Topic: 64.5 Door Latches and Strikers

[must69]

Looking for advice on cleaning up/restoring the original door latches and strikers on my restoration project.  They look to be a silver finish on both.  All pieces work fine and are in good shape.  Suggestions?
Thanks.
Phil

[jwc66k]

The strikers and associated spacers are gold zinc (screws are clear zinc). The latch is part gold zinc, part clear zinc, part natural and difficult to take apart to do all that. There is a big problem with the springs as they get brittle and break if plated. My recommendation is to NOT get the whole assembly plated without removing the springs and rubber bumpers. There is also a problem that after intact plating, the moving parts - won't.
Jim

[must69]

Jim, furthering this conversation on door latches and strikers, is there any aerosol paint that does close to matching original latches?  My 64.5 latches are in working order, but the finish is gone and they look bad.  They have the original L & R makings on them.  Do you of a source for the rubber bumper just inside the latch?  Any word on the track record of the repros? Thanks. Phil

[markb0729]

NPD has the rubber piece in the door latch.

https://www.npdlink.com/product/bumper-door-latch-striker-repro-rubber-mounted-inside/199331

[must69]

Thanks Mark.

[CharlesTurner]

is there any aerosol paint that does close to matching original latches? l

Nope.  Any aerosol will look fake and will wear off.  The best solution is to have the parts plated to the original finishes.

[NEFaurora]

The Repro Latches "Look New" and work very well.  I've used them in the past when I didn't have NOS ones available.  The repros that I've dealt with don't have the "L" or the "R" stamped in the sides, but look pretty original otherwise...

They were good substitutes until I was able to locate NOS or Used Original replacements..

)

Tony K.

[must69]

Thanks Tony.  I have working original latches to the car, but I am doing a total restoration and they will look really old in comparison.  I have ordered aftermarket replacements. Thanks for your thoughts.
Phil

[CharlesTurner]

Thanks Tony.  I have working original latches to the car, but I am doing a total restoration and they will look really old in comparison.  I have ordered aftermarket replacements. Thanks for your thoughts.
Phil

I'd re-plate the originals 100x before buying repro.