'74-'78 Rear Fender Extension Plastic Chrome replacement

[Barry]

Has any talented metal worker on here considered making these pieces out of Stainless Steel ? What is offered as a replacement does not take the sharp angles and to me , are completely unacceptable. My originals were nice enough that I was able to transfer them to my new fillers. Just a thought. I know they would be expensive, but the look !!!  Barry Norman

[mgbeda]

Barry,

How the heck did you get your originals off without breaking them?  I'd love to know that.

I agree with you about the poor choices available to replace these.

-mB

[Barry]

I was LUCKY ! They just very gently came off with only 1 crack that's not noticeable. I just think some talented metal worker could make them. I don't know what looks worse, the replacement pieces or just leaving them bare ! I am happy to have been lucky to save mine.

[jagbuxx #12944]

I was able to purchase several NOS packages of the extension moldings prior to refinishing my '76 Deville.
It is a project I intend to pursue to have reproductions made.
The replacement alternative of the chrome bead without the sharp angles just does not look right...

[76eldo]

One way to get the plastic chrome beading off is to remove the body colored sections, even if you have to cut them off of the car and submerge the parts in very hot water.  The glue will release.

You can try this in the kitchen sink, or get a pan and add boiling water and let it cool enough to touch the parts.

The other problem is that the material discolors to a whitish color or sometimes a gold-ish hue over time.

Press on door edge guard plastic chrome is available in rolls at Pep Boys and similar places.  By using some small snips and/or Exacto knife you can cut out the little angles just like new ones, but it is very difficult.  The repro fillers have a different edge to them too.

It's a real problem on the 70's Cadillacs and if someone did come up with a stainless part it would be great but they would be very expensive.

Brian

[Hankk17]

can't be more expensive than the crap they're offering now Brian.  $550 for a full set of inferior quality plastic junk with horrible chrome "replacements"

I'm sorry.. do I sound a little bitter? 

And I was thinking aluminum would be easier to work with rather than stainless... 

Anyone who knows where to get a set of NOS, please let me know.  I've been searching for a decent set for a while.

-Hank

[Jeff Wilk]

What year and model?  I have nos front fillers and nos rear filler end chrome i might part with to fund my iut of control 59 fleetwood project....

[Hankk17]

hey Jeff!  specifically for my '76 coupe deville.  also looking for the chrome trim as well.

Thanks!

-Hank

[Barry]

Would also like a set for my 76 Bicentennial--just in case ! Aluminum would work just fine and can easily be polished. Wish I had the skill to take this on, but I do not. I think there would be many buyers if they are offered !

[planetcadillac]

Since I have installed umpteen of the filler sets over the years I have thought much about what to do about the chrome look trim. Currently, like most I suppose, use a plasti-chrome setup that I cut them as close as possible. They are acceptable for general use but not perfect. It is about a 4 hour process for a standard set on a 74-76 RWD.

The question is, what would be a fair price for an aluminum replacement that looks original that people are willing to pay?

They can be cut from CNC aluminum but you are looking at $150-200 for a rear set in addition to the fillers themselves.

-Craig #17308

[76eldo]

That's a very complicated process if one was to start with a flat sheet of aluminum or stainless.  It's got to be cut out, has a tri-fold, slices cut out, and then bent properly?  Sounds more like $500 a set to me if it can be done.

The originals were a plastic extrusion, nipped to allow the corners to fold inward, and plated in some way.

Whoever might have access to inside info to find out who the vendor to GM was that supplied these parts might be able to initiate a search to see if the company is still around.

I have one set of NOS ones as spares for my 76 Eldo and paid a lot for them.  A new alternative would be great.

Brian

[Barry]

$500 for a permanent  solution sounds reasonable to me ! They should have been aluminum or stainless to start with.

[76eldo]

Well, lets remember they were the trim on a part that was designed to be flexible.  We are now installing these on mostly rigid ABS plastic. 

The fillers were supposed to flex and return to position in a 5mph "tap".

Also, these were probably $8.00 a side when the cars were fairly new, so not a big deal.

But now we are faced with trying to make the back of the car look as nice as possible with limited options.

In order to be a collector/restorer, you have to be resourceful.  So far, the crap on a roll with some careful slices is the best bet.

Brian

[Barry]

I lost a section of my original the other day. Does anyone know of a good source to buy the plastic door trim in the wider width that comes with the replacement fillers ? Sounds like I'm finally going to go through the painstaking steps of cutting and notching to get a decent fit. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Barry Norman

[76eldo]

Barry,

Pep Boys has it on a roll, or try any local body shop supply store.

Brian

[Barry]

 Thanks !I have bought a roll, but it isn't as wide as what was supplied with my fillers. I assume there are 2 widths available ?

Barry Norman

[76eldo]

I believe there are two different sizes. Not sure what they are.

Take some photos when you get done.

Brian

[Barry]

Will do ! Anyone who has done the little notching cuts on the underside as to allow for the sharp bends as opposed to the rounded appearance Please feel free to chime in here ! Thanks !

Barry Norman

[76eldo]

Barry,

Once it warms up I will dig into my stash of NOS trims and make a diagram.
Right now at 20 degrees I'm not going to touch them.
I should relocate them to my basement.

Brian

[Barry]

Thanks so much, Brian ! I have all but the one piece that blew off ! That would be a great help !

Barry Norman