My molding needs refreshing - Suggestions?

[68RGR]

In trying to make my '68 Ranger as complete (and straight!) as possible and, after looking at the prices of repro parts, I bought a parts truck.

Currently, the main issue is "moving" 3 or 4 pieces of the exterior molding from the parts truck to the keeper truck. The molding on the parts truck is in decent shape - it has the typical problems - Oxidation and/or failure of the anodizing, dirt/grime and faded or missing black striping.

I'm really not very excited about going the oven cleaner/polishing/anodizing route that was mentioned in another thread. I successfully cleaned up a piece of rocker panel molding with soap, water, acetone, Fantastik, etc. It looks OK now but the black paint looks shabby. In fact, it's down right missing some in spots!

I've seen the repro moldings and the stripes were not the best in terms of precision. It also appeared that gloss black was used for the stripes. My memory just isn't good enough to recall the exact level of gloss on the black striping on my '69 Ranger that I bought around 1977. But, I'm thinking it was maybe semi-flat black? That would certainly match the other molding on my truck better than gloss black stripes would.

I'm curious to know how you guys have approached the restoration of these moldings - What type paint you used to restore the black stripes, did you brush or spray it on, etc. I'm not after "new", I just want it to match the other molding on the truck which is cleaner and has better striping.

Also, are the molding clips pretty much the same quality from LMC, Carpenter, Mac's, etc? If so, I'll make that decision solely on the delivered cost.

Thanks,

Bill

[basketcase0302]

Have you tried it using truckers rouge and a buffing wheel:
http://www.fordification.com/tech/polishing-trim.htm

[terry1167]

Bill,

This might sound odd but if you are looking to make your truck look good for a daily driver, you can replace the black striping on the lower moulding trim with the vinyl black pin striping available at any auto store. I think it's the 1/4" pin striping or perhaps it's the 1/8". I tried hand painting it and my hands just aren't steady enough. You could tape it off and spray it but again if you are looking for a nice fix for a daily driver and not a show truck, try the pin stripe. I haven't tried it on the mid-moulding of my Sport Custom as that black paint was all good but I bet the 1/16" stuff would work.

[mrollings53]

Get yourself a couple of pinstriping brushes of various sizes. Find the one that fits the groove in the trim and start practicing. By the time you get to the last part you should have a decent enough idea of how to do it well. Then you can go back to the beginning and do it again. You'll want to scuff the groove otherwise the paint won't stick. And keep plenty of solvent around to clean up any messes before they dry. And, of course, just wipe off something your not happy with. You're going to need alot of patience on this one.

It would be great if someone knew the paint code of the black used in the trim stripes too.

[68RGR]

It would be great if someone knew the paint code of the black used in the trim stripes too.

It sure would be great to have that paint code.

Oddly, I just watched an episode of "Cannon" and there was a '70 or so bumpside with an oversized camper in that show. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a good enough look at the black trim paint. I checked a Ford sales brochure for the '69 model year and it didn't help either. But, now that I think about it, the black on the '69 headlight bezels should have been the same as that on the molding. If so, I am fairly certain it wasn't real shiny as gloss black would have been. I'm going with something like satin or semi-flat black unless someone has a better idea. Gloss black, even if correct, wouldn't match the "unrefreshed" moldings anyway.

[michael69]

I think satin black is what I used to touch up mine and matched to old paint the best, but if you are going over it all I would use simi gloss.

[Canadian Ford Eh]

I gotta say, I think de-anodizing, sanding and polishing gives the best result. You can then either clear coat everything or wax it every now and then. I plan on using tape to do the lines of my '70 ranger trim (one piece I bought at a swap meet had tape, didnt even notice until I tried to remove it with paint stripper... it looks really good, and stayed on there well, and you won't be able to match the straight lines like the tape does).

I have done some pieces of my trim (headlight doors, small ranger trim pieces) at first using easy-off oven cleaner to remove the anodizing, but have now switched to lye cristals. Works beautifully.

[Drake]

In the past iv'e been happy with Blitz Black it's a John Deere black and you can get it at any John Deere dealer. Haven't used it on trim but it matches identically with inner fender paint from factory.