C3 Rocker Panel Restoration?

[Sheldon S.]

I am wondering if there is someone that restores rocker panels for a 71 or who has the best repos out there. Is it possible to restore the panels by taking to a plater that can refinish with correct finish?
Thanks in advance
Sheldon

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Rocker Panel Restoration?

Sheldon-----

First of all, I don't think you'll find any reproductions that are 100% as-original. They'll be close, but not 100%. In fact, later GM SERVICE pieces were not 100% as-original for a 1971.

Restoring these can be a problem. These panels are clear anodized aluminum. If they have suffered very much in the way of corrosion or "dinging", I think that it's going to be difficult to restore them to as-new condition. One obstacle will be finding a plater that has the inclination and capabilities to do the job. Stripping the panels and re-anodizing them will be quite tricky and will require large tanks.

Perhaps others can recommend someone who meets the above qualifications; I do not know of any.

One tip: from an originality perspective, if yours are not in real bad condition, your best bet might be to clean them up as best you can and leave it at that.

[Lyle24961]

Re: C3 Rocker Panel Restoration?

Sheldon
Don't use any thing like steel wool on the anodized part they will never look right again. I have bought up a few sets of nice used sets for my own use but they are not on E-bay often and the condition is hard to tell. I hope someone will start plating thease correct. If you ship them a 4" plastic pipe and two caps is the best way. The ones I bought on E-bay I had shipped this way with no damage. I agree with Joe light cleaning and repaint the stripe.

Lyle

[Jack H.]

Re: C3 Rocker Panel Restoration?

Adding on to what Joe Lucia said, the factory original rockers had a 'tab' at the front that extended laterally underneath the car to accept a mounting screw. This 'feature' was removed from later Shark era rockers and the current GM service replacements are based on the later style.

You'll lose 'maybe' a point or two on the judging field, so it's a matter of restoration economics... Do you want fresh clean cosmetics or factory originality?

There was a fella who ran ads in the club's Driveline magazine (services section) who offered rocker panel restoration services. I don't know what he charged or if he's still in business, but you might want to check it out.

As Joe said, the challenge is finding someone with a plating tank large enough to accommodate a rocker panel who's in the annodizing business. Bottom line, if your rockers are correct originals with the front lower tab, do NOT throw them away! Somewhere, sometime, you or a subsequent owner might want to restore them if you decide to short cut the process today and install current GM service replacement rockers...

[Lyle24961]

Re: C3 Rocker Panel Restoration?

The new ones without the tab are $250-$300 so if yours aren't too bad take the hit on condition. I hope someone joins in to tell us what the Driveline vendor charges and the quality of his work. I have a few sets with tabs I would get done if the quality is good.

Lyle

[Sheldon S.]

Re: C3 Rocker Panel Restoration?

I just received my latest Driveline and went through looking for a vendor that restores rocker panels but couldn't find anyone. Are the repos all made offshore and what is the quality of them like? I assume GM does not make them anymore!! Does anyone recomend a supplier for a good repo?
Thanks Sheldon