Todays Question

[jlaird]

Alum. cockpit suround. How is it restored? What was on it from the factory? Alum is a real pain as it sheads black unless covered with something.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

They were probably anodized. Most plating shops can do this.

 

[jollyroger]

It was anodized, you can polish it and clear coat it too!

 

[Bugeye58]

Or buy some real nice paisley vinyl and cover it! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I actually <u>saw</u> this on a Bugeye, about 1971 or so. Didn't seem as hideous then as it does in retrospect.
Jeff

 

[jlaird]

Oh thanks Jeff, great idea. Think I will polish then see if I can find an anadizor or clear coat.

 

[ChrisS]

Jeff I might have that car because that's what one of the PO's did to mine.
Chris

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Clear coat will dull aluminum, but it still looks OK. If you want to retain a mirror finish then... get ready for it again... zoopseal. I really have NFI, I'm just amazed at how well it works.

 

[jlaird]

No price on their site Trevor, what do they get for that?

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Eastwood is a dealer. I bought my kit at a car show for $80, but it looks like it is going to last me a loooong time.

 

[Bugeye58]

[ QUOTE ]
Jeff I might have that car because that's what one of the PO's did to mine.
Chris

[/ QUOTE ]
Chris, did your car come from Arizona, by chance? I was living in Tucson when I saw that.
Jeff

 

[ChrisS]

Jeff: No I don't think so, it still has an early '60's Naval base sticker for Newport, RI and was last registered in MA in '68. The funny thing is that it was only done to the piece above the dash. When I was stripping it down I really didn't think about it until now. It is supposed to be exposed aluminum all the way around the cockpit isn't it?
Chris

 

[BWillis]

Chris I am wondering the same thing about the trim. Mine is exposed aluminum all the way around but I have seen it different ways on many "restored to original" bugeyes.

Ben in SC

 

[jlaird]

Doors, and rear cockpit exposed, peice over dash covered same as dash.

 

[68_sprite]

This website shows the step by step process for ZoopSeal. ZoopSeal Test
My windshield could really use some help, but the last thing I want to do is take it apart again.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I don't think you would need to take it apart. I would just tape every thing off while polishing, and be sure to clean up well when done. I wonder what the "alloy" metal was that it didn't work. Off course the anodizing has to be removed first and once you remove that there is no going back. You'll have to repolish and reseal every two to three years.

 

[ChrisS]

Ok, I'll just stop posting since I don't know what I'm talking about. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
Chris