Preservation of a 68 Camaro

[cook_dw]

Photo 30 & 31 - While the trunk lock is out I went ahead and did a cleaning and polishing of it. Granted there is some residue in the key hole after polishing but will be removed and clean when reinstalled.

Photo 32 - 33 - Also while out I cleaned the tail light bezels and housings. Bezels were done with Zep Citrus Degreaser (can be purchased anywhere I'd assume but I get it at Home Depot) and a hand polish. Then the housings I did the same Zep cleaning and after wiping them down I used #0000 steel wool and a soap water solution and cleaned the galvanized. I think they turned out ok being originals.


Photo 34 - 37 - Rear side marker lights were soaked in dawn soap and hot water to get them cleaned and then I used the da polisher and #205 to clean up the lenses. Sorry no before photos on these.

Photo 38 - 40 - Last updates for today. This was the original license plate light before cleaning. Cleaning procedure is pretty much the same citrus degreaser but then I soak it in evaporust. Once out of the evapo I coat it down with RPM (Rust Preventative Magic). From my experiences the evapo will remove zinc plating or cad plating. I decided to proceed as I was going to protect it with RPM.

[Stihl]

Great thread. I will be following.

[Pro Stock John]

Following!

[scuncio]

Nice work!

[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

[cook_dw]

I appreciate the kind words Tim but work & life balance just isn't suitable for me to continue doing this as a side business. Maybe one day in the future.



As I mentioned yesterday I was going to have to source a trunk lid emblem and a header panel emblem which came in the first part of this week. No pitting and a little worn. Should fit perfect with the layout of the car.



Photo 53 - Header panel emblem

Photo 54 - 57 - Trunk emblem. You can see the original painted stripes have the contour cutout for the emblem which is why I removed most but not all of the body work that had been done prior to me getting my hands on it.

[Lemans69]

This a great thread! Thanks for taking the time to describe the products, procedures, and photos!

[PeteLeathersac]

'

Awesome stuff Darrell, keep rockin'!

~ Pete

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[A12pilot]

Excellent work Big D!! Love you documentarary () on the products you use too. Good job!!

Cheers
Dave