P-15 Rocker Moldings. Repair?

[Skrambler]

Hi Folks!

I have done some homework in the history section of this site and found some great hints as to how to go about repairing dents and dings in our old car stainless. This information is great, but does not address my particular problem. My problem is the P-15 Stainless Rocker Moldings I own have 3 small holes in each of them that seem to have been put there when someone attempted to rivet them to the car! (Why!, Good grief why?). Is there a way to fill these holes without having to purchase expensive soldering equipment? Are there any ideas as to where I should turn from here?

These moldings are not perfect, but they are really, really quite nice! I have had them for 15 years I bet, and figure that if I do not do something with them soon, I should simply sell them to someone that can (my only other option).

As always, thanks for your replies.

[casper50]

Skrambler mine had 2 or 3 holes in each side as well.  I took them to a really good welder and had him weld them closed.  I then filed and sanded them down along with the rest of the molding.  Can't tell where they were.

[DrDoctor]

Skrambler,

   I’ve removed (more accurately—reduced . . .) dings in stainless. So, I’ve got some experience with the material, but I’ve never welded it. As such, I don’t have the equipment to weld it, either. The one time I did have a need to have stainless welded, it was a small tear, I took it to a welding shop, and they took care of it, and the cost wasn’t a deal breaker, either. I finished it down after the welding was completed. They did a great job—no warpage, and I was happy with the final result once I got done with it. Your standards may be higher than mine for a task like this, but I’d still suggest checking with local shops, or even some street-rod shops, because they might deal with this. I wouldn’t bother checking with production body shops, tho’, since they’re pretty much “remove and replace” facilities anymore.

 

P.S.—I really get a kick out of your animated Road Runner. I love the old Road Runner and Coyote cartoons. They were the favorite of my late father, as well. Very, very cool. Best regards . . .

[greg g]

Read some where that the hole can be backed up by copper or brass shim stock then silver soldered. The solder plug can then be worked and polished to blend with the surrounding stainless.

[3046moparcoupe]

had a couple of holes in my rocker moldings as well, (places where they just took a screw and drilled it through the moulding and into the car),....took it to a place here in the dfw area called "concourse moulding and trim repair " took them about 15 minutes to weld up two holes,.....I think they charged me around $20.00, this was just last year in 2016, if I remember correctly they told me they used a combination alloy wire that has both stainless and steel in it,...then I took it and filed the spot weld down with a file, then kept polishing the area until I got to a 2000 grit....basically the places go away.

Steve

[dale]

I had the same thing where holes had been put in for screws.  Had a local welder weld them shut with SS wirefeed and they turned out good for $10 per hole.  Filed , sanded with 800 wet-dry and buffed them and they look OK.