I tried searching here, but can't find information on my '68 convertible molding. I need to order new pieces and they are offered in Chrome and Satin Chrome. Which one is correct? I am talking about the piece that screws to the top of the front windshield frame.
I think early 68 had chrome... later 1/2 satin. 69 full satin. but , best bet is to look at your sun visor knuckles, because those are to "match" the header bar!
and a note.....when you buy "satin" now, most are not satin ,but painted! ( maybe have yours redone? You can get them satin if you have it done) and it is just the top on 69s, not the 1" or so that goes down to the w/s pillar. I got the satin for my 69 (from Classic Ind)....after a year or so, I had many places where the "satin" scraped off....I decided to remove the paint...bought Eastwoods paint remover..., I covered my visors, and had a "drop cloth"....I have some pics of this, will post.see how the satin is partly removed in one pic, and not on pass side. then it looked funny with the satin knuckles ,so I bought 67 chrome knuckles, so now it looks great...not "correct", but not a single person has pointed it out to me...either they are being nice (yeah ,right!) or they dont know...
took 2 turns of 20 minutes to get the paint off, most of it in the first try , the rest in second...I painted it on ,went in , watched TV , came back out!
If it was an earlier 68 model like mine, the units would be half and half.
Cat, how early is early? My '68 is a second week of September build, and it has satin chrome. (LOR plant)
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
The "satin" finish is quite fragile...super easy to scrape up, especially during installation. Convertable header mouldings are not the easiest parts to R&R.
I use a rag with laquer thinner, and alot of elbow grease, to remove the "satin" coating after I installed them. Bjorn's method sounds much easier.
I'm a hobbyist. Not a professional. Don't be hatin'!
My Sept 67 68 had Satin as well. ..and as said before I opted to have the originals replated with a nickel finish to mimic the satin look. If you can salvage your originals stick with them.
My 68' is the half satin,half chrome. Original piece as well. I'm wondering if one could have it fully chromed and then masked and "satinized" kind of like how (Pedlonderite?) had his deluxe wheel horn sections refurbished.
David
Last edited by blk68firebird400ragtop; 06/08/0910:03 PM.
http://FirstGenFirebird.org/show/closeup.mv?CarID=571 If i don't get this car back on the road soon i'm gonna go postal! On a quest for FGF knowledge 1968 Pontiac Firebird Convertible 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass "S" Convertible *Sold*
To add more to the tale, I have GM factory replacements that are painted silver, unlike the full nickle (satin) finish on my '69. Mine was an early build.
Second question... Now that I have the parts, how the heck do they get mounted? I pulled the old ones off with some serious prying, but I don't want to damage the new ones. What is the proper proceedure?
