1967 Rocker Panels

[Donald O.]

I am going to try and refresh the black portions of the rocker panels on my 1967 vert (under car exhaust rocker panels) and I have questions.

1. What is the best solvent cleaner to remove all traces of wax, tar, oils, grime, from the black? I have Xylene, Toluene, MEK, generic lacquer thinner, and denatured alcohol. I am not concerned about removing all of the black paint prior to repainting the black.

2. I am planning on using SEM Trim Black for the black. Comments?

Don

[Thomas N.]

Re: 1967 Rocker Panels

Donald
I suggest that you strip off all of the paint. It is quite easy, and they you wouldn't worry about contaminates in the paint. You can strip off the old paint in like 10 minutes and have a fresh, consistent surface. I find it is always best to get rid of any paint, and start fresh than trying to scuff/blend/and remove imperfections/chips, etc. I like to use lacquer thinner to wipe/clean parts, but you could start gumming/softening the paint and if you don't wait long enough could pose issues with trapped thinner/soft paint. If you just want to remove tar, oils and waxes, use paint prep sol, designed explicitly for the task of paint preparation.

I usually find that if I try to paint over old surfaces, I'm usually stripping the entire part after, because I'm not satisfied with the results, so start off with stripping and going from there.

[Donald O.]

Re: 1967 Rocker Panels

Would a paint stripper remove the anodizing?

[Russ S.]

Re: 1967 Rocker Panels

No stripper will not remove anodizing.

[Gerard F.]

Re: 1967 Rocker Panels

Don,

I used the SEM Trim Black on my 67 frame. Just remove the grease, oil, grime with a good degreaser. No prime. It worked out great.

[Phillip M.]

Re: 1967 Rocker Panels

For fast, efficient removal of road tar, grease and other petro. products with minimal to no effect on auto paint, I have always had good results using VM&P Naptha. It's the primary ingredient of Prep-Sol, is readily available and not too expensive. I have even used this with good results as a wax remover on painted surfaces. As stated above, on this particular situation the paint stripper will remove any tar or grease that's there.

[Gerard F.]

Re: 1967 Rocker Panels

Don,

Sorry about my confusion with the frame above. When I did my rocker panels I stripped them with high strength lacquer thinner, simple green and steel wool. I then stprayed them with SEM Trim Black.

Here's some photos:

[Donald O.]

Re: 1967 Rocker Panels

Thanks guys.
I stripped it with lacquer thinner and stripper. Wiped all down with prep sol, taped off the non-black areas, gave it four thin coats of SEM Trim Black after drying in between. After final dry I pulled off the tape. Looks right to me.

Sorry, no pics.
Don

[Thomas N.]

Re: 1967 Rocker Panels

That's great! Glad you got the results you want!