When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Might be old news, but I recall a discussion a while back about how to get correct finish on the inner fender aprons. Anyway, was poking around on Auto Krafters and came across this..... OE style fender aprons
Just wondering if it would be the "too shiny" galvanized vs. the more matte appearance. Still better than paint!
Last edited by Yamhill Ranger; May 26, 2025 at 08:55 PM.
Reason: added photo
Definitely not the correct finish, but I agree it's better than paint.
I'm sure they're imported junk, but with an appealing finish. I have a fairly authentic looking paint on my OEM ones and I'm not sure if I'd trade them for junk with a better finish. but it's interesting
Hey sixpack- I figured you'd weigh in on those. I'd be interested to know how you finished yours out. My biggest concern on those bright shiny parts is that it would not look believable. My dent is a nice survivor patina truck, so I don't want to over restore things. But the right apron does have some battery acid stains and radiator overflow that I'd eventually like to clean up.
Those might be shinier, I haven't inspected them, but the '77s and newer were galvanized. Mine were painted a semi gloss black when I bought the truck in '86 though, still are. I just figured the factory or first owner painted them? When the plastic liners are out like when I did new fenders, saw the hidden "under" side is just plain rough textured galvanized, no paint there .... no rust either.
If you are really looking for correctness,those reproductions are electroplated and originals are hot dipped galvanized. I am lucky to have a facility close that does the hot dipped process.
I tried to get mine dipped and nobody would do it. they said the way the process is done it would distort the shape for sure. I did find a place to zinc coat it but I've had them do other parts and it looks pretty much like silver paint so what's the point.
I used Hammerite silver I think it's an epoxy. it has some texture and color variation to it. then I over sprayed a light coat of Eastwoods zinc coating. it's far from the ideal solution but it's the best paint choice I've tried.
I tried to get mine dipped and nobody would do it. they said the way the process is done it would distort the shape for sure. I did find a place to zinc coat it but I've had them do other parts and it looks pretty much like silver paint so what's the point.
I used Hammerite silver I think it's an epoxy. it has some texture and color variation to it. then I over sprayed a light coat of Eastwoods zinc coating. it's far from the ideal solution but it's the best paint choice I've tried.
Hot dipped galvanizing today, as compared to 40 yrs ago, hasn't hardly changed in process nor does it distort the piece..otherwise it wouldn't be able to be used back then or on today's products.
Even cheap fencing material is HDG...which can be way smaller gauge than fender aprons. (chicken wire for example)
If someone couldn't find good originals or wanted new for some reason, I would fully expect those aftermarket to be much closer to the originals than painted originals. To be honest not really sure what (who) the market is for these? Anyone doing a true concours level restoration would find a clean original set and anyone not caring about concours would just paint their tired originals to whatever color they wanted.
It's not difficult to find clean original apron's even here in the rust belt.
I knew the guys at the galvanizing plant. They said they might warp,I said do them anyway. Never noticed any warpage when done. Fit good. Side note...That place would be a horrible place to work. A swimming pool sized vat of 800 degree molten zinc,guys are wearing flame suits,super hot.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
