Opinions wanted

[oldguy668]

Here's the scenario. The roadster body is satin black. All exterior brightwork has been red scotchbrited to a satin finish. I have built another windshield that is 2.5" lower than stock. Shall I scotchbrite the windshield frame, paint it satin black, or do a wrinkle powdercoat on it?

[Bob Cowan]

I'v never seen it done on a Cobra, but have seen it done on other roadsters. IMO, I like the look of the satin bright work. It still give the car some distinction and definition, but it's not a sharp contrast like chrome is.

I have seen cars where everything is black - no bright work at all. I didn't like it. It made the car look like a lump, almost without form.

[Scott L]

I'd get that red scotchbrite out one more time. I can't wait to see the finished product.

[Fifty-Two]

Definitely agree to the scotchbrite approach. Can't wait to see the finished product as well!

- John

[mrmustang]

Here's the scenario. The roadster body is satin black. All exterior brightwork has been red scotchbrited to a satin finish. I have built another windshield that is 2.5" lower than stock. Shall I scotchbrite the windshield frame, paint it satin black, or do a wrinkle powdercoat on it?


Personally, I do a gloss black and make it stand out a little from the satin black finish of the body.

Bill S.

[skullandbones]

oldguy,
Of the choices I would probably do the scotchbright finish but I have a suggestion that may be a little outside of the box. I have seen a couple of hot rods and a bunch of motor cycles with nichol finish bright work. It is really special looking. It gives it a rich look but sort of subtle as well. Of course, the other peices would have to match to get the look. IMO. WEK.

[oldguy668]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. What I ended up doing was scothbrite on the windshield frame and satin black on the side posts (because they were too beat up to leave bare. I'll get it mounted and shoot a few pictures.

[Pierre B]

There's another option that might be a little easier if you want black instead of chrome. This may be available from other sources as well, but Googling "Automotive trim blackout tape will get you sources of black-out body tape for this very application. Had I not used something similar years ago, I might have reservations recommending it, thinking it might peel off too easily. Back then, in the first half of the 1980's, I was redoing a Type S2 Lotus Europa and I wanted the same effect you are looking for. I got a little kit (box 5"x8"x2") from BlackTech. It had to be fairly widely distributed at the time because instructions came in English, German, French and Italian. I probably learned about it via an AutoWeek ad, and I think I got it from Oscar Kovaleski. Anyhow, I carefully applied and trimmed pieces of this black-out tape on all the window frame chrome bits on the car, and none of the edges ever so much as lifted in the slightest during the fifteen years I owned and autocrossed the thing. I say this is easy because it was simple to apply and work with, and I am sure I could have reversed the process had I wanted to remove the tape.

Relatively speaking, this stuff cannot be terribly expensive and a small amount goes quite a long way. In each instance of my work blacking out Europa trim, I always used tape wider than the trim pieces. I would not have cared to use this had I needed to place tape strips parallel to one another on the same trim. This approach may give you an option to try the look and see how you like it, for not very much money. The only tricky part might come at the groove atop the windshield frame where the convertible top would anchor. Just a thought.

[oldguy668]

Oscar Kovaleski! A blast from the past...

I'll look into the tape. Sounds interesting.

[mrmustang]

Oscar Kovaleski! A blast from the past...

I'll look into the tape. Sounds interesting.

Not to get off track, but for those living in the PA/NJ area, knew Oscar was not only an innovator and race car driver, but a true character with a wicked sense of humor. :D ......


Bill S.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Oh yeah! Oscar, Autoworld and the PRDA :D

Polish Racing Drivers of America (http://www.prdaracing.com/)

Sorry for continuing the hijack Joe---I vote for the Scotchbrite/satin treatment.

Jeff