'70 Challenger (Hood / Trunk Latch, Lever, Striker)

[filmsurgeon]

What were the factory finishes on these components (Trunk Latch and Striker; Hood Latch, Lever and Striker)?  Obviously they weren't body color painted like mine are (stupidly done by the prior owner).  Didn't he realize that the paint would quickly scrape off with just a few openings and closings of the hood/trunk?  I'd like to strip the paint off the appropriate pieces and have them re-plated (if that's how they were from the factory).  Which parts/sections were body color painted?  Was it only the hood latch assembly's vertical support?  Thanks for your help.

[filmsurgeon]

Does anyone have any information to share regarding this?  Anything about anything in my first post will be appreciated.  Thanks.

[filmsurgeon]

Does anyone have any information to share regarding this?  Anything about anything in my first post will be appreciated.  Thanks.

 

[anlauto]

The bar bolted to the hood and the bar bolted to the trunk lid should be body colour.
The trunk latch should be silver.
The hood latch, spring, and secondary safety catch should be brown.

Contact Jules the Wiperman to have them restored correctly. http://julesdaddio.com/

[filmsurgeon]

The bar bolted to the hood and the bar bolted to the trunk lid should be body colour.
The trunk latch should be silver.
The hood latch, spring, and secondary safety catch should be brown.

Contact Jules the Wiperman to have them restored correctly. http://julesdaddio.com/

I know about Jules and the outstanding quality of the work he does, but I'd prefer to not have to send my parts out of the Country for restoration (because of the shipping costs).  Also, I am on a limited budget, and don't need to have concours, 100 point, gold level restoration done for these parts.  Are there any other reputable service providers that can be recommended for this type of service?  Thanks for your feedback.

[anlauto]

When I have customers working on a tight(er) budget I spray paint the hood latch a safety catch.

First I strip them of any paint, then acid strip them of any rust or wire wheel them.
Then I spray a thin coat of flat black then a finish coat of transparent "smoke" to give them a really odd looking shade of grayish black... Duplicolor makes several different transparent colours. I'll see if I can find a picture.

[filmsurgeon]

When I have customers working on a tight(er) budget I spray paint the hood latch a safety catch.

First I strip them of any paint, then acid strip them of any rust or wire wheel them.
Then I spray a thin coat of flat black then a finish coat of transparent "smoke" to give them a really odd looking shade of grayish black... Duplicolor makes several different transparent colours. I'll see if I can find a picture.

Thanks.  Unfortunately, because of my budget constraints, this is likely the approach I'll need to take for now and until I can afford to do a "correct" restoration on the pieces.  Pictures and/or additional info on the Duplicolor transparent paint would be appreciated.  Would you say the Duplicolor paint is on par with Eastwood paint products in this application?

[anlauto]

Yes. You could try the Eastwood's "Blackening Kit", but it's a pain in the arse and getting good results is near impossible.

There's a picture of a Duster hood latch at the bottom of this page

http://www.alangallantautomotiverestoration.com/COMPONENT-RESTORATION.html

[burdar]

I've had good luck so far with the black oxide solution from Caswell Plating.  It's cheap and it doesn't lose its strength like I've heard the Eastwood kit does. Just buy the concentrate.  For some reason my latches turned brown in the solution.  I don't know why they did that but that's the color they are supposed to be.  Even if yours turn black, they will look better then chipped body color.  Just so you know, the solution does nothing for rust protection.  You'll need to spray them with a clear coat or do what I did and apply RPM to them.  Here's how mine turned out.

[filmsurgeon]

Yes. You could try the Eastwood's "Blackening Kit", but it's a pain in the arse and getting good results is near impossible.

There's a picture of a Duster hood latch at the bottom of this page

http://www.alangallantautomotiverestoration.com/COMPONENT-RESTORATION.html

Went to the link.  Didn't see ANY hood latches.

[anlauto]

Went to the link.  Didn't see ANY hood latches.

Under "ASSECORIES" 3 from the left 4 down.

[filmsurgeon]

I'm finally getting around to dealing with my hood/trunk latches, and the hood safety hook.  Sadly, I won't be able to get them done by Jules.  Has anyone had theirs powder-coated?  If so, how did that turn out?  I'd really rather NOT just spray paint them, as that would result in not very durable results, but it would be the cheapest alternative.  I seriously feel that re-plating them assembled is out of the question.  Thanks for the advice.