Bezel Restoration question

[Robert K.]

Hello,

Hoping to get some thoughts from the knowledgeable folks on the forum. I am currently working on the interior of my 69 convertible. The guage bezel and wiper bezel are both in pretty bad cosmetic shape, but structurally fine (no cracks in the metal, etc.)

Rather than buy repros ( I know the guage bezel is reproduced, not sure if the wiper bezel is), I was considering stripping the existing paint and repainting them. I have access to a media blaster, but not sure what media would be best. I don't want to pit the pot metal with the wrong media. Is glass beading a good idea, or is there another media that would be better?

I have seen on the forums that one of the vendors has the correct paint, so I'm good there.

Appreciate any thoughts/opinions, thanks!

Bob

[Patrick H.]

Re: Bezel Restoration question

Bob,

I've done a few.

My method is paint stripper (water washable is always easier) to remove the old paint. Don't waste your time blasting it.
Follow that by taping off the wording (just throw a piece of paint over the words for now, not letting the tape actually rest on the bezel itself) and carefully tape off the chrome edges and parts that will not receive paint. I use blue painter's tape (3M) and cut it with a X-Acto knife (new blade) when necessary.
Next paint it with self-etching primer (I've used Sherwin-Williams but SEM and others also have some).
Remove the tape over the wording, leave the rest in place. You just didn't want to get self etching primer on the words.
Paint with "original" formula SEM Trim Black. I have no idea what type of paint you've found through a vendor but the SEM Trim Black is dead nuts on. Get it at a store local to you and save your money and shipping time.
Remove all the tape.
Using a corner of a rag dip it into lacquer thinner and remove the black paint from the words on the bezels (i.e. "TUNING" and "VOLUME")
or
use the edge of the X-acto blade to remove the paint from the letters.
Use the X-acto blade to remove any bits of "rough" or "sticking up" paint from the taped edges, and follow that with a bit of lacquer thinner to the same chrome edges, being careful not to remove paint but just to soften the appearance of the edge.

When done, it is indistinguishable from original. In fact, I used this technique to touch up an original this past winter (didn't remove all the paint first) and you can't tell where the original paint ends and the SEM Trim Black begins.

Patrick

[Robert K.]

Re: Bezel Restoration question

Patrick,

Thanks for the advice; that sounds alot easier than blasting for sure. SEM was the vendor I had seen for the trim black paint in earlier posts (It was late when I posted and couldn't remember the name!) I will see if they have the self etching primer as well.

Would you have a recommendation for a paint stripper to use? I have never used a chemical paint stripper and would like to know what you would recommend. Once again, thanks for the advice. You way sounds easier (and less expensive) than my way!

Best regards,

Bob

[Patrick H.]

Re: Bezel Restoration question

Bob,

I can't recall offhand which stripper I used. I'm quite sure I just went to Lowes and used whichever one was "water washable." Trust me - those are a lot easier than the "non water washable" ones.

FYI I often use steel wool to help wipe off the paint and stripper. Make sure you buy a nice mid-arm pair of the nitrile gloves too. I do the paint stripping in a large sink in my garage.

Patrick

[Robert K.]

Re: Bezel Restoration question

Gotcha!

Thanks Patrick!

Bob