Advice: Restoring an old tailgate band. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1971 K10 shortbox · 03-25-2008, 02:07 AM

Hey guys,

First i would like to say I love the board, always something intresting to read here.

Now, I am restoring an original tailgate band for my 1971 super. Its staright and shines nicely. The wood grain is in need of replacement, How do i go about removing the old wood grain? Was it originally a vinyl decal that was put on there or what? I was wondering about a paint stripper, or adhesieve stripper. Also I have removed the old chevrolet lettering all in great shape, how would you guys suggest re-attaching the letters?

Any help would be greatly appeciated.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 03-25-2008, 03:29 AM

If you use a heat gun and work carefully the vinyl will peel right off leaving some glue residue that can be cleaned with mineral spirits. (I use an industrial grade heat gun that looks like a hair dryer for removing vinyl or decals).

If the pins are broken off of the letters then use an adhesive like 3M Trim Adhesive. It will hold for a long time.

New vinyl is available for a nominal cost and your band will look like new when finished!

Jim

1971 K10 shortbox · 03-25-2008, 03:48 AM

Thanks Jim,

I am assuming that the 3m trim adhesive would be available at a parts store.

**special-K** · 03-25-2008, 05:56 AM

Yeah,Napa definately carries the 3M stickum.The woodgrain may be too brittle for heat gun removal,as well as the adhesive being dry and hard.If so,there`s a 3M adhesive remover.You may need to carefully scrape or grind/sand it to break it up enough for the solvent to get behind the woodgrain.Another suggestion for the letters would be JB-Weld since they have a bit of weight to them.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 03-25-2008, 01:41 PM

I have not found any vinyl or decals that the heat gun did not work on.

It is important that the vinyl be lifted off of the aluminum without scratching the surface of the metal as the vinyl adheres best to a smooth surface. (The finish under the vinyl is polished and smooth).

Jim

**special-K** · 03-25-2008, 02:49 PM

You`re right about the smooth,Jim.It would require alot of work to have that after putting a tool to it.I just thought that brittle vinyl lost it`s pliability from heat/age,so heat wouldn`t help on way old material.I can`t say that i`ve tryed it and it didn`t work.So,thanks for the tip x2.

**Tom Vogel** · 03-25-2008, 06:38 PM

OK... Ive got a question that would fit in here. Who makes a replacment woodgrain vinyl that appears OEM. Ive got NOS woodgrain for my truck for the sides and would like my rear applique to at least closely match. Who's got it?
TIA, Tom

03-25-2008, 02:07 AM	#1
1971 K10 shortbox Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lake Orion MI Posts: 111	Advice: Restoring an old tailgate band. Hey guys, First i would like to say I love the board, always something intresting to read here. Now, I am restoring an original tailgate band for my 1971 super. Its staright and shines nicely. The wood grain is in need of replacement, How do i go about removing the old wood grain? Was it originally a vinyl decal that was put on there or what? I was wondering about a paint stripper, or adhesieve stripper. Also I have removed the old chevrolet lettering all in great shape, how would you guys suggest re-attaching the letters? Any help would be greatly appeciated. __________________ 1971 Chevy SWB 4x4 1971 Chevy LWB 2003 Duramax

03-25-2008, 03:29 AM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: Advice: Restoring an old tailgate band. If you use a heat gun and work carefully the vinyl will peel right off leaving some glue residue that can be cleaned with mineral spirits. (I use an industrial grade heat gun that looks like a hair dryer for removing vinyl or decals). If the pins are broken off of the letters then use an adhesive like 3M Trim Adhesive. It will hold for a long time. New vinyl is available for a nominal cost and your band will look like new when finished! Jim __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

03-25-2008, 03:48 AM	#3
1971 K10 shortbox Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lake Orion MI Posts: 111	Re: Advice: Restoring an old tailgate band. Thanks Jim, I am assuming that the 3m trim adhesive would be available at a parts store. __________________ 1971 Chevy SWB 4x4 1971 Chevy LWB 2003 Duramax

03-25-2008, 05:56 AM	#4
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Advice: Restoring an old tailgate band. Yeah,Napa definately carries the 3M stickum.The woodgrain may be too brittle for heat gun removal,as well as the adhesive being dry and hard.If so,there`s a 3M adhesive remover.You may need to carefully scrape or grind/sand it to break it up enough for the solvent to get behind the woodgrain.Another suggestion for the letters would be JB-Weld since they have a bit of weight to them. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-25-2008, 01:41 PM	#5
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: Advice: Restoring an old tailgate band. I have not found any vinyl or decals that the heat gun did not work on. It is important that the vinyl be lifted off of the aluminum without scratching the surface of the metal as the vinyl adheres best to a smooth surface. (The finish under the vinyl is polished and smooth). Jim __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

03-25-2008, 02:49 PM	#6
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Advice: Restoring an old tailgate band. You`re right about the smooth,Jim.It would require alot of work to have that after putting a tool to it.I just thought that brittle vinyl lost it`s pliability from heat/age,so heat wouldn`t help on way old material.I can`t say that i`ve tryed it and it didn`t work.So,thanks for the tip x2. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-25-2008, 06:38 PM	#7
Tom Vogel 2WD Jimmy Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Davis County, Utah Posts: 2,565	Re: Advice: Restoring an old tailgate band. OK... Ive got a question that would fit in here. Who makes a replacment woodgrain vinyl that appears OEM. Ive got NOS woodgrain for my truck for the sides and would like my rear applique to at least closely match. Who's got it? TIA, Tom



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