'69' GTX FINISH PANEL RESTORERS???!!!

Posted By: Labratt

'69' GTX FINISH PANEL RESTORERS???!!! - 07/27/12 09:28 PM

After looking at some nice re-pops...then hearing the price

...I'm looking for someone local(Detroit area)to make my existing pitted panel look presentable!

I know it will be some work..but DOES NOT have to be show-quality in appearance!

If ANYONE knows of someone that could do this,please contact me! Thanks in advance!

Randy Borawski

Attached picture 7310265-GTXFINISHPANEL004.jpg

Posted By: A12

Re: '69' GTX FINISH PANEL RESTORERS???!!! - 07/27/12 10:08 PM

it almost comes down to a DIY project from my research

Posted By: Labratt

Re: '69' GTX FINISH PANEL RESTORERS???!!! - 07/27/12 10:28 PM

Mike..you are probably right! $600.00-$700.00 price tag is a "bitter" pill to swallow for just 1 piece of trim!

We'll see what happens! I'm not very optomistic,either!

Posted By: roadrunner69s

Re: '69' GTX FINISH PANEL RESTORERS???!!! - 07/27/12 10:39 PM

The time consuming and hard part is filling in all the pits with base metal. And even then there's no way to know how good it will come out, or if it will come out.

$600-$700 doesn't so bad to me if you have assurances that it will come out looking great. Even a decent used panel with very minor pitting has to run in the $300-$500...if you can find one. If the "restorer" burnishes out sharp edges or other details in the process, you've effectively got nothing for your $$. I would think a part that large just to do the final finish plating would run approx $200.

Posted By: RSNOMO

Re: '69' GTX FINISH PANEL RESTORERS???!!! - 07/28/12 12:29 AM

I don't know if he's still around, but, there is(or, was)a place around 24 and Gratiot...

'Custom's Unlimited'

Guy's name was Tom...

He did die-cast, and pot-metal repairs...

Posted By: Labratt

Re: '69' GTX FINISH PANEL RESTORERS???!!! - 07/28/12 12:40 PM

Brian..$600.00-$700.00 might not be a bad price at all..but,unfortunataly,I'm on a fixed income! Sometimes I wish I owned a RoadRunner...with the cost of all this new trim that SHOULD be replaced! Hard to justify putting inferior-looking trim on a "fresh" paint job!

John..I know exactly who you're talking about! I've seen some of Tom's work..VERY GOOD!

He's still in business! I drove past his shop pretty regularly. Maybe I'll have time to stop by his place today!

Thanks again for the info!

Randy B.

Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: '69' GTX FINISH PANEL RESTORERS???!!! - 07/28/12 03:08 PM

What's the major problem you have with your piece.

It looks like the pits under the paint are as bad or worse then the exposed chrome. You yourself could grind down the pits under the paint, fill with bondo and repaint. Totally Auto has a more correct texture than what you have now. Then the painted portions would look fine; the majority of what you see.

I'm worried you are still going to have $300+ with paint detailing into your old piece that might not come out like expected.

Posted By: gtx6970

Re: '69' GTX FINISH PANEL RESTORERS???!!! - 07/28/12 03:54 PM

No offense
but by the time you pay someone to fill , sand and repaint the piece you have . I think a $700 plus repop os going to be cheaper.

If you wish to keep it on the in-expensive side . Do it yourself.
Pick up a cheap dremel tool. some good body filler , sand paper and a cold beer or 6,, and have at it, what to do you to lose? $75 - $100 tops and a few hours of a weekend afternoon

Posted By: Labratt

Re: '69' GTX FINISH PANEL RESTORERS???!!! - 07/28/12 09:45 PM

Thanks,every one!

Like Bill suggested..what do I have to lose by doing it myself? I'm sure it won't look anywhere near show-quality...but,that's not my goal!...not on my budget!

I'm sure I can get it to look presentable....with some elbow grease..and a few hours of my time!

Who sells the correct grey argent paint that's used?..Totally Auto??? Of course,mine is NOT the correct color...or texture!

Thanks again,Randy.

Posted By: sixbbl 69

Re: '69' GTX FINISH PANEL RESTORERS???!!! - 03/31/20 12:50 AM

make a road runner out of it,

Posted By: A727Tflite

Re: '69' GTX FINISH PANEL RESTORERS???!!! - 03/31/20 01:27 AM

Run out to McNichols Plating in Redford, across the street from the Detroit Diesel Plant.

Posted By: 4406bbl

Re: '69' GTX FINISH PANEL RESTORERS???!!! - 03/31/20 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by Labratt

Thanks,every one! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bow.gif" alt="" /> Like Bill suggested..what do I have to lose by doing it myself? I'm sure it won't look anywhere near show-quality...but,that's not my goal!...not on my budget! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frowwn.gif" alt="" /> I'm sure I can get it to look presentable....with some elbow grease..and a few hours of my time! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bondo.gif" alt="" /> Who sells the correct grey argent paint that's used?..Totally Auto??? Of course,mine is NOT the correct color...or texture! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tsk.gif" alt="" /> Thanks again,Randy. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beer.gif" alt="" />

Check out the light and dark argent group buy going on in the 68 rr grill thread, if you want the right stuff.

Posted By: Sixpak

Re: '69' GTX FINISH PANEL RESTORERS???!!! - 04/01/20 08:46 PM

Poor old Randy / Labratt is gone, folks - check the date on the posting - still, I KNOW the piece he was looking to get done and I got bent over by at least 1 plater, badly. They ended up destroying the part in the acid tank. Pot metal plating is the toughest job because the metal is basically junk. The repops may be a better bet, rather than trying your luck with a plater, and a piece that large...

Posted By: gtx6970

Re: '69' GTX FINISH PANEL RESTORERS???!!! - 04/01/20 10:16 PM

I'll be honest.
Ive seen the repos in person. They are nice, NOT OE nice. But for 90% of the people out there. They are perfect

Then again the price of an NOS one isnt as much $$$ as they used to be . So one might get lucky going that route

Posted By: A12

Re: '69' GTX FINISH PANEL RESTORERS???!!! - 04/02/20 12:08 AM

Originally Posted by gtx6970

I'll be honest.
Ive seen the repos in person. They are nice, NOT OE nice. But for 90% of the people out there. They are perfect

Then again the price of an NOS one isnt as much $$$ as they used to be . So one might get lucky going that route

Bill where can you find reproduction GTX trunk finish panels now? The place in Western PA had them but I haven't checked if they are even around anymore ?????

Mike

Posted By: gtx6970

Re: '69' GTX FINISH PANEL RESTORERS???!!! - 04/02/20 12:11 AM

Originally Posted by A12

Originally Posted by gtx6970

I'll be honest.
Ive seen the repos in person. They are nice, NOT OE nice. But for 90% of the people out there. They are perfect

Then again the price of an NOS one isnt as much $$$ as they used to be . So one might get lucky going that route

Bill where can you find reproduction GTX trunk finish panels now? The place in Western PA had them but I haven't checked if they are even around anymore ?????

Mike

Friend of mine got one last year or so . I just sent him a note asking where he got it

Posted By: 4406bbl

Re: '69' GTX FINISH PANEL RESTORERS???!!! - 04/02/20 04:34 AM

Amd has one left for 839
Classic industries has them also