Preservation of a 68 Camaro

[cook_dw]

Thanks gentlemen.

Continuing on. As mentioned previously the passenger side bumper guard was damaged and wasn't repairable without welded and damaging the chrome on the shiny side. So I dug around my pile of parts and found a suitable replacement as well as a set of very clean original rubbers and installed them. I am pleased with the finished product.

Steps of cleaning were:

1. Citrus degreaser
2. Evaporust bath (submerge into 5 gal bucket). This took a solid 2 days with the weather in the 30-60F
3. Hard metals polish (green stick) on a buffing wheel on a pedestal mounted grinder.
4. Finish with RPM on the back sides of the guards and hand polish the chrome

Hardware for the guards while using all the original components consist of markings of RBW (bolt supplier). Something to note while I was going through my other guards I had 2 "A" lettered bolts from one of the sets. Food for thought.

Like to mention the upper bracket and bolt were zinc plated and required soaking in evapo on the bracket and a cleaning & polishing of the bolt Lower bolt is phosphate and only soaked in evapo and then coated in a silicone based lubricant. I used PB Blaster Silicone Lubricant.

Photo 41 - 43 - Before photos of the chosen replacement and the original guard from the drivers side.

Photo 44 - 46 - After results

Before I get too far ahead I wanted to go back and clean up the passenger door handle and lock. The handle had a very small amount of micro pitting but I feel like I was able to reduce it some. So a thorough cleaning with, yep you guessed it, citrus degreaser and then hard polish on the buffing wheel. Something I'm not sure many realize or maybe its me and I had forgotten but don't forget to button gasket. Luckily mine was not damaged and still pliable so I reused it.

Photo 47 - Before handle and sorry didn't get a shot of the lock prior.

Photo 48 & 49 - After.

Photo 50 - 51 - Door lock clip in its original finish along markings

Photo 52 - Trio shot including the trunk lock.

[napa68]

If you're not doing this for a business Darrell, you should really think about it! You have an eye for detail that is hard found.

I recently went through your thread (again) for your Dad's car over on CRG.......very enjoyable (again)!

Tim