Anodizing aluminum trim and targa bar.

autobonrun · autobonrun's Garage

My car goes in the shop in two weeks to remove dings that have been there for years. I want to also restore my door trim and targa bar. I was told the bar was also originally anodized. I thought it was painted by the factory. Does anyone know for sure which is correct? I found two good links, one describing a do it at home anodizing process and another a company that does it. The company that does anodizing is in LA. I plan to call to see if they will do car parts.

Most of the threads on this site I read on the targa bar are about painting them. Has anyone had their bar anodized instead? Has anyone tried this process themselves? The process is straight forward but the chemicals sound a little dangerous.

http://www.focuser.com/atm/anodize/anodize99.html

http://www.anodizingindustries.com

david914 · 06-09-2003, 06:42 PM

I may be wrong on this one, but it's always been my understanding that the Targa bar is painted not anodized. As a matter of fact, I believe it's actually painted stainless steel. Maybe someone else will chime in and verify...

CamB · CamB's Garage

I think the targa bar might well be stainless.

Some of the door trim is anodised alloy - it needs to be deanodised, polished and reanodised.

The actual anodising is cheap (in New Zealand) - it was less than the cost of polishing for me.

On early targas (with shiny trim) the little vent window is chrome plated brass (according to the early 911 authenticity book).

autobonrun · autobonrun's Garage

You both are right. It is not aluminum. I found this earlier post where Warren attached a factory sheet showing the bar cover being made of "rust proof steel". I assume that means stainless.

So, the idea of anodizing is out. I guess I'll just tape it off and paint. I still may try to anodize the door trim pieces and other parts that were originally anodized.

Targa Bar Pics

trader220 · 06-10-2003, 06:43 AM

I've been kicking around the idea of "freshening" up my targa bar myself this spring. If we ever get a weekend without rain I'll get to it. I did the research and its no doubt made of stainless steel and been painted.

Jdub · 06-10-2003, 07:47 AM

You can get miraculous results on a stainless Targa bar with nothing more than Mother's metal polish.

Don't forget to repaint the "Targa" script while you have the 'bar off. Flat black if memory serves.

John

trader220 · 06-10-2003, 07:54 AM

Actually the script on my bar is a dull silver and it looks great. Besides the script is held on by two posts not double sided tape. I am going to have to tape off the script before I paint. I have an extra set of scripts that I could paint silver if i over spray the script.