Topic: 65-66 Seat Side Shield

[FXguy]

I am curious about the stainless repro offered by VCM, and the aluminum Drake repro, as compared to NOS originals.  Seems to me (from the pictures) that the stainless are much shinier than NOS, and thinking that these probably wouldn't fare well in MCA judging.  Wonder the same thing about the Drake, at least they appear to be closer to the same shine as OEM. 

Was considering having originals restored, but have not seen a service that does it.

I have yet to find a set of NOS originals whose condition warranted the price.

Thanks in advance for the input.

-Scott

[CharlesTurner]

I haven't seen the stainless ones, but knowing that stainless is generally harder material, I would think there would be obvious differences side by side.

For concours, the best way to go is NOS or have a very nice original pair restored and hot-dip anodized.

[FXguy]

For concours, the best way to go is NOS or have a very nice original pair restored and hot-dip anodized.

I figured, thanks.  The seats are all original and the original side shields aren't dented, but they do have scratches and small scrapes on the edges.  Found a place to restore them, estimate is $900 for 2 square corner sill plates and 2 seat side shields.

[CharlesTurner]

The restoration process is different for sill plates and seat moldings.  Sill plates were just polished metal, I have not observed an anodized finish on those.  Any original I have ever hit with some metal polish immediately turns the rag black which would not happen if they were anodized.

[Bob Gaines]

I haven't seen the stainless ones, but knowing that stainless is generally harder material, I would think there would be obvious differences side by side.

For concours, the best way to go is NOS or have a very nice original pair restored and hot-dip anodized.

The process is called Brite Dip Anodized . And for those reading Brite Dip has a different look compared to regular anodized . Regular anodizing makes a shiny aluminum part look duller which is typically a problem for car restoration. Few shops that do anodizing also do the Brite Dip process . Many who do regular anodizing wrongly claim it is the same as the Brite Dip process so be careful. Hemmings typically is a good place to check for companies who do the correct Brite Dip process.   

[FXguy]

The restoration process is different for sill plates and seat moldings.  Sill plates were just polished metal, I have not observed an anodized finish on those.  Any original I have ever hit with some metal polish immediately turns the rag black which would not happen if they were anodized.

I previously thought the same, and have had sill plates polished in the past for other cars.  On these square corner sill plates ( have three sets) the original finish under where the Ford label was, is nearly identical in appearance to the seat side trim.  Then flipping them both over the back sides look nearly identical as well (more of a brushed appearance on both), although the sill plate has more areas that are oxidized, presumably due to exposure to more moisture, there are still a few nice surviving areas for comparison.  See pics.

[CharlesTurner]

Try metal polish, like Mother's Mag polish, on both and you'll see what I mean.  Usually nothing comes off when rubbing the seat side shields, which is why the brite dip (thx Bob) anodizing has to be re-done to remove scratches and restore to the original finish.

[FXguy]

Try metal polish, like Mother's Mag polish, on both and you'll see what I mean.  Usually nothing comes off when rubbing the seat side shields, which is why the brite dip (thx Bob) anodizing has to be re-done to remove scratches and restore to the original finish.

Yep, I did and I see what you mean.  I am told that the reason for this is that the side shields are different aluminum alloy from the sills.  That gray/black is from the other materials that are blended with the aluminum in the sills, those materials are not present in the side shields.  Aluminum oxide is white.  BTW, the bright dip and anodizing are two distinct processes.  Parts can be bright dipped without being anodized, but anodizing after the bright dip improves corrosion resistance and makes the aluminum more porous and receptive to dyes.  Here are a couple of links that explain the processes https://www.gabrian.com/bright-dip-anodizing-is-it-a-good-choice-for-your-extrusions/ https://www.pioneermetal.com/our-processes/anodizing/type-ii-anodize/

I am told that both the shields and the sills are bright dipped and anodized, but that the difference in the finished appearance is due to the difference in the alloys.

[CharlesTurner]

I guess we’ll have to disagree, I don’t believe the sill plates were anodized or hot dipped.  The aluminum alloy the parts were made from may have had some type of protective/oily coating, but that’s all.

[Bob Gaines]

I guess we’ll have to disagree, I don’t believe the sill plates were anodized or hot dipped.  The aluminum alloy the parts were made from may have had some type of protective/oily coating, but that’s all.

I agree with Charles.