Has anyone tried to restore the gold trim? Or is there any way to restore it while in the car? Any special technique?
Eric, as far as I have heard, attempts to have them restored/replated have not been too successful. From my machine shop days, I remember annodizing pennetrates the surface an equal amount to the buildup, which I think makes it difficult to strip on a consistant basis. Repops are available, though a bit pricey.
I know they are a little pricey that why I asked.
I tried several times on multiple pieces of trim with every kind of gold paint out there, nothing looked right except for one it was a shiny gold plating looking spray paint it looked good as long as you didn't touch it, it would rub off on your finger like a gold dust so I clear coated it and it changed the whole effect of the color. I had a set anodized gold I thought I gave them a pretty good set to start with when I got them back you could see every little wave and a few bends that weren't there when I gave them to them, that's the problem they bend really easy and it shows up from a mile away. I gave up and spent the big bucks for a reproduction a set from Burtons.
About 20 years ago I restored a 57 and for the gold trim I went to an art supply store and found some gold foil paper that closely matched the 57 gold trim. I glued the paper to the old gold panels them sprayed 3 coats of clear coat on all sides making sure the edges were sealed. I sold the car about 10 years ago and the gold still looked good even after I had been caught in the rain 3 or 4 times.
In the late 80's I painted that gold trim on my 58 Ford with spray can gold that matched real good. It remained nice for years. The car has been sold and I see it occasionally at car cruises. .