Powder coating would not work on the lower window moldings of the quarter glass or the door. Likewise it would not work for the corner molding of the quarter glass or the drip rails. Powder coating will not work on these pieces because they have rubber/plastic inlays that would burn or melt away during the baking process of the powder coating. Powder coat is baked at 400-800 degrees (depending on material; steel, iron, aluminum, etc). Those aren’t very friendly numbers to soft rubber or plastic.

Powder coating would work on the windshield trim and hatch window trim. However, for the expense you would be better off spraying it yourself with a coat of lacquer and clear from a spray can. I say lacquer simply because it will be more durable than enamel over time.

The glue, the glue. I can’t find the glue.
Scott

 

I've had luck with refinishing the moldings that the plastic covering is either A) still completely attached or B) completely detached.

Powder coating is possible for the moldings that the plastic is completely detatched, but remember you'll have to remove the rubber endpieces, and then what about the rubber that seals against the glass?

I scuff and clean the moldings that the plastic is still attached, and spray pigment and clear directly on them. The moldings that the plastic is off of I'll scuff, primer, and then pigment and clear. The rubber parts are restored with an application of that rubber tool handle dip (rubberize it).

The automotive urathane clear is the 'durability' layer; uv protective too.

Ken

 

any of those trim parts (including drip rail and windhsield moulding) can be polished with a good plastic polish (novus or blue magic etc.) and will come out nice as long as there are no cracks in the plastic itself

 

powder coating is just another type of paint. Its easier and cheaper just to spray paint the trim. I did that on my old 82 then polished them and they looked better then new.

 

For the middle door trim replace them with wood panels from the hardware store just like Deans rocker moulding replacements. Its cheap easy and no one can tell unless they really look close. For the trim below the windows if the plastic is already cracking, you can peel the rest off and reveal the aluminum layer and paint that.

 

i do have some spare moldings from my 86.. ill play around with that this winter then..