My next project for the Challenger is the restoration of the Heater Box (non A/C car). I know YO sells a "kit" to paint the housing and I imagine that Eastwood does also.

Should I use one of those or is there a less expensive route? Car is not a All out show car but will be a REALLY nice occasional Driver.

Thanks, Joe

I'm doing mine right now. Its a '71 B-Body box with A/C. I took mine apart, took it to the bath tub and gave it a bath. Then after its dried, I used a "clear" paint to brighten it up. No color or anything, just clear.

Did the same thing to both my heater boxes. May not be 100% correct but looks good.

I got this kit to redo the air grabber hoods I have for my 70 RR. I did a friends heater box on his 67 GTO and it came out really nice. May want to look into this stuff. Easy to use, at least it was for me.

http://www.restorationfullcircle.com/

I painted mine and when I used the heater the paint bubbled and peeled.

No paint needed.
If you can media blast it that works very well.
Afterwards apply a coat of satin clear and it will
look brand new.
You can also just wash it thoroughly and clear coat it.
Jules

I just pressure washed mine clean, no clear to flake off. My car is a driver.

A different box I did with a pressure washer.It was before I knew about 71TA gaskets. Made my own.

I'm curious, what type of media do you recommend blasting with Jules?

Tav

Thanks for the tips everyone. I think that I will powerwash it as Gary suggested and then clear it as others suggested. The box is in good shape so it may look fine doing that. If not, then I will try media blasting it.

Jules, if I had the budget for it...I would be sending anything to you that you could do. You do awesome work and are a great member of this board. Thanks for the advice.

I've got one of Jim Filmore's gasket kits for it and a new heater core. A tried to buy a new blower motor but the ones I found looked nothing like the original. A friend of mine says he has one he bought a while back that is like the original and is sending it to me. I'll post pics of it when it's done.

Thanks, Joe

I use a mild acid solution used by detailers to remove brake dust off wheels.. Works extremely well, don't need to clear coat cause it shines without it...

cataclysm80 ,
I use MIL-30 glass bead. It's like flour. It will clean without damaging the surface.
It will just scuff it enough so that the thin clear film I put on will not flake off.
The other methods are just as good.
Jules

I haven't tried this on mine yet, but if you check a thread I started on Ramcharger airbox resto's the same material I used to rejuvenate the orange fiber-stuff used on those items I suspect will work for the black heater box material. It's Watco Danish Oil finish and it's a 'top coat' for wood surfaces. It is called an "oil" but once it is applied it dries to the touch, and of course it beautifies wood and brings the grain out...just happens to also beautify Ramcharger Airboxes.
Here's a link to that old thread.

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...&PHPSESSID=

OK guys,

Heater box has been taken completely apart and the pieces are in pretty good shape overall. You can see in the pic that the heater core had a leak but I have a new one. I'm also in the process of getting a new blower motor.

The only item that I have not removed is this flap. To remove it, I will need to drill out the rivets for the bracket that holds it..correct? If so, who sells these type rivets? Jules..can I buy them from you if needed?

Thanks, Joe

why do you need to take it out. i just did my box and left it in. I sandblasted the plates using cardboard to block the fiberglass body from the sand and then primed and paint the plate (using more cardboard to block the overspray.

then I glues new foam in that I got from some packages down in the shipping department and cut it to size and glued in with 3m pray adhesive (super 77 I believe).

Looks great

they are not too hard to do