trim.

 

[khryslerkid]

Anyone looking to strip anodizing give this a shot. Hardware stores sell it. Fast and economical.
View attachment 537565

So your saying to strip it and just polish the bare aluminum once removed?

 

[malex]

So your saying to strip it and just polish the bare aluminum once removed?

Yes that's correct. The Lye crystals will completely strip the anodizing off. Mix in cold water as per instructions, the water will warm itself up. Once you place a piece in, in a minute or 2 it will be gurgling and smouldering.
A rear tail panel piece submerged in the picture below. It's a clear picture, that is just the fizzing that's going on. From there you can finish off with some sanding, repairs, then give it a buff. Try out an old piece. The bottle in the previous picture is 6 or 7 bucks I recall.

The lower headlight door was dipped in the lye crystals.

If you've been labouring away with oven cleaner the 100% pure lye crystals will be a treat.

 

[62 Dart Convertible]

Looking good Kid! I really enjoy your methodical approach.
Did your original headlight wiring go back with a clean up or did you re-wrap it?
Look after those front indicator lenses - unicorn baby teeth there!

 

[khryslerkid]

Looking good Kid! I really enjoy your methodical approach.
Did your original headlight wiring go back with a clean up or did you re-wrap it?
Look after those front indicator lenses - unicorn baby teeth there!

Thanks Frank. The original harness was is good shape, flexible. The only place I re-wrapped it was where the cloth tape was. Left it alone and just wrapped over it. (Post #382)

Those lenses have always been that way. I will remove mine one more time to touch up the chrome. There's a couple of spots missing, flaked off on the inside. I'm thinking I can get by with some chrome model paint and a brush.

 

[oldbee]

I admire your perseverance. I get discouraged way too soon.

 

[khryslerkid]

I admire your perseverance. I get discouraged way too soon.

Even I have to take a break from it. Find something else to get into for awhile, then come back to it with a fresh mind. The RA gets out of hand also so a break is always welcomed. Now I have all winter to get things done. No pressure until Spring gets here.

 

[62 Dart Convertible]

Thanks Frank. The original harness was is good shape, flexible. The only place I re-wrapped it was where the cloth tape was. Left it alone and just wrapped over it. (Post #382)

Those lenses have always been that way. I will remove mine one more time to touch up the chrome. There's a couple of spots missing, flaked off on the inside. I'm thinking I can get by with some chrome model paint and a brush.

When removing lenses, place mattress underneath in case you drop and break one...

Even I have to take a break from it. Find something else to get into for awhile, then come back to it with a fresh mind. The RA gets out of hand also so a break is always welcomed. Now I have all winter to get things done. No pressure until Spring gets here.

Inspirational!

 

[khryslerkid]

Picked out the better trim pieces and proceeded to straighten, sand and polish. This is a job for someone with a strong back and fingers!

I'll post pics in progression, hammered out dent, file, 220 grit, 320 grit, 400 grit, 600 grit, 800 grit, 1500 grit, 2000 grit.

 

[khryslerkid]

This is another piece that needed some attention.
Before

During

After

Used a wheel on the bench grinder and black Rouge first, then green. Then used green again on a loose cloth wheel.

Any scratches and there were plenty, I just sanded them out with the appropriate grit and buffed the whole piece.

 

[khryslerkid]

Then all of the hardware and clips needed cleaned up. Here is how many are needed. The upper curved pieces use three different size clips.

I found these on ebay. He's in Florida and I received them in two days. Great prices!

Installed all of the pieces.

Looks like it could use a bumper.

Sanded the rusty inside and coated with Rust-Oleum High Heat black.

More fkn polishing!

That's a little better. The bumper has its battle scars and it's just going to have to do. It's a "Driver" and 55 years old!

 

[malex]

Then all of the hardware and clips needed cleaned up. Here is how many are needed. The upper curved pieces use three different size clips.
View attachment 539779
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I found these on ebay. He's in Florida and I received them in two days. Great prices!
View attachment 539781

Installed all of the pieces.
View attachment 539782

Looks like it could use a bumper.
View attachment 539783

Sanded the rusty inside and coated with Rust-Oleum High Heat black.
View attachment 539784

More fkn polishing!
View attachment 539785

That's a little better. The bumper has its battle scars and it's just going to have to do. It's a "Driver" and 55 years old!
View attachment 539786
View attachment 539788

Mr. Kid. I admire your drive, determination and perfection that you put into every piece that you touch. You did a fantastic job on that dented piece of stainless too man. Always look forward to seeing what you're up to when you post!

 

[khryslerkid]

On to the headliner. (No, none of the pieces are for sale!)

Don't know what kind of bugs make these?

I dont know why they don't fasten the light into the frame of the roof. It's just mounted in the hardboard.

Tagging and bagging all the hardware.

 

[khryslerkid]

Finding lots of small items and hardware.

Removing the panels from front to back.

Removing the plastic trim is a little nervy.

There are paint markings for where they go.

 

[oldbee]

On to the headliner. (No, none of the pieces are for sale!)
View attachment 540772
View attachment 540773
View attachment 540779
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Don't know what kind of bugs make these?
View attachment 540776

I dont know why they don't fasten the light into the frame of the roof. It's just mounted in the hardboard.
View attachment 540780
View attachment 540781

Tagging and bagging all the hardware.
View attachment 540783

Dome light is just easier that way! Wasn’t expected to last for more than 10-20 years!

 

[khryslerkid]

Needed to remove the rear seat and side pieces to get the last panel out.

I had forgotten about these clips. Not your normal c-clips like on the newer cars.

Pry back and use a screwdriver to press the clip sideways to release the square clip from its groove in the shaft.

You can also use a pick to pull the clip to the opposite side to release.

This is how they look. Every handle is made the same so the spring is released only in one direction.

Removing the side pieces there are three clips on the leading edge.

 

[khryslerkid]

Back to the last piece of the headliner.

I knew I couldn't get by without finding one of these. It comes with the territory! They've been gone for many years.

Storing and organizing everything on top for now.

There are stainless steel straps that serve as a divider and the rail for the plastic trim to fasten to.

They are color coded also for location.

The jute looked reusable if it wasn't for the one pesky critter that had to tear a couple of pieces up.

There are notches on this side of the boards, 1, 2, 3, 4 for ID

A little sanding and some paint

I'm seeing more polishing in my future

 

[khryslerkid]

I've researched these hardboard headliners and did find that REM has them. I need to contact them for more info. Looks like they only have vinyl material for them when mine had a simulated corduroy look to it.

https://www.ebay.com/p/62-Dodge-Polara-2-Door-Hardtop-Headliner-Perforated-Wood/852099098

http://www.jegs.com/i/REM-Automotive/810/DOD-HLR-310/10002/-1

Colors available... (I'll use white if no other material is available.)

I have many more pictures of the removal if anyone would like more details.

 

[oldbee]

Don’t ya just love them “pesky critters”? As Robert Duvall used to say- “I love the smell of napalm in the morning”...