[thehugger]

1968 Std. Cpe./327/4 spd./4bbl
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I have a couple of questions regarding my drip rails. I am currently doing bodywork. The previous painter didn't do a good job with the drip rails. I ended up scraping out all of the old caulking from the channel. My questions are:

-1- What is the best product to use for re-caulking the channels (something that's paintable I assume)? Should I prime the metal underneath first?

-2- My Camaro did not come with drip rail mouldings and I don't want to pop for new ones, but I've always liked the chrome look. I got them to polish up pretty nicely, can I just clear coat them or will they turn ugly over time. Or I have an Eastwood "chrome" paint I could try.

Thanks in advance,
Dan

 

[Everett#2390]

My suggestions:

-1- What is the best product to use for re-caulking the channels (something that's paintable I assume)? Should I prime the metal underneath first?

No primer, bare metal and use a body sealer.

I got them to polish up pretty nicely, can I just clear coat them or will they turn ugly over time. Or I have an Eastwood "chrome" paint I could try.

They might stay in good shape. No, don't use NC Chrome. Ask for a set of drip moldings for Father's Day, your birthday or Xmas.

Maybe the next time your at the recycle yard, you might find a Camaro/Firebird with d/r moldings. Be sure to take along a double ended opener, ie, "church key" and use the bottle top opener end, the rounded end, and carefully pull off towards you, the d/r molding. Start by removing the corner piece at the windshield/roof, then pull off the remaining two pieces from this corner and work slowly to the other end. Install just the opposite way.

 

[68RSZEE]

One thing I've had trouble with is excess paint on drip rails. When you build up primer coats and then paint coats on the drip rails you can have a heck of a time getting the chrome trim to fit. Either mask it off or don't keep building up material on the rail or you could have trouble down the road.

[ 08-02-2004, 05:48 AM: Message edited by: 68RSZEE ]

 

[thehugger]

Thanks for the help guys! Good info.
Dan

 

[MangeMD]

You can still buy the top part of the drip rail chrome new GM. (the long part)

 

[thehugger]

well, the drip rails were bare as my car sat in the garage since my post and there was already a little surface rust in some spots so it looks like painting them for now and saving up for the mouldings is the answer.

 

[67-69 Ro-Hawk]

Originally posted by Everett#2390:
My suggestions:

Maybe the next time your at the recycle yard, you might find a Camaro/Firebird with d/r moldings. Be sure to take along a double ended opener, ie, "church key" and use the bottle top opener end, the rounded end, and carefully pull off towards you, the d/r molding. Start by removing the corner piece at the windshield/roof, then pull off the remaining two pieces from this corner and work slowly to the other end. Install just the opposite way.

I did this to get my drip rail mouldings off years ago, but how do I put them back on. Will the opener bend the bottoms back?
Thanks
Sam

 

[Bob D]

If your channel is currently down to bare metal, use a metal etching primer. Then you can put in your seam sealer to smooth it out. On top of that you put your base coat, then top coat. it should come out just fine.

The new generation of etching primers will adhere to the bare metal better than the seam sealer will.
bob