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1969 Coronet RT Tail Panel

193rdsow

193rdsow

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since 3 light tail panels on the Coronet are not reproduced, can anyone advise on how to restore an original tail panel? Were they chromed originally or just polished aluminum? Any recommendations for someone that can restore these panels?
 
I have done two on two different Superbees.

They are an anodized aluminum. If you can find one that the anodizing is still in good shape, you can them strip it gently (Oven cleaner worked when I did it, using lots of water). Then you sit at the kitchen table with masking tape and an exacto knife (being careful not to cut in to the aluminum if possible) and start masking prior to giving a nice light spray of the black.
 
Thanks! I have light weathering and a few light scratches in the metal. Any way to polish them out? Can the aluminum be reanodized?
 
193rdsow said:
Thanks! I have light weathering and a few light scratches in the metal. Any way to polish them out? Can the aluminum be reanodized?
Click to expand...
Yes, and it is expensive....

Mchnicol's anodizing

King of Trim

I have used both for different pieces...
 
The aluminum will need to be stripped of paint and anodizing before any repairs are made (dents, scratches). Once that is done a shop that does bright dipping will do the anodizing like the factory did. Then comes the meticulous task of masking and painting. All this can be very, very expensive. But you will have a nicer than most tail panel. But you are not done, yet. You have to polish the center lens which involves drilling out rivets on the back of the lens bracket for removal; this has to be done prior to stripping/re-anodizing. Be careful, though, too much heat will warp the plastic and 50 year old plastic can be brittle and crack before you're done. And these lenses are rare as hens teeth.

You have a rare Coronet there and nothing 69 R/T specific will be inexpensive if done right.
 
Thank you all for the advice! I had no idea how rare these pieces are so I will be extra careful in removal and installation. I will also be watching for spares.

E9A8370D-7D2D-44A9-A069-783D8FDF3ECF.JPG
 
The tail panel was used on both the Coronet 500 and the R/T. While they are not as plentiful as the Coronet 440/Super Bee style, the are not particularly "rare" to find.

Source one just like you would any other part: watch parts for sale ads, hit large Mopar swap meets, etc. (I had three to chose from at the 2015 Mn Mopar show and saw several at Carlisle in 2015 & 2016 so they do come up for sale.) As with any other part, price will be equal to condition. Good ones will "not be cheap. Expect to pay several hundred dollars for one in nice shape needing little resto work. Buy the best one you can find.

They are aluminum so they can be easily damaged. Expect to find damage and crease marks on used ones, especially around the key hole. Repair cost will be equal to the amount of damage. Repair cost can exceed the purchase price. Pass on heavily damaged ones and keep looking.

They can be cumbersome to carefully transport and ship. If you find one, make sure you can safely transport it and store it.

Written from experience. Glad I waited to find a good one.
 
After reading this thread I feel fortunate to have the unrestored one that came on my car from the factory.

IMG_0095 (Large).JPG
 
69Coronetrt said:
The tail panel was used on both the Coronet 500 and the R/T. While they are not as plentiful as the Coronet 440/Super Bee style, the are not particularly "rare" to find.

Source one just like you would any other part: watch parts for sale ads, hit large Mopar swap meets, etc. (I had three to chose from at the 2015 Mn Mopar show and saw several at Carlisle in 2015 & 2016 so they do come up for sale.) As with any other part, price will be equal to condition. Good ones will "not be cheap. Expect to pay several hundred dollars for one in nice shape needing little resto work. Buy the best one you can find.

They are aluminum so they can be easily damaged. Expect to find damage and crease marks on used ones, especially around the key hole. Repair cost will be equal to the amount of damage. Repair cost can exceed the purchase price. Pass on heavily damaged ones and keep looking.

They can be cumbersome to carefully transport and ship. If you find one, make sure you can safely transport it and store it.

Written from experience. Glad I waited to find a good one.
Click to expand...
Did you have yours anodized?
 
Bought one for a spare. $400. Fair condition. Sold it for $400 to someone who needed one.
Mine is the original, but weathered and a mediocre tape job before the spray. Looks ok from a distance. Damage free shipping is an issue.
 
Dennis H said:
Bought one for a spare. $400. Fair condition. Sold it for $400 to someone who needed one.
Mine is the original, but weathered and a mediocre tape job before the spray. Looks ok from a distance. Damage free shipping is an issue.
Click to expand...
Didn't You have 5.7 hemi do a grille & headlight surrounds for a 69 Coro?
193rdsow said:
since 3 light tail panels on the Coronet are not reproduced, can anyone advise on how to restore an original tail panel? Were they chromed originally or just polished aluminum? Any recommendations for someone that can restore these panels?
Click to expand...
Here on fbbo.....5.7 hemi.
 
I've removed a fair bit of anodizing and what works best is Pure 100% Lye Crystals. You can buy it from hardware stores and it's inexpensive. Just add it to cool/cold water as per instructions. If I recall correctly I think the water temperature increased about 15 degrees once the lye was added.
Here's a picture of a rear tail light panel that I did. Drop your piece in and watch it fizzle away. I gave the pieces a periodic scuff with a toothbrush and that helped speed the process. It sure didnt take long though. 15 - 20 minutes. Compared to oven cleaner it's a piece of cake. Cleans the hell out the garage floor too!

IMG_1015.JPG

When the panel hits the mix things start bubbling..
IMG_4458.JPG


IMG_1042.JPG

Once the piece comes out it's ready to hit with the polisher.
Good luck.
 
69Coronetrt said:
No. Mine is currently a spare. I try to collect parts JIC of deer, teen texters, blue hairs, etc. I'd still like to find a nice bulge hood.
Click to expand...

I just happen to have a sound bulge hood from a 69RT that I got parts from in the eighties.
Maybe it would be what you are looking for. If not I at least need to get it back into the light to reevaluate it.
Let me know what condition you hope for.
A killer for stuff like this is shipping issues.:eek:---I am in Oregon.
 
69Coronetrt said:
No. Mine is currently a spare. I try to collect parts JIC of deer, teen texters, blue hairs, etc. I'd still like to find a nice bulge hood.
Click to expand...
When you reference the cost to restore one....the price to anodize FAR exceeds the cost of that panel...
 
I was quoted $2500 from Advanced plating to restore mine. I politely declined and had it polished, instead.
 
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