I am trying to restore the aluminum trim on my '66 F250 and so far I haven't had much success. I believe that I will need to reanodize the trim.
Does anyone know of a shop in Southern California that can deanodize and reanodize the trim? Preferably I would like someone who has dealt with classic car parts. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Sorry, I can't really help but when you are looking make sure you tell the shop you have two pieces which are almost eight feet long. Many shops aren't equipped for those.
Eric

 

Where are you located? What City? Stripping and fixing not a problem. Re-anodizing is a problem for the bed side trim. If they don't have a tank long enough, they will have to dip each end. This causes a line in the center, not bad but still noticeable.
The EPA has scared a lot of the shops around So. Cal. There is one in L. A. but I wasn't happy with there work at all. There's an anodizing shop in Pomona but they have small tanks. At least I know they can't do a 75" piece much less a 90" piece.

 

I bought a 65 Mustang from a guy who also had a 66 F100.

He used fine steel wool to get the finish he wanted, then sprayed the trim with clear lacquer.

Im thinking about trying that myself.

I have never used lacquer, it used to be very popular, but not as durable as enamel I have been told.

 

I was just wondering if a clear coat would work. I would not use lacquer though.....a 2 part urethane clear would be much more durable.
I'm just wondering if it would look right or be too shiny.

 

The trim is finished with a 'Bright Dip' Anodize. I had some done years ago before they started reproducing them. Impala Bob's did mine but that was probably 20 yrs ago for $1 per inch Might do some google searches. Good luck

 

I don't want to spend the money on anodize, so Im looking for a lower cost option.

Im going to talk to a painter and get his opinion.

On some new Harleys parts of the bodywork get no paint, just a clearcoat. It seems to hold up well.

 

Because of the anodize coating, your going to be at it for a long time. I'm willing to bet your hands will cramp up pretty bad just getting through the anodize.
It can be done, but man it's going to be time consuming and hell on the hands.
Once you get the anodize coating off, you'll need to fix the dents and dings. Trust me they will show up even more.
Once you make it to that point, then the polishing begins. You can always "Seal" the aluminum with an aluminum sealer. Look at "Master Formula" for a good quality bare aluminum sealer.
Today's anodize is not as good as yesterday's anodize. The coating doesn't last long and your back to stripping and polishing.
You can thank the EPA for that.

 

Easy Off is the way to go Im told.

 

I live in Hawthorne, CA there are a lot of companies that build parts for aerospace, but as several people have indicated, most of the places cannot accommodate the larger pieces from the bed trim. I'm willing to go as far as San Diego to get the job done.

 

Do you have the name of the place in Pomona? I maybe I can use them for the smaller trim pieces and find some alternative for the larger pieces.

 

If you end up getting some parts done from the place in Pomona or any place. Be sure to post pics of the final outcome. I'm always curious on the quality detail for any kind of metal plating by companies. They are harder and harder to find every day for a quality piece.

 

I had mine chromed in Tucson. Alternatively, strip off the anodizing with Easy-off or lye, polish and then clear.

 

Contact King of Trim. We sent the trim for the '66 we're restoring to them. Should have it back within a month.

King of Trim | Quality automotive trim restoration

 

...Does anyone know...can the aluminum trim be "flash" chromed like they did on some stainless trim on classic cars??
...ps Tucson, I just started my disassembly this weekend on my '66 F-250. Given enough time, I want it to look just like yours! What are the proper names of the colors on your truck?? I'm going to make some slight mod's but keep the original look. Only shame of painting/restoring, it's so original, still has the inspection/crayon marks on the firewall and engine compartment panels!!