1957 stainless blisterbead

[J. Wagnon]

Hey guys, Who is the best stainless steel restorer in the country?

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

Rather than restoring, perhaps your piece is being reproduced.
I don't know details about 57's, but my '55 Eldorado has a thin
bead molding that runs down the rear quarter panel that was
originally done in pot metal.  Few survived.

They are being reproduced by several firms in stainless.  Perhaps
you should search the net for a good replacement.  The cost would
sure beat restoring the old ones -- if that were even possible.

Try these guys for starters:

http://usapartssupply.com/

Good luck,

Mike

[Roger Zimmermann]

Mike, I'm confused. Are you meaning the thin and long molding which almost is joining the tail lamp bezel? On my '56 this part was made with plain steel. I reproduced them with brass.

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

Roger -- sorry for my rather confusing message.  Yes, the
originals were mild steel.  I've seen reproductions in brass,
stainless and mild (regular) steel also with screw threads
on the pins to make installation easier.  As you know the
pins were problematic, they usually corroded and broke off.

Mike

[J. Wagnon]

I'm not finding any repos for a 2 door in the 1957 model year at USA parts or other sites. Am I missing something? Also were not the 1957s made of stainless?

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

The '55-'56 were mild steel, perhaps the '57's were stainless but
I'm not sure.  If USA doesn't have them, then maybe someone else
will chime in with another recommendation.  That's usually my first
choice when I'm looking for something.

Mike

[Roger Zimmermann]

  I've seen reproductions in brass,
stainless and mild (regular) steel also with screw threads
on the pins to make installation easier.  As you know the
pins were problematic, they usually corroded and broke off.

Mike, thanks for the explanation! My parts had still all pins, but I dislike this solution. I silver soldered thread pins when I reproduced my parts; the assembly was with nuts from inside. I gave my original parts to the buyer from my '56 Sedan de Ville as he has a '55 Eldo and those moldings were missing.

To J. Wagnon: the modings are the same as the '58 coupes, made with stainless steel. They are rare and expensive if you can find them!

[J. Wagnon]

Is it an option to use the 2 pieces per side from a 4 door, tig weld them together and ploish?

[Roger Zimmermann]

Could be, but you will have to find some very good welder who can position both ends very precisely to have no step after grinding and polishing.