Topic: '78 tail light bezels

[skisix38off]

Are these made from steel or are they plastic?

Mine are not smooth and shiny and before I start working to get them shiny I thought I better ask what material is under the paint.  I think some one at some point painted black over these and didn't do a very good job and didn't bother to do any processing after they painted them to smooth the paint out, then I suspect that they sat out in the sun for extended periods and got baked....

[RENOVATIONS]

Are these made from steel or are they plastic?

They are metal

[skisix38off]

Are these made from steel or are they plastic?

They are metal

Thanks!
How much time should be set aside to remove for prepping and possibly re-painting?  Is it Al.?  Or will regular paint prep work be enough to make them look right?  Paint doesn't like to stick to Al.....

[Anderson0741]

Just unbolt them from the car, and then pull them out. after that the lenses will slide out. 10 minutes?

[brian c]

They're a white metal casting. A trip through the bead cabinet cleaned them up very nicely for me. Hardest part was separating them from the body - rear bumper needed to be pushed down on to get the necessary clearance.

Use normal paint prep techniques and you'll be fine.

[RENOVATIONS]

They're a white metal casting. A trip through the bead cabinet cleaned them up very nicely for me. Hardest part was separating them from the body - rear bumper needed to be pushed down on to get the necessary clearance.

Use normal paint prep techniques and you'll be fine.

Agreed on all counts.
They are made of something similar to a pot metal...I've seen some with the studs broken off.

[skisix38off]

The black trim around the front and back windows are in a similar condition...  Is that the same white metal cast material for the tail light bezels?  Also, how do I remove that trim without damaging it?  They are PRICEY!!!!

[brian c]

No, the window trim is something entirely different. You can bend the heck out of those if you don't use the right tools. I believe they're a light steel or aluminum....you can find out very quickly with a magnet

I took the smaller window trim pieces through a bead blast cabinet to clean them up for painting. Then used standard paint prep techniques to get them up to snuff again.

[skisix38off]

No, the window trim is something entirely different. You can bend the heck out of those if you don't use the right tools. I believe they're a light steel or aluminum....you can find out very quickly with a magnet

I took the smaller window trim pieces through a bead blast cabinet to clean them up for painting. Then used standard paint prep techniques to get them up to snuff again.

What are the right tools then?  Is there a sticky on how to start this process or a "how to" or something for removing the window trim pieces?  That what I want to know- this is something that would make a HUGE difference in the look of my TA but I am scared to start it because it's risky to pull off and expensive to replace... 

[RENOVATIONS]

This is the correct tool for removing the trim around the front and rear glass...very easy to use.