[Yellow Bird]

I am preparing to have my classic pontiac professionally restored. My first conversation with a professional, regarding the faded window strim, consisted of having the trim reanodized.* Today he talked about replacing the trim.* Please, I need advice.* What is the correct way to restore my car?* Is it better to just change out the metal trim for modern, brand new trim, or try to restore the origional?* Any responses will be greatly appreciated.* Thank you

[Rachelsdad]

Depending upon the car, the year, and the part, replacing with new may not be possible (or practical).

Next, replacing with NOS will get you back the original, sub-standard finish from the factory, which is far from today's restoration standards (I'm in a similar situation with my now-just-starting-to-pit, once NOS tail light bezels on my '63; yes, I can get NOS ones, but mine could be rechromed better than new, with a modicum of repair, so they are excellent cores).

If the trim is available in reproduction, the quality of the repros may vary widely. This may or may not be a factor for you. With a repro, you get (likely) better finishing than factory original, with a part which may or may not look or fit quite right, but generally at lesser cost than re-anodizing. (I have repro door handles on my '63, purchased from Ames, many, many years ago. The description in the catalog was "quality: excellent." While the plating has been fine (still no pits, and they shine brightly), the handles themselves are *thinner* than the originals (which I still have - somewhere - and will one day have rechromed and will put back in place of the repros).

I recently had my rear quarter crests re-anodized. These gold beauties faded out within a couple of years when new. While my '63 has been in the family since January of '65, I could not recall them *ever* being gold. I had a spare set from a parts car, and when I turned them over, sure enough, they were gold. Now, after being redone, mine are a perfectly wondrous yellow gold.

So, I would say that you should consider the pros and cons:

What is the condition of your existing trim, aside from needing to be anodized again? Bends, gouges, scrapes, cracks all involve repair to the metal before it can be re-anodized. (I had the seat trim in my '63 re-anodized, and a spare side piece I had would not take the anodizing in one particular spot, as it seems that there had been a repair to it at some point in the past, and the material used for the repair was more than just aluminum, so that piece was wasted.)

Can you reasonably obtain pristine NOS trim? Remember, if matching pieces, you'll probably have to obtain a full set of whatever trim it is (emblems are easier, but window reveal and such comes down to multiple pieces). Otherwise, your NOS "piece" won't match. Price is also a factor. (I'm in the process of collecting grills for my '63. I have a NOS LH grill, but I refuse to pay $450 for the one NOS RH grill which has been on eBay for a while. Because I have the one NOS one, I continue to hunt for the other rather than sending mine out to be rechromed; I want them to match.)

Are repros available? What is the quality (fit and finish is key)? Cost? Are all pieces in stock?

Can you send the whole set out to be re-anodized, getting a quality job done, for a reasonable price? You can always find some place to do it for less money; that's not the question. The question is whether you can get a good looking, lasting job for a price you consider to be reasonable.

What is the time lag for re-anodizing vs finding new?

Lastly, what are your intentions for the car? If you intend to keep it over the long haul, and you are particular about doing it right, there is no substitute for a good rechroming or re-anodizing or (my second choice) NOS. If you intend to flip the car when done, then who cares if a piece of trim doesn't feel right or may take a little extra work to "get into place?"

[Yellow Bird]

Rachelsdad, THANK YOU. I appreciate all your input. For me, your last sentence said it all. I will try to have the trim re-anodized. I posed my question concerned that my restorer was taking the easy way out. Again, thank you.

[Rachelsdad]

:-)

Aw, shucks... Glad I could help. The following words of wisdom should be a mantra for us all:

The bitterness of poor quality lasts long after the sweetness of low price has worn off.

So, if you truly care about the quality of the work you're having done and will have to continue to look at it day after day, year after year, do it once and do it right.

Best of luck with your project!

Cheers