Hello, I was wondering if anyone knew if the 16” plastic armrest bases were reproduced. I’ve found the 16” armrest pads. For example: http://www.oldbuickparts.com/product_info.php?products_id=8642 https://www.yearone.com/Product/196...70-1971-1972-buick-skylark-gs-parts/afp69m37p But for reproduction bases I seem to only find the short 12” ones. To make matters worse, my interior is white, which seems to be even more difficult to find. My bases seemed to have yellowed quite a bit. The RH passenger side seems to be in good shape except for the yellowing but the LH driver side has some cracks in it. Attached are a few example photos. I was thinking of attempting to use retrobrighting to remove the yellowing (hydrogen peroxide plus UV light). See I saw in a couple threads where people talked about getting black bases and painting them. Is that what most do? I’ve ordered reproduction 16” white pads from YearOne but can’t find the 16” bases. Also does anyone know the part numbers for the bases, LH and RH? Are part numbers different for different colors? I have a part number of 7743692 for a RH passenger black base that came off of a 68 2dr Impala. Thanks.
They're not reproduced. The white tends to get chalky - No saving them at that point. Best to get another color & dye/paint although I believe I have one (1) nice/not chalky white one I'd sell. Not sure which side. I can check but won't be until at least Tuesday.
If they are not chalky, repaint them or a different set as mentioned above. I have to repaint my white seat backs 20 years ago and they still look good. I think I used SEM paint. If you are handy with a spray gun you can have a paint shop mix it for you to match some of the other good interior parts.
Little off topic, I apologize, but does that "chalky" part also count for seats? As long as I remember the back of my seats are chalky. I'm almost to the point to restore my interior, but should I look for replacement seats?
Seat backs are also plastic so if they are chalky they should be replaced. Mine were discolored and repainted just fine, but they were not chalky. Maybe someone with experience with chalky plastic can chime in if they have a way of saving them. I believe the chalky finish is from the plastic breaking down.
The armrests are available in black only and will have to painted to match. 68-70 Impala uses the same armrest. You will have to reuse your stainless trim. https://www.classicindustries.com/product/7755938.html https://www.classicindustries.com/product/1968/chevrolet/impala/parts/7755939.html Pads are available here: https://www.classicchevy.com/full-size-chevy-armrest-pads-front-impala-1968-1970-40-243497-1.html
These may be seatbacks. $84 for a new pair. https://www.opgi.com/interior-acces...1969-72-gm-full-size-bucket-pair-chv1001.html
This is great advice. Next question, does anyone know the SEM paint codes to use for 68 white? I’ve also seen it referred as “frost white.”
I'd be cautious about buying the repro armrest pads. I bought them a while back and they were horrible. http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/pui-16-arm-rest-pads.235189/
Thanks for the advice. I ordered white pads from YearOne last week. Not here yet. We will see. I also have a set of original blue 16 inch armrest bases and pads that I found (LH and RH). I also found a RH black base and pad that I bought. If white pads don’t work out, I will maybe paint the blue ones or try to find a drivers black one to match the passenger black one I got 2 weeks ago and paint those.
I brought an original to my local upholstery guy and he rewrapped the core in new vinyl. Came out really nice
By core, you mean the plastic base? So your bases are now vinyl covered in your interior color? That sounds nice. Better match to seats I think.
I will be curious to hear your report on those repros from Year One. They are the only place I have found the Parchment colored ones.