Grant1424

I would like to know if anyone has restrored the head light bezels on a 72 Cutlass. These are the ones with the black surround and chrome trim. The ones I have are complete but I would like to freshen them up, I just purchased a 442 Grille. I wanted some thoughts on how to clean or restore the chrome trim and if I could just re-paint the black portion, or if there is a special paint I could use. I have attached and older picture. I have replaced the headlights since this photo but to give you an idea.

scott_442

Yeah, I've done a few sets of these. Depends on how far you want to go with them. I usually use a liquid paint stripper to get rid of all the old paint and then respray and use a buffer to remove the paint from the edge. They turn out pretty nice like this. Since they are anodized aluminum, polishing them won't change the appearance much unless you want to take the extra step of sanding off the anodizing just on the exposed edge and then polishing to a high chrome-like luster. This takes some time as you'll have to step through many diff grits of paper to get that high luster ... maybe like 220 - 1500. And then put on a few coats of clear to protect. I have also done a set like this and the result was quite nice although I don't think anybody noticed except me . Good luck and have fun with it!

rcrac3r

We re-did ours. Used a good gloss black paint & then buffed off the edge. Not exactly "Chip Foose" but they look ok.

Grant1424

Thanks to you both for this great information!! I will go with the liquid paint stripper and then repaint the black part and buff out the chrome edge. Can you tell me what type / brand of paint to use? Is it applied using a spray can?

scott_442

Good quality spray can is fine. Dupli-Color, Rustoleum, Krylon, etc. You'll need to decide which shade of black you prefer. Factory appearance was probably closer to flat but both satin and gloss will work also. Might consider a primer also to help with adhesion.

Grant1424

Great!! Thanks again Scott!