1970 Challenger R/T SE - Front Valance Trim

[gomangoRT/SE]

Yes, the $275 for the BE&A are rich indeed.   I kept an original posting of theirs where it was $175 and I thought that was top end price.  Next thing you know it was $275 and the wrong finish to boot.   Its not a high production piece granted and I understand the yada yada yada about the tooling expense to make this but........I dunno $275 is still stratospheric for an item thats not correct from the get go.   

[willard]

Thanks for info on the incorrect finish - I'll still look for OEM piece, even if it is in not perfect condition. Last week a guy was selling a NOS left piece for $150.

[Chryco Psycho]

I will try to get  pic to you later today

[sublime r/t se]

FYI: THe BE&A parts are the wrong finish. Originals were bright, shiny anodized, but the repops are more of a satin finish. I alerted the sales tards at Carlisle about it, but they didn't seem to give a crap.

I agree that $275 is about double what the retail should be on these. I'm a toolmaker, so YES, I do know what it takes to make parts like this.

I know the repops are expensive, but could the finish be polished out to be made a bit more shiny?

[quapman]

I know the repops are expensive, but could the finish be polished out to be made a bit more shiny?

No, you usually can't polish an anodized finish without breaking through to the base metal. This type of plating is very thin, like .0002".

[burdar]

Steve's right...you can't polish an anodised part without stripping the anodising off first.  Some people have used oven cleaner to strip the anodising but you have to be very careful.  Oven cleaner will also eat the aluminium if left on too long.

I had my valance trim and header panel trim stripped and polished over the summer.  The parts looked very good when I sent them off.  When I got them back, they looked awful.  There were pits everywhere.  The anodising hid those pits very well.  I'm going to have to get replacements. 

This is just my opinion but if your building a nice driver, you can probably get away with stripping and polishing your existing trim.  If your building a show car, then I'd buy the new trim from BE&A.  I have his tail panel trim and it looks very nice.  It is shinier than stock but that's fine for me.  If your building an OE car, then price is of no concern and you'll have to find NOS.   

[AMXguy]

I've done lots of anodized parts by taking a small DA with 400 grit followed by 600 grit then polish out on a buffer.

It's a lot of work but it smooths most pits and scratches out at the same time as the anodizing is coming off. parts with tight corners and holes have to be done by hand or with a dremel but it can be done. of course after this you have to hit it with aluminum polish once in a while to keep it looking good.

 I did this on my SE valance trim and it looks like new other than it has a little too much shine.