70' Cuda Rocker Molding Gills and Door Handle Questions

[longgone]

After completing my restoration last year, I've found myself searching for things to improve on the car.
Few questions:
1. Whats the best type of rocker molding gills to get?  I'm seeing composite, fiberglass and plastic, all being advertised as original?  What is the best to get and any recommended sources?

2. How tough of a job is it to replace the outer door handles?  Any tricks?  Any good sources?

That's about all I can find to improve on the car at the moment, whew...

Thanks,
Blueglow

[FJ5_440]

I bought and installed these when they were $269, and was very happy with them.  Now I see they are on sale for $155.  I don't think you can go wrong.
http://www.dalescudashop.com/1970-cuda-rocker-mold1970.html

[longgone]

I bought and installed these when they were $269, and was very happy with them.  Now I see they are on sale for $155.  I don't think you can go wrong.
http://www.dalescudashop.com/1970-cuda-rocker-mold1970.html

Were they already painted and ready to install?
Thx,
Blueglow

[FJ5_440]

They looked good, but the back of the gills on the originals are painted a charcoal  color and these are not.  I don't know of any reproductions that are.

[moparclown]

Heres an original pair,no paint on the backside.

[moparclown]

My screw up
You were talking about the black on the back side of the slats,not the back side of the entire moulding?Thats a serious amount of tape work to paint a set to look like originals or just make a paint shield?

[FJ5_440]

I initially tried to mask mine, but after the first half hour of trying to get tape to stick to the textured surface, I gave up and just put them on.  Nobody has complained yet.

[E-Body Products]

I can get you a set (see my catalog online).  They are made from a plastic material and are already painted.  However, I think the paint on them could be better and I have actually started to re-paint mine organasol black because I think it will look cool.  Organasol black is not facory correct, rather the silver with black accents is the correct paint (as noted above by Mopar Clown).  I also stripped the manufacturers paint (sanded) first prior to priming.  So far, I am very happy with them.  I think they will turn out nice.

I think the factory simply painted the originals with organasol black with the gun angled towards the back of the rocker gills.  Then, I think they sprayed the silver (argent) the opposite direction to avoid getting paint on the back of the gills which would cover the black.  This is the way I would do it anyway and avoid all of the masking.

[4 speed fish]

I bought a good quality set of repros.I sanded down the argent finish.Then I sprayed them with light argent,then I used a satin color for the black slats.I tape off each one  and hand painted the slats,just do so many per day and it will get done.If you do a good job on the black it makes a huge difference.

[swede-cuda]

 :swaying:i recomend the gills from B Tucker,very nice,they are painted in silver.i bought soft/bendable? masking tape and masked off the gills and sprayed on the black at the edge of the gills.and it came out magnificent.i dont think fiberglass ones will be nice enauff for your car,i had a set and sent them back to where they belonged.they where flat on the backside.those on the market now are nice on the backside to,aswell the outside and have distances built in them for where the screws go thru on the back side,so they should fit better against the rocker panel.B Tucker.