I have a question for anybody out there who might know. My Maverick came from a young guy in Ohio, and it had been painted a darker blue than the original, looks like he taped a few areas first, then just shot the whole thing, the side window trim and "boomerangs" are all a matching color, now, I was under the impression that the side window trim came from the factory in a chrome type finish, is this correct? I would like to strip these down to the chrome but I'm afraid of ruining them. Any thoughts?
Most of the trim is stainless steel. Which can be sanded with 1000-2000 grit and polished back to normal appearance, but it takes gobs of time. The bomerangs are chrome covered pot metal which will probably were ruined if they were sanded and painted. Also I know on at least 71-72 the rear window trim is aluminum, coated with fairly thin chrome, its not thick enough to sand and polish in most cases.
Yes, the front and rear trims on mine are aluminum with a chrome finish, still in really nice shape, that's what led me to believe there should be something similar hiding under the paint on those sides. I did a little "scratch test" on one to see, and it looks pretty shiny underneath. What do you think I should use to remove the paint on them first without damaging whatever is underneath, 1000 to 2000 would probably cause my arm to fall off before I even saw any metal!
When I got my 76' Aspen all the chrome was painted black. I wanted it orig. so I removed it & stripped it using Sherwin Williams spray on paint stripper & 000 steel wool. After alot of elbow grease and stripper I then buffed the pieces. Being painted really kept them nice the guy did me a favor (in a way). I wouldn't try to strip them on the car it takes a couple times of spraying them and they will need to be buffed. Good Luck!!!
Make that OOOO steel wool instead! And you might even try an airplane paint stripper if you are taking em off -- the paint just rolls off. I used it to strip my sportlamp bezels and some other parts--but those all were pot-metal. Hence Elbow effort with OOOO steel wool should do it if you are leaving 'em on! Good luck and post some before and after pics if you get a chance! Im sure all would love to see.
I'm pretty sure they'll be staying on for the job....I'm too paranoid to take anything apart for fear I can't get it back together
Boomerangs come off with 1 screw and one nut. The screw you can see. The nut, as i remember, is accessable when you take the rear plastic side panel off. just reach around up inside where you think it is. Don't pry or pull on it. it will come out if you get the fasteners off
Hmmm never tried it that way. 11/32 is the nut size if that helps any. Sure would be easier to strip with it off
I've been wondering the same question for a while, since mine have been painted to....If you take before and after pics, please post 'em. Hope it goes well for you!
If it were me and I was going to pull them off I would seriously look at buying a set that hadn't been painted. It just seems easier than trying to strip them only to find they look like hell.
Acetone will remove the paint off of your trim,with no damage to it. If you don`t want to remove the trim,be VERY careful not to get any on the car.It will remove the paint in short order! I would remove the trim.
Okay, so to clarify something...windshield/rear window trim are anodized aluminum, and the door/louvred windows are stainless steel? So either the pictures I've seen are of HIGHLY buffed stainless or they've been chromed aftermarket, yes?