Black targa trim metal

[drcoastline]

Many years ago the chrome trim under the rear targa window was replaced with a newer black anodized version on my '74S to give an updated look. I am converting the car back to original. The plater is asking what the metal is under the anodize? It has a goldish color so I am inclined to say brass but I am not sure. I have no doubt someone here will know. Any help is appreciated.

On a side note if anyone has the chromed trim I would be willing to purchase or trade.

Thanks in advance for any input.

[javadog]

The trim on a 74 should be aluminum. It should be clear anodised, not chromed.

JR

[drcoastline]

Thanks for the post JR. Not the aluminum piece that is in the rubber bead. The piece under the rubber. It runs along the lower edge of the targa bar then under the rubber. Here is a pic of the piece. I forgot to upload a photo in my first post.

[javadog]

Ahh, not sure then. Got a close-up photo of your actual piece?

If it is chromed, I would expect the base metal to be brass. Probably a layer of copper in between...

JR

[drcoastline]

I will take a photo or two today and post later. The originals were chrome and long gone. The pieces I have are black anodize from a later car. I am looking into having them chromed.

[javadog]

The black anodized ones should be aluminum. You sure it's anodized black, and not painted black? Never seen brass that was anodized black...


JR

[Dpmulvan]

I have mine off as well and they appear to be made of brass painted black. There rather heavy and the metal is soft and easily bent.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Dpmulvan

I have mine off as well and they appear to be made of brass painted black. There rather heavy and the metal is soft and easily bent.

+1

Pretty certain these are brass. They have substantial mass and the color is brass.

One tip on re-install. The thin gasket that goes under this piece should be wrapped down and glued into the rear window sill at the rearmost part of the metal strip. The rear window seal covers it. Don't cut it at the back to fit the trim piece. It will lift a tiny bit and not look proper.

[Robert Adams]

If you have it off the car and its heavy like a couple pounds, it's brass. My 72 & 73 are both brass with chrome plating and are quite heavy vs aluminum. I have them boxed up for a move or I would go weigh them for you.

[drcoastline]

I am near certain this is anodizing of some sort and not paint. I am doing a test right now with some interlux interstrip paint striper. I will post the results in a few minutes.

I am having difficulty getting the server to accept my photos as soon as they load I post.

[drcoastline]

Ok one photo loaded. You can see the gold in this photo under the black. Also I would estimate this part weighs 8-10 ounces. It is well under one pound.

[Dpmulvan]

I have a 1980 targa and they appear to be brass painted black, they weigh 1/2 pound.

[drcoastline]

So here is the stripper after about 20 minutes on the part.



After wiping the stripper off. As you can see it has no effect what so ever on the finish.



I am not as concerned about the finish as I am about the metal. I will also go check and see if it is magnetic.

Update they are not magnetic.

[javadog]

I think the metal is probably brass, although I have no idea what finish might be on it.

JR

[Robert Adams]

that looks like the nickel finish under the chrome or possibly the PO sanded it prior to painting. Wire brush the heck out of a small area on the underside and see what comes up. Should eventually see brass. as stated above, the brass piece weighs a bit!

[Dpmulvan]

[drcoastline]

Bob,

The black is definitely not paint. I put paint stripper on and it had absolutely no effect on the finish. I will sand a little bit today and post some results.

[Dpmulvan]

There are a few different chemicals that turn brass black such as cold gun blueing.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Dpmulvan

There are a few different chemicals that turn brass black such as cold gun blueing.

These are brass with a black anodized coating.

[javadog]

Brass contains copper, which prevents it from being anodized. There are ways to turn brass black, but anodizing isn't one of them.

I seem to recall that some of the external oil lines had a black appearance, so probably a similar treatment, although I haven't the faintest idea what it was.

JR