Anyone know where I can have all of my window trim and wiper arms re-anodized? I'm pulling it all off while I repaint the car. Dallas area preferred.

 

Anodizing is a process for aluminum. I would suggest having everything powder coated instead. Since you will pretty much be taking the car apart for the respray, it may also be beneficial to have the locks (around the key on the doors) done as well.

Regards,
Roger

 

Are they aluminium? I think it's basically thin steel .... you could have them plated.

 

Hmmmm.... Powder coating does sound like it would be more durable. I wonder if power coating can be done in flat black.

 

I would be worried about the powder coating causing fitment issues.

 

Powder coating can be done in flat black as well as a number of levels in between. I do not see power coating causing much in the way of preventing the trim from fitting, but I would be more worried about chipping when installing the window trim. It has to be hit and formed a bit on installation.

SEM makes a very nice and forgiving OEM Black trim paint that captures the original finish nicely. Since it is forgiving it can be sprayed on as a touch up and still blend. I used it several years back when I was working on the convertible and it still looks good today. A can of SEM is a whole lot cheaper than stripping the old trim and having it recoated.

I do like powder coating - especially for engine parts, but powder coating can chip and surface prep is everything.

 

I just re did mine with black spray paint. They look awesome. Easy. Cheap. Last long time. Jason

 

I just had the wiper arms and door lock guards powder coated. The wiper arms came out great, but the door lock guards are made from a pot metal so the media blasting really did a number on them.

 

SEM all the way. Scotch pad to scuff them up, SEM primer then SEM trim black paint. Holds up for years! I did it to the 82 when I was in so Cal where it gets as hot as the surface of the sun. They never faded, chipped or cracked and lasted a long time. JMHO

 

Keith I forgot til you mentioned it but I too primed them first. Jason

 

Another alternative would be to use high tech overlays. This is a super-thin material that won't ever chip, and you don't have to take the trim out of the seal to apply it. You can then chose to either use similar overlays on the corners, or paint those.

The complete kit is little over $20.

Or you can order a new set of trim pieces, which will come in black plastic.

 

I think I'm going to look into the SEM solution. Thanks for all of the suggestions.

 

If you can't find any paint from SEM, look for some DuPont trim paint.

 

On my now-gone black Explorer, I used satin black rust-oleum spray on wiper arms and trim bits that were a little rock-blasted, and it held up great. I'm sure the SEM is a "perfect" match, but... Most don't have anything left on the car to compare with. If you do all the trim bits with the same color and finish, it's unlikely that you'll be able to tell the difference between SEM and a more-common, quality aerosol paint product applied with the same amount of prep. One guy's experience.

 

Dr. Bob,

Of course you are right. Rustoleum will work. it is a little more difficult to work with and it is far less forgiving. The thing I found out about the SEM finish is that even with a little over spray and uneven application it dries out almost prefect. The SEM vinyl paint also has this forgiving quality.

SEM is easily available in most Auto Body supply houses for reasonable $. Having done things both ways I gladly pay extra for the SEM products. Now some of us are professional painters - me I need all the help I can get.