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Anyone have a '70 Charger Finish Panels Restoration Service

rklewis1005

rklewis1005

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I was wondering if anyone does restorations on these 70 Charger Finish Panels or knows of someone who restores them?

I've been working on mine and have painted it twice so far. I'm trying to replicate the anodized finish with paint, and it's a major PITA. When I tape off the Organisol paint, it leaves a bit of residue behind - you can see where the tape was. I even let it cure for 10 days, and it still happened a bit. I'm considering stripping it down, painting it all back (organisol) or maybe all silver first, letting it cure for 2 weeks, then clear coating with some 2K Satin clear coat. After the clear coat hardens (a few days), mask off the stripe, gently sand with 600 grit to help the paint adhere, then paint the other color. Finally, wait 2 more weeks for that paint to cure, then clear coat again.

Before I start down that road, I thought I'd ask if anyone professionally restores them with anodizing, etc (the right way).

Thanks in advance for any info!
Ross
 
For '70 Charger finish panel restoration (taillight panel/trim) near Columbia, SC, specializing in classic Mopar restoration is key. Top options include
Dream Works Muscle and Classics Inc in West Columbia, Lowcountry Paint, Body & Restoration, or Classic & Restorable Cars in West Columbia. They can handle the intricate cleaning, polishing, or painting required for these, especially if they are the textured Argent Silver or chrome-edged panels.
 
Top shops for 1970 Charger finish panel restoration near Charlotte, SC, include
Vintage Cars, Inc. (Fort Mill, SC) and Quarter Mile Muscle (Charlotte, NC), specializing in muscle car trim, bodywork, and full restorations. These specialists handle detailed trim refurbishment, media blasting, and custom paint for classic Mopars.
Top Local Restoration Services
  • Vintage Cars, Inc. (Fort Mill, SC): Located just south of Charlotte, they offer full or partial restorations and specialize in classic, muscle car projects.
  • Quarter Mile Muscle (Charlotte, NC): They provide full, professional restorations including bodywork, paint, and trim/panel restoration.
  • WRG Paint & Body (Charlotte, NC): Offers classic car restoration services, including sourcing or repairing specialized parts.
 
You can do it Ross, use 3m regular blue tape and dont wait so long.
1775002505396.png
 
davek said:
You can do it Ross, use 3m regular blue tape and dont wait so long. View attachment 2016489
Click to expand...

I will. I'm considering getting the extensions for my bench grinder & buffer wheels (need them for polishing trim anyway). Maybe I can strip the paint & polish it up so the stripe only needs clear after the black paint Either way, I'm likely stripping the paint in the morning to give it another shot.
 
Check this guy out. If I remember correctly he used to vend a Carlisle and restored a lot of aluminum grills and finish panels. He had a lot of restored Mopar parts. He may do your finish panel.

IMG_0015.jpeg
 
I’m interested in doing this as well. Here’s what I discovered.

- The anodizing has to be removed and the panel stripped.

- clean the panel with degreasers and hot water

- A crystal Lye toilet bowl unplug toilets will work. With hot water and plastic sewer tube would work. ( Sodium Hydroxide ). You have to check on it continuously so it doesn’t eat the panel. (DO it outside fumes )

- the aluminum scratches or dents need to be removed through sanding, then polished to be anodized again.

- Bowers anodizing can refinish the anodizing on the panel.

This information was supplied Haehnle. He explained the steps to restore the panels . Thanks you very much Sir.

IMG_1927.png


IMG_1926.png
 
T
Donakey said:
I’m interested in doing this as well. Here’s what I discovered.

- The anodizing has to be removed and the panel stripped.

- clean the panel with degreasers and hot water

- A crystal Lye toilet bowl unplug toilets will work. With hot water and plastic sewer tube would work. ( Sodium Hydroxide ). You have to check on it continuously so it doesn’t eat the panel. (DO it outside fumes )

- the aluminum scratches or dents need to be removed through sanding, then polished to be anodized again.

- Bowers anodizing can refinish the anodizing on the panel.

This information was supplied Haehnle. He explained the steps to restore the panels . Thanks you very much Sir.

View attachment 2016741

View attachment 2016742
Click to expand...
Thanks, I believe I've stripped the old anodize. I'm currently sanding and polishing. I have Sodium Hydroxide, so I could quickly make a trench like I did for Evapo Rust to double check.

I've reached out to a couple local companies (South Carolina) to see if they deal with small/end customers. If I can find a local company that will do bright anodizing for a reasonable price, I'll get it redone and then paint.

Thanks
Ross
 
Keep this thread going. I wanted to add one more point the guy made. He said it has to be polished like chrome. So if you have a tips as where to start sanding at please add in the grit , and what you used to get it polished to chrome like. I’m terrified of bending it or breaking it when I do mine. I take it you have to use mechanical means to get it polished. I’m wondering how you do that. I was thinking about doing this.


- Bolt to Aluminum FB with studs on back of finish panel.

Leave FB along clamp to saw horse use mechanical means to polish to chrome shine.
 
I just taped mine all off and painted it 37 years ago when I was a kid. Still looks good today. Oddly enough this seem to be the only pictures I have of my red Charger of the rear. Also, pictured is the tail panel off of my other 70 500 S.E. as a reference.

70RTSE11 [640x480-2].jpg


FB_IMG_1644876789539.jpg


New 70 Charger 6.jpg
 
Donakey said:
Keep this thread going. I wanted to add one more point the guy made. He said it has to be polished like chrome. So if you have a tips as where to start sanding at please add in the grit , and what you used to get it polished to chrome like. I’m terrified of bending it or breaking it when I do mine. I take it you have to use mechanical means to get it polished. I’m wondering how you do that. I was thinking about doing this.


- Bolt to Aluminum FB with studs on back of finish panel.

Leave FB along clamp to saw horse use mechanical means to polish to chrome shine.
Click to expand...
I've ordered the shaft extensions for my bench grinder and some buffing/polishing wheels w/clay grit bars. If it works out, I'll let you know what I used.
 
Donakey said:
Keep this thread going. I wanted to add one more point the guy made. He said it has to be polished like chrome. So if you have a tips as where to start sanding at please add in the grit , and what you used to get it polished to chrome like. I’m terrified of bending it or breaking it when I do mine. I take it you have to use mechanical means to get it polished. I’m wondering how you do that. I was thinking about doing this.


- Bolt to Aluminum FB with studs on back of finish panel.

Leave FB along clamp to saw horse use mechanical means to polish to chrome shine.
Click to expand...
I show the entire restoration of my Bee tail panel in my sticky restoration thread... I'll go see if I can find where it starts.
 
Yep I did the same with the one on the Bee, down and dirty and it still looks good to me.
1775085915409.png
 
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