How Do They "Restore" Damaged/Dented/Bent Trim Anyway?

dibbons said
For example, chrome/stainless wheel well molding is always taking a beating, as well as other exterior chrome and metal adornments (see photos #1 & #2). I read where these things are "restored" somehow and somewhere. Is it performed by elves with tiny hammers? I can't picture straightening out the bent/dinged up metal pieces without making things worse. Maybe a lack imagination or a degree in metallurgy on my part but is there a video somewhere showing the secrets of this sort of alchemy? If I can't do it at home, at least show me how it's done! Thank you.

P.S When I remove the exterior moldings after having been placed 50 or so years prior, I find all kinds of dirt/gunk stuck under the moldings (see photo #3 of molding on '65 Barracuda quarter panel). When restoring, are these moldings just screwed or pushed back on or is there a filler/gasket/silicone used in the gap? Thanks again.

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I'm pretty sure its done like any traditional metal work, hammering, shaping, sanding and polishing. It is truely amazing what some craftsmen can do.

I sent my '68 Barracuda grill to the guys in this link. While not cheap, they did work with me by doing only the restoration of the parts I couldn't do like the soft aluminum border that goes along the outer edge of the grill. Mine was smashed flat, ugly and dull. Looked like it had been bumped into hundreds of things over the life of the car. Not enough to dent the surrounding sheet metal, but enough to smash and deform the outer lip of both sides of my 1 year only grill surrounds.

When they sent it back, I had to paint and assemble the grill parts, but their work was stunning. I bet these guys could repair an aluminum can that was smashed between a stomping foot and the ground.

Home – King of Trim

1968 Barracuda Grill Assembly 1.jpg