I was told by stainless guy that the stainless used in manufacturing the rocker moldings is harder that the other stainless moldings on the car. He said that GM did this as the rockers would be subject to rocks, etc. hitting there. I was going to drop a pair off to him to restore but he didn't/wouldn't take them. He has been doing stainless for 20 years. He said that it is his experience after knocking the dents out and sanding then buffing that while buffing those places would bubble up. Anybody have any suggestions or know of a shop that does these? They are the 70-2 rocker moldings. Thanks, steve
How badly are they dinged up? If just scratches, you can rub out the scratches with 00 or 000 steel wool and then finish off with either a buffing wheel or 0000. And, I never painted my rocker moldings. Tomato Red or black striping tape (1/4" or 3/16, I recall) will fit perfectly in the grooves of the molding and it's nearly impossible to tell the difference from painted stripes.
I'd find another guy. Had mine polished last year and they're beautiful. More than likely he just doesn't want to mess with them being they're so long and hard to handle while buffing.
Steve: You might give this young man a call: Georgia's Matthew Burnett. Matthew has been doing excellent work within Studebaker circles since an "old salt" trained him and handed an established business over to him in 2009 upon the older gentleman's retirement from polishing. Matthew would not take on something he felt he was unable to do, and you can see his work on his modest website: http://georgiastudebaker.com/starlight_stainless.htm Matthew probably has more positive references than you could check out in one afternoon. :bglasses: Best. BP
Bob, I will give Matthew a call or email. I had also emailed a guy in New York that was recommended by a board member/ moderator and he shys away from them as well. I always wondered if the repos were decent or not? BTW, they aren't bad, but dents must be addressed before buffing and polishing.
Steve, the rockers are a much better quality than the other stainless trim. In fact, you can carefully tap the dents out and refinish them yourself. There are some threads on how its done. Might be worth a try and if it fails..send em out. I thought mine were history, but they came back really nice.
The guy who buffed mine had to sand them first as they take lots of abuse over the years. They came out nice however.
Jim, He was the first guy I contacted by email. He said he tries to stay away from doing them now, but he said to call him to discuss.
OPG, yearone, and the parts place, ebay Tamraz all have them I would guess good quality, but mine just needed a shine so I am buffing them out and yes it's a lot of work Had a guy give me a quote to restore and he wanted almost $300 each to buff and restore, Just checked my opg catalog and they are $363 for the pair
One of the big reasons shops are reluctant to polish these is that when you polish them with a buffing wheel you generate heat. When too much heat is generated on a thin, wide, long piece it tends to warp. I have ruined an otherwise nice rocker molding by pushing too hard on the piece and overheating/warping it. I'm sure that some of the professional shops have run into this and are not wanting to take on the liability of possibly replacing your part.
Steve I suspect only one place makes the repros. They are then sold by many palces. Maybe 10 years ago I bought some from YO. I suspect they may have commissioned their reproduction again. They were nice repros. I would avoid YO for the purchase because of their packing and shipping costs. Ask Reeves or David Walker what they charge shipped.
