Has anyone restored the black-out paint on '63 or '64 tail light panels?
Have recently seen a couple very nice restorations that were very clean. Racking my brain trying to determine how it's done well. Thought about masking those 5 million chromed raised 'bumps' but don't want to take X-Acto knife to aluminum and scratch it up.
Joe
Tail Light Panel Restoration
- Joe Travers
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Re: Tail Light Panel Restoration
Joe,Joe Travers wrote: ↑Mon Jan 09, 2023 8:25 pmHas anyone restored the black-out paint on '63 or '64 tail light panels?
Have recently seen a couple very nice restorations that were very clean. Racking my brain trying to determine how it's done well. Thought about masking those 5 million chromed raised 'bumps' but don't want to take X-Acto knife to aluminum and scratch it up.
Joe
I have seen this advertised but have no experience with it.
https://graphic-express.com/products/19 ... 5729349731
I have been looking for a new old stock pair of panels for a while, mine are very nice but of course I want better. I am not familiar with what a ‘63 1/2 has but maybe the company who makes the ‘64 kit has something for a ‘63 1/2.
Jim
- Joe Travers
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Re: Tail Light Panel Restoration
Thanks, Jim. I don't see vinyl listed but I'll give them a call. Here's the '63 Custom like mine-A/FX wrote: ↑Mon Jan 09, 2023 9:17 pmJoe,
I have seen this advertised but have no experience with it.
https://graphic-express.com/products/19 ... 5729349731
I have been looking for a new old stock pair of panels for a while, mine are very nice but of course I want better. I am not familiar with what a ‘63 1/2 has but maybe the company who makes the ‘64 kit has something for a ‘63 1/2.
Jim
Come to think of it, the '63s I saw were S-22. They should be easier to restore than Custom, just horizontal (excluding vertical). The black is inset like the '64, reason I lumped them together.
Joe
Re: Tail Light Panel Restoration
I did mine years ago. The anodizing was decent but the paint was tired.
Tidied the the bright work best I could then used fine pin stripping tape to separate the painted areas. Scuffed it a bit and paint. Still decent driver looking 20 years later.
Most of the other aluminum bright work except the inlay I had deanodized and polished. A little more maintenance but I like it better.
Tidied the the bright work best I could then used fine pin stripping tape to separate the painted areas. Scuffed it a bit and paint. Still decent driver looking 20 years later.
Most of the other aluminum bright work except the inlay I had deanodized and polished. A little more maintenance but I like it better.
- Joe Travers
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Re: Tail Light Panel Restoration
Pre-cutting 1/8" pin striping tape would work to mask, Fred. Wouldn't have to trim after application, nicking the panels.
There are 286 strips to cut plus the outer and inner trim.
Maybe mask in two axis (1/8" vertical, 1 1/8" horizontal) and spray twice
Wet-sand paint lines after they dry?
Joe
Re: Tail Light Panel Restoration
I dont think I did any wet sanding. Spray can paint wouldn't like it anyway, plus for the 64 anyway the finish would be wrong.
A job best done while recovering from a personal mobility issue,, tedious, time consuming, annoying, plus additional adjectives job! lol
If you tackle it be sure to post procedures, results.
A job best done while recovering from a personal mobility issue,, tedious, time consuming, annoying, plus additional adjectives job! lol
If you tackle it be sure to post procedures, results.
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Re: Tail Light Panel Restoration
Might be pricey, but maybe a graphics shop or maybe someone that paints portrait's could paint the black freehand. Or one of those guys that do pinstripes on cars. Some of those guys are amazing.
Just some ideas.
Lou
Just some ideas.
Lou
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- Joe Travers
- Posts: 2460
- Joined: Mon Sep 21, 2020 6:23 pm
- Location: Louisiana
Re: Tail Light Panel Restoration
If I masked and sprayed in two steps, I may have paint lines between the corners where the spray overlaps.SASSY wrote: ↑Tue Jan 10, 2023 8:02 amI dont think I did any wet sanding. Spray can paint wouldn't like it anyway, plus for the 64 anyway the finish would be wrong.
A job best done while recovering from a personal mobility issue,, tedious, time consuming, annoying, plus additional adjectives job! lol
If you tackle it be sure to post procedures, results.
Pulled a Jim just before Christmas, so yeah no better time as soon as the weather is right. Will definitely document it for the record.
I do have a old friend that still works for a graphics company & he's one heck of an artist.
Thanks guys!
Joe