I have tried to remove the header moldings and gave up.. the windshield, moldings, sun visors all have to be removed. I eventually wired wheel and sprayed and came out really nice shape....

I think you are better off with originals if you can even find a nice set for sale?

 

I was successful in getting the originals off and getting the repros on. Not an easy task! They do fit well enough and look pretty good. Saving the originals for possible fixing and rechrome (satin).

 

I had a heck of a time getting the repro header moldings to fit properly and ended up scratching the heck out of the satin ones so I ordered a set of the chrome ones that I think will look better.

 

The satin is just paint on repros, so you can touch it up

 

With what?

 

Yeah I have the chrome ones. I have tried to put them on once and failed miserably. Then I decided to do a re-paint on my car and go from red to Lemans blue. So if anybody has pictures of a set of aftermarket's on and some info on how you did it I would sure appreciate it thanks

 

Read this starting with reply #4:
Opinions on reproduction convertible header moulding?

I had my original ones re-chromed locally (yes, and with copper) at a cost of $175 for the pair. They are back on the car and fit perfect.
The repros are a crap shoot, IMO.

Mike

 

Rechroming the originals is a good option on a 67 if they are not too pitted, but all chrome is not correct for 68/69. That's why I was trying so hard to find a chrome shop who could duplicate the factory satin finish. Never could find one who knew how to do it.

 

I think that if I could find a set of originals that needed rechecked I may buy them just based on the information that I have from the guys here but I am open to any information anyone has on those that made the re-pops work OK

 

I did some extensive research trying to find out what process the factory used for the original satin finish, and came up empty. It appears that it was some kind of etching process, not paint or a coating. If you look at a set of originals, there is no distinct line like you get with the painted on moldings. I replaced the ones on my 67 with aftermarket chromed ones, and they do not fit nearly as well as the originals. On my 69 I just sanded and wire wheeled the corroded areas on the originals, filled the pits with epoxy filler, primed and painted with argent silver, and they look pretty good and have held up well. I figure they look and hold up as well as the aftermarket ones, and I didn't have to go through the headache of prying them off. Plus, they fit better!

 

Old thread from CRG site. There might be another one over where JohnZ or someone explained the satin chroming process.


68 Convertible Windshield Header Moldings

 

At some point, perhaps during the model year changeover, they went from the half chrome / half satin moldings to 95% satin, where just the little leg on the A-pillar remained chrome. My 68 was a very early production car, and it has the ones that are almost all satin.