Michaeljh2000

The original side fender louvers from my 69 coupe are in need of a refinishing/painting. I would like to put them back on, but they're all scratched up. Is there something I can do to restore them or repaint them? What color paint?

wayne_69_427

I like the chrome. :thumbs: They look good with the side pipes


[Modified by wayne_69_427, 8:11 PM 3/3/2003]

Tele_Man

Spend the money and get new chrome ones. I just put some louvers on my black '69 and they look terrific.

Larry B.

They are still available at most corvette houses but if you watch Ebay you can find them for MORE $$ than retail price. The current replacements are all chrome whereas the not. I believe just the edge was chromed and the rest was a little duller. The old ones do show up from time to time.

Michaeljh2000

Wayne...I agree.
Where would recommend I buy new fender louvers from? Thanks

theandies

It would suck buying new ones since this was an option in 1969 that cost less that $20 bucks :eek: :eek: New ones are about $25 each. $100 to do one side, ouch. I guess they are metal (I have never held one) and if they are I am thinking that you could get your original ones chromed for less that $200.
JMHO
John

Burgundy 69

My 69 louvers "were" scratched and I finally decided to refinish them. Depending upon how hard they had been scrubbed in the past, mine "were" either worn silver, flat black or a bare chrome finish. Just this weekend, I took a box of brillo pads to them and scrubbed them down to the bare chrome. I plan to purchase a can or argent silver spray paint and will repaint them myself. Just need to mask off the outer edge and put down a coat of primer. If I find that the finish is too glossy, I will lay down a coat of semi flat clear as well.

I wouldn't be so quick to do this if I hadn't already done it with great results on my console shifter plate (with black of course). Mine was a mess, and after cleaning up with brillo pads (no, not 000 wool), I repainted with 6 coats and so far they have held up great!

Try it, what do you have to loose?

Mark

Michaeljh2000

Yeah, I agree. I'll try to spray paint method first on one of them. Would hate to spend the money when I already have the originals. Is argent silver the color that was used on them originally? I know the outter edge is chrome. I would prefer them to look as they originally did.

jrzvette

John

We'd all like to be able to but parts for our cars at the original price, but it ain't gonna happen. Remember, in 1969 the side pipes were a $150.00 option. Today a complete set-up would cost well over $2000, and that doesn't include the rear panels if the car is origianally an under car exhaust.

mike

litevette

Wayne, I agree! Yours looks real nice. Also, 69myway looked real good with the chrome ones next to his side pipes. Just my liitle opinion from the peanut gallery.

theandies

I wish I could get original 1971 prices for my car and I realize that you can't. I was just trying to say if you got the original pieces, see if it is easier to restore those instead of shelling out big bucks for replacements.
John
:cheers:


[Modified by theandies, 2:01 PM 3/4/2003]

rponfick

I had good luck at my local chev dealer. He ordered them at corvette club discount. They were a lot less than what you could get them from Ecklers or other aftermarket sources.

Burgundy 69

I saw a thread on this once before (think it was here on CF) and argent silver sticks out in my mind. Guess I better verify before I buy. I'll look tonite and let you know.

Mark