Aluminum trim on a 56 hardtop

[56 Vette]

The front aluminum header on my 56 hardtop was painted when I purchased the car. I understand this strip should not be painted. What is the best way to remove the paint without distrubing the other paint on the hardtop? Thanks.

 

[Tom Bryant]

Hi kieth,

The front header, as well as all the other exterior trim on C1 hardtops is stainless that was origiionally flash chromed to keep it bright and to avoid that yellow cast that stainless can get. Buffing will remove the flash chroming and it will be noticable.

I would suggest that you carefully mask off the top, using several layers, and use a chemical stripper on it. A water soluable type like Zip Strip would be best as you could keep the eccess washed off.

The downside here is that whoever painted the trim may have sanded or scuffed it for adhesion before they painted it. Then you will have no choice but to either remove it and send it to a polishing shop or replace it with a good used one.

Tom

 

[JP1522]

Tom, On the 56 hardtop, and possibly some early 57's the aluminum front structual member was also the trim piece, unlike the later C1's, which had a two piece stainless trim, with a center clip, which covered up the aluminum. You don't see very many of these tops. I have one on my 56.
56 Vette, The only suggestion I have to remove the paint would be to mask the painted fiberglass and remove the paint on the alumunum with 0000 steel wool. After removing the masking tape I would very carefully work along the paint line with a modeling knife with a #11 blade. After what I would expect would be many hours in removing the paint off the aluminum, I would polish with simichrome. Good luck

 

[Tom Bryant]

Joe,

Thanks for the correction and good advice. If Kieth does find that it has been scuffed at least the aluminum will be easy to buff without removal.

Tom