1973 Blazer tailgate aluminum panel restoration

[ontheroadagain]

Looking for a shop who can restore the aluminum tailgate panel for a 1973 Blazer. Just a few small dents but also want the brushed finish to be restored afterwards. Rachel

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[fast 99]

Know someone here that can fix the dents, problem is the anodizing. Bright dip is a black art. If a new replacement is available, it will be cheaper.

A few years ago, a local Corvette restorer was using people in California for this type of work. Got the impression they were doing it in a backyard under the table kind of operation. Anodizing is basically a sulfuric acid process, extremely bad for the environment. Lots of controls on it.

 

[K5 Blazer]

Did you have any luck on restoring your tailgate band? In the same situation with the same vehicle.

 

[ali_c20]

The tailgate band of my K5 was completely shot, it had dents and holes from a spare tire carrier and other stuff.
I made an aluminum reinforcement plate with new mountings.
Made the old band as straight as possible and glued the reinforcement in.
Used aluminum based filler/bondo and sanded it to get a smooth surface.
Painted the flat part of the band with 2k epoxy primer.
Put a foil with brushed aluminum structure that is a composite of foil and aluminum on the painted part.
Installed.
I got the foil from a car wrapping company. Was a bit pricey but it should last at least 15 years.
Does not exactly look like the original band but it's straight and has no holes.

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[TotalyHucked]

As stated earlier, because of the precision work involved and the anodizing process being so controlled by the EPA now, it's hard to find a place that can do this. These are available new in the aftermarket, you'd be money ahead to buy one of those

 

[Zelph]

Did you have any luck on restoring your tailgate band? In the same situation with the same vehicle.

I would hit up a hot rod shop or custom car shops and see about having them repair any dents or straightening and maybe do the finishing.
If you just have the metal work done by them, there is a “boatload” of anodizing facilities in your neck of the woods.

A cheap (used by myself) option for a brushed finish is to use maroon sanding pads and WD40.