The black paint on my a pillar is peeling off and looks really junky. I've noticed that this is a common problem with many of our cars.

Any advice on the best way to remove this without scratching up the aluminum? Is there a reliable product that can replace the finish?

 

Seriously John? Your in India??
I had a glass shop pull all the windshield trim off, took the pieces to a local powdercoat shop. They media-blasted them clean then semi-gloss black. Looks factory and bullet-proof. Not cheap, mind you. Worth doing mirror bodies and wiper arms, etc at the same time...
Even if you decide to paint them yourself I would recommend the media-blast to remove old finish, but a medium grit sandpaper would probably work. You want something strong enough to pull the old paint but not deeply scratch the pieces. I think they are aluminum or similar soft metal. I think most standard paints will eventually fail due to impacts, which is what makes the powdercoat so nice.
NOTE:
1) you WILL destroy the trim retaining clips that hold the pieces to the window, so make sure you get a windshield "clip kit" for the re-install. About $15.
2) be careful you don't lose the small rubber and plastic MOLDINGS that fit between the body and the various pieces. These are NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

here's a pic of mine powdercoated. More of a beauty shot so not a lot of detail, sorry...
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

Thanks alot Stu for the detailed description. Your results look great. Being a cheapskate, I will probably go the fine grit route and leave the bare aluminum for now.
Yes, I am living and working in New Delhi on a ten month contract. Can't wait to get back to my car in California.

 

Window trim is stainless steel, not aluminum. One of the few parts of our cars that doesn't rust. Masking it off, then sanding and painting it in place seems to work the easiest.

 

Ray Green recently re-finished his windshield trim and wiper arms. Mine will get re-finished once I paint the car, or at least get it in primer

 

Yep. Easy weekend project, and makes a huge difference in appearance.

 

Trochoid, thanks. I think that will be the best option for me.

Sorry to be such a pain, but any tips on which grit to use? I am famous for starting with a big grit and scratching everything up.

 

IIRC, I used 600 grit wet, and fininshed with 1200. Takes a while. Using the paper wet and keeping it rinsed increased the cut rate somewhat.

Hand work only. Resist the urge to grab the jitterbug.

 

I'd start with 220 grit, then go to 400 wet/dry, an etching primer, then a very light sanding, tack rag the dust off and topcoat with a matte black. Hell even BBQ grill paint will work for window trim. I think I used Camo matte black on mine and it's still holding up after 3 years.

 

Awesome. Thanks for the help guys.

 

Ray Green is the man with the plan here:

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/i-painted-my-windshield-trim-777510/

 

Jeezus, you are the man. This is exactly what I was looking for.

 

Jeezus, you are the man. This is exactly what I was looking for.

 

well i jus brillo-padded it off with house paint thinner..really ghetto yet really efficient and jus polished the scratches out with mothers polisher...WEAR GLOVES!! lol dont be like me

 

This is getting easier with each new post. Will remember the gloves.

 

It looks like the factory finish is gunmetal. I plan on refinishing mine in Duplicolor gunmetal wheel paint.

 

Just as a side note, the Duplicolor Gunmetal wheel paint looks phenomenal. It's what I used to paint the centers of my wheels

 

I personally liked semi-gloss on the trim.

Best picture I could find:

 

Hey Fox, did you paint your front corner lights to look like Aussie's or what?

 

?

 

What's the grey area on your turn signal lense in the front?

 

I cut and fit some white reverse lenses from a second gen into the running light area of the US spec turn signals. I also built a reflector to separate the two bulbs so it operates like the euro type.

 

Awesome. I have the Aussie spec lights in my SA and have a set for my FB. I love them. Much better than US spec. You should get some pics of them in action