Question:
The black metal trim around the rear window on my 97 XLT is all oxidixed, to the point you can start to see the bare metal underneath. Any tips on how to restore ? TIA Pat
Response:
Krylon… if the metal were not showing through you could use a rubbing compound to bring back the shine, but if it is THAT oxidized (I have seen several this way) you have to repaint it. So you can either take it to a shop, or do it yourself. You can achieve EXCELLENT results if you are careful though just by sanding it lightly, mask it off, put a couple coats of primer , sand lightly again, and then a few coats of Spray paint. I prefer the matte finish to gloss myself, and the last time I did something like this, I used semi-flat black Krylon, and the results were wonderful. In fact they looked so good that I pulled the chrome grille and painted it to match!! Of course if you have a spray gun, and are handy with it, you can buy actual automotive paint, but IMO it’s not worth the extra $$$…
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The black metal trim around the rear window on my 97 XLT is all oxidixed, > to the point you can start to see the bare metal underneath. Any tips on > how to restore ? > TIA > Pat
Response:
Appreciate the response. It’ll give me something to do this summer.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Krylon… > if the metal were not showing through you could use a rubbing compound to > bring back the shine, but if it is THAT oxidized (I have seen several this > way) you have to repaint it. > So you can either take it to a shop, or do it yourself. You can achieve > EXCELLENT results if you are careful though just by sanding it lightly, mask > it off, put a couple coats of primer , sand lightly again, and then a few > coats of Spray paint. > I prefer the matte finish to gloss myself, and the last time I did something > like this, I used semi-flat black Krylon, and the results were wonderful. > In fact they looked so good that I pulled the chrome grille and painted it > to match!! > Of course if you have a spray gun, and are handy with it, you can buy actual > automotive paint, but IMO it’s not worth the extra $$$… > The black metal trim around the rear window on my 97 XLT is all oxidixed, > to the point you can start to see the bare metal underneath. Any tips on > how to restore ? > TIA > Pat
Response:
Chief is right about the "matte" paint. Gloss will look cheezy the minute you step back to survey your results and "flat" paint seems to develop shiny spots quickly. — Jim Warman
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Krylon… > if the metal were not showing through you could use a rubbing compound to > bring back the shine, but if it is THAT oxidized (I have seen several this > way) you have to repaint it. > So you can either take it to a shop, or do it yourself. You can achieve > EXCELLENT results if you are careful though just by sanding it lightly, mask > it off, put a couple coats of primer , sand lightly again, and then a few > coats of Spray paint. > I prefer the matte finish to gloss myself, and the last time I did something > like this, I used semi-flat black Krylon, and the results were wonderful. > In fact they looked so good that I pulled the chrome grille and painted it > to match!! > Of course if you have a spray gun, and are handy with it, you can buy actual > automotive paint, but IMO it’s not worth the extra $$$… > The black metal trim around the rear window on my 97 XLT is all oxidixed, > to the point you can start to see the bare metal underneath. Any tips on > how to restore ? > TIA > Pat
Response:
Same problem with my ‘96 XLT. I used a black satin finish spray paint with very good resuts. Suggest using a good quality spray paint (such as the suggested Krylon). I removed the rear glass (get a helper) and that helped with the overall job. You may also want to do the vertical posts between the doors (assuming you don’t have the 2-door Sport version) since the same problem will happen to them sooner or later. And finally…while you’re at it check the 2 hinge bolts that protrude trough the tailgate window. They tend to rust and cause a rainbow rust stain to appear below the bolts. bt – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Krylon… > if the metal were not showing through you could use a rubbing compound to > bring back the shine, but if it is THAT oxidized (I have seen several this > way) you have to repaint it. > So you can either take it to a shop, or do it yourself. You can achieve > EXCELLENT results if you are careful though just by sanding it lightly, mask > it off, put a couple coats of primer , sand lightly again, and then a few > coats of Spray paint. > I prefer the matte finish to gloss myself, and the last time I did something > like this, I used semi-flat black Krylon, and the results were wonderful. > In fact they looked so good that I pulled the chrome grille and painted it > to match!! > Of course if you have a spray gun, and are handy with it, you can buy actual > automotive paint, but IMO it’s not worth the extra $$$… > The black metal trim around the rear window on my 97 XLT is all oxidixed, > to the point you can start to see the bare metal underneath. Any tips on > how to restore ? > TIA > Pat