It wasn't too long ago that all auto manufacturers utilized polished or anodized trim on even their base-level models in order to highlight the swoopy curves of a taillight panel or frame a windshield. Where did all of the trim or brightwork go? It didn't go anywhere; it's just that the manufacturers have turned to polymer-based plastics as the material of choice for the trim pieces.
In order to get a new car with anything but a blacked-out or body-colored trim package, one has to move to a luxury model or other specialized product offering. Trim pieces that were constructed of stainless steel, aluminum, and pot metal were phased out of the Pontiac lineup in the '80s for the cost and weight reduction necessary to stay competitive in the market and meet the federal mileage requirements. This forced GM to utilize more plastics not only in trim, but throughout the passenger cabin.
For owners of classic Pontiacs that are either undergoing a restoration or looking to return the trim to its former brilliance, there are several options available. According to Melvin Benzaquen, HPP contributor and owner of Classic Restoration Enterprises, "Aftermarket trim pieces are readily available for most '60s and '70s Pontiac A- and F-bodies, but not everything is reproduced. Even the most popular models, like a '66-'67 GTO, have gaps in what's available. If you own a Grand Prix or a full-size Catalina or Bonneville, so far, the aftermarket hasn't responded with a substantial amount of trim parts."
Rather than buying reproduction parts for the items that can be found or attempting to find N.O.S. parts, owners can have their trim parts expertly restored by specialty service providers such as Metal Polishing and Refinishing (MPR) of Big Sandy, Texas.
According to Bill Fell, owner of MPR, "I started the business in 1996 after attempting to find somebody to repair and polish some accessories on a classic Harley-Davidson that I was restoring. I wasn't satisfied with the product that was returned to me, so I decided to restore the part myself. After the initial success, I found that I enjoyed the work and decided to open a metal-polishing and refinishing shop since I was tired of operating a printing press for a living.
"After investing in the polishing equipment and shop tools, I created a home-based business that operates out of my garage. Initially, I worked out of my residence in Dallas, Texas, and spent the majority of the time polishing motorcycle parts. It wasn't long before a motorcycle customer asked me to restore some trim on his Tri-Five Chevy. Soon thereafter, classic-automobile trim restoration started to become a large part of the business.
"Pontiacs, Tri-Five Chevrolets, and classic-Corvette owners looking to restore the trim for a restoration or car destined for the show-car circuit are what drive the business. Restoration of trim that isn't reproduced is the majority of the work, but many owners of cars with available reproductions choose to restore their trim to ensure that the car is all-original and the part has the proper fit and finish. In addition, it's often more cost-effective to restore the original trim than to purchase a reproduction part.
"As the business grew, my wife, Amy, and I decided to move to a less populated area in east Texas, increase the size of the shop, and have her join the business full-time. Word-of-mouth from restoration shops and enthusiasts has allowed us to expand the business and develop a national and international clientele."
Follow along as MPR provides a detailed look at what goes into restoring some '67 GTO trim.
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The original trim was expertly removed by Classic Restorations, and after careful wrapping and packaging, was shipped to MPR. Once the trim arrived, it was unpacked and inspected. Arranged from top to bottom are the trunk-lid trim, driver and passenger tail-panel (eyebrow) moldings, and driver and passenger door-top and quarter-window trim. The trunk-lid piece is the only item currently in reproduction. |
After each piece is unpacked by Amy, they are inspected for any damage that could cause restoration problems, such as holes in the metal, cracks, and sharp creases. Items such as the rubber on this door molding are carefully removed using a small screwdriver and needle-nose pliers. Each trim piece is then measured for total length, and a work order is generated. Pricing is $17.50 per foot with the door-top molding measuring 3 feet and 8 inches. |
In preparation for restoration, the molding is thoroughly cleaned on a Baldor 3/4-horse dual-buffing station that runs at 2,800 rpm. Using a Sisal wheel with a course emery cutting compound, the dirt and surface rust is removed from the exterior of the molding. (This is a mock-up shot: Bill always wears eye protection.) |
After removing the majority of the old age, a narrower wheel is installed, and the back of the molding is cleaned. |