restoring parts

[leddzepp]

I recently purchased some original, used badges from board members to return my 72 C-20 to its original condition. I have done the 400 badges and already re-mounted them. The super badges are done, and 1 of the cheyenne 20 badges is done. I left one un-restored to show the difference. This is my contrubution to being green and recycling...using original GM parts bought from board members as opposed to buying new repro taiwanese shtuff. Rubbed with some tin foil and wd-40 to remove minor pitting, followed by a polish with a dremel tool. Patience and a steady hand with a paint brush...what do y'all think?

I am getting some original used upper and lower mouldings from a board member today, and will start the restoration on them.

I am also getting some original stainless hubcaps from another member next week, and will start on the restoration of those as well.

I got a set of factory 16.5" rims (one piece, not split) from a local board member last week. He threw in a beat-up original hubcap that I have started to restore for my spare tire. My truck came with the in-bed spare tire carrier, so it will be nice to have a matching hubcap on it!

I threw some 80's (?) 3/4 ton caps on there until I get the OG's restored. The yellow centers match the Ochre perfectly! Only problem is, they don't fit on the back due to the Dana 60 rear end.

[71 super]

Supers turned out well. I think that truck needs to make a east coast trip and stay It is going to be a very nice machine when finished. Harold

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by 71 super

I think that truck needs to make a east coast trip and stay Harold

Between the economy, my wife, and the short bed....it just might

[68gmsee]

Look good. I've tried doing some restoring in the past but didn't come out as good as yours.

Now if you can do something like restoring painted hubcaps, I'd be interested in paying for the work... I tried it and didn't come out so good...

Example of a good one:

[BluTrukker]

I have never heard of the tinfoil/WD-40 thing, what does it do?

[68shortstep]

Way back when, probably before many of you were born, I had a Schwinn bike (balloon tires) with a chrome tank & fenders.

I can remember getting used "tin foil" (aluminum foil) from my Mom & polishing off the rust speckles off the chrome, by rubbing, along with a little sewing machine light oil.

Don't know what or how it does it, but it works.

Didn't know about pitted pot metal parts, like the emblems are.

[michael bustamante]

how funny! I take pictures of stuff sittin on my washing machine too
Im gonna try that foil and oil trick tonight on a 67-68 grill center emblem! thanks!!

[68,69 K20]

Nice work on the emblems and caps, they turned out great!!

[stllookn]

68gmc, That cap looks awesome! What was the problem with others you tried to restore...just could not get the dents out?

[bigbadchev72]

000 steel wool works awesome as well for cleaning chrome parts with very minimal effort

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by stllookn

68gmc, That cap looks awesome! What was the problem with others you tried to restore...just could not get the dents out?

I have all 4 now since I bought this one couple of years ago. But, my problem is trying to duplicate the painting method. Almost looks like it was air brushed. I tried the masking method and you could see the sharp edges.

I'm going to try again this spring by installing the hubcap on the truck and painting it while rotating it. Problem, though, is the red GMC letters. Can't do those like that. I'll need to cut some sort of stencil.

Sorry for the hijack leddzepp.

[stllookn]

Sorry for hijacking as well...but we are talking about restoring original parts! I am going to do my Chevy caps but the PO drilled holes in the center of them...not sure why. They will require some welding. I might have to air brush them but they will need welding, filling, sanding, priming and painting! Lots of work but once done they are worth it.

If you notice your painting mistakes...back up another 10 ft. Repeat process until it looks right...LOL!

[stllookn]

leddzepp...the pits come from flaws or chips in the chrome and subsequent corrosion of the zinc or whatever alloy was used to diecast the emblems in the first place. I did exactly what you have done on my old Custom Camper emblems. I think there is a company that will restore them with new plating. I think that is what I will eventually do for my 100 pt. restoration job. For now the hand polishing and hand painting seem to work fine.