Hello everyone. May side trim has deep scratches. Can these be fixed or has anyone fabricated new ones. Or (ha ha) can they be bought in the aftermarket. Thanks for the info

 

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...-diehards.html

 

I've got some that need a little TLC, but they're decent. PM me if you're interested.

 

In order to fix the scratches you have to etch the aluminum panels. This will remove most of the line definition and eats the silicone composition in the material as well. When you try to fix the lines, you are cutting into new material and there will be a blotchy finish when re-annodized. If you are only fixing one panel they will not match the rest of the set. Yes, these panels are being reproduced. Go to www.jaswest.com.

Steve

 

There is little or no way to repair those aluminum side panels when deeply gouged or scratched.

There were originally four Reynolds Aluminum plants which produced side panels for Olds. They are what is known as an embossed product, meaning the ridges were placed into the aluminum under extreme pressure. The tooling at the various Reynolds plants was not exactly the same resulting in some panels having ridges being more pronounced or wider apart than those from other plants. The raw uncut embossed aluminum came in 2 foot wide material and was originally sold by Reynolds as an architectural product. There is also a very slightly gray tinted lacquer coating on the panels (they were not anodized) to protect them from corrosion.

There is a Canadian Company reproducing the panels, but hang on to your wallet as a full set will run something over 3 grand if my memory serves me correctly.

For general information, early 1962 production in one or more Olds plants did not have the stainless center accent later used in all plants. The Canadian firm sells the panels both with and without the holes for the stainless center accent (door guard) trim.

 

Thanks everyone for the information. I did look up the aftermarket company and your right about 3 grand for the trim. Mine are scratched so deep I think it will be hard to fix. But I will have the save for a few months to buy new ones. Has anyone just painted that area with the same color paint as the trim with any luck. Thanks Tom

 

Tom if you are not in too big a rush, keep your eye on eBay as from time to time decent trim panels do show up. They won't be real cheap and more than likely will not be perfect after nearly 50 years. At some point in time when things cool off a bit temperature wise I'll be removing the trim panels from a parts car I have. About half of the pieces are in pretty good shape. Which are the pieces you need to replace the most?

As for your idea of painting the area now covered by those panels, that's not a bad idea if your car is one of early production without the holes for the narrow stainless trim that somewhat protected the aluminum panels from door dings. Of course the holes can always be filled or the narrow trim used with paint. A fine particle silver metallic would look great there in my opinion. Of course if you wanted to totally forget the silver look, with some colors a fine particle gold metallic would really set off the car better than the silver. Of course painting that area throws originality to the wind. But as I often say; "It's my S.O.B. and I do with it what I want!"

Jim

 

When you get a chance to look at your parts car the piece I need is the drivers front without a bead. The pieces on the doors and quarter panels have the bead. I am also looking for the little stainless piece on the passenger side door next to the key hole. It looks like it may be 2 inches long. Thanks

 

I have stated in another post about NOS aluminum side panels for '62 - What is the use to buy a NOS piece when 5 other panels look like crap? These brushed side panels ( visually ) are what make a Starfire a Starfire

 

Tom I'll take a look at it tomorrow and Email you a photo as well. As best as I can recall that driver side front panel is basically unmolested. I think I may also have one that is already off that is decent as well. The only issue might be whether the one's I have were made with the same tooling as the rest of the one's on that side of your car. I've seen panels produced from different tooling mixed on the same side of a car and it doesn't look good at all. Actually, the difference almost screams at you.

 

I don't think anyone would disagree with that statement, especially when there is a huge possibility the embossing may not be the same. Mismatched embossing on the same side of the car just flat look like heck. With only a 1 in 4 chance a single NOS or current reproduction panel would match what is already on a car it could be a pretty expensive gamble.

Without the embossed panels, a Starfire external very quickly resembles a 98 Holiday coup.