Cowl Band - Repair or Replace?

[Malcolm Robertson]

Goodmorning

I would appreciate some advice and opinions about either repairing my current Cowl Band or replacing it with a new one. The current one is in pretty good shape except it is painted the same color as the car and I would perfer it were stainless steel or chrome.

Is there a way to restore it?
Or should I purchase a new one?
And any recommendations on where I could purchase a good quality one that will fit nicely?

Thanks for any and all help,

[Steve Plucker]

Malcolm,

Well let's look at it this way...you say it is in good shape.

To restore it OR put on a new one, you are going to have to remove it.

So if you remove the one on the car, use paint remover to remove the paint, shine it up, and replace the band as if it were the new one!

Pluck

[Dave Pratt - IL]

Definitely use your original one. It isn't that hard to strip the paint once you remove it. Also, the reproduction ones fit very poorly.

[loumo]

Definitely use the reworked original. What you haven't given any consideration to is the fact that the repo will probably not fit like the original - and then will you take on some fun with the repo!

[Rowdy]

I agree. removing paint is likely much easier than getting a repop to fit and look correct. Rod

[peters180a/170b]

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Question's: this cowl band 1929 Brass or 1930/31 Stainless Steel or maybe a Steel band off a truck Do you have Cowl lights If no cowl lights then take off the cowl band slow and carefully. Strip the paint off and see what it is. Do you have any dents A repro sucks for the price of $70.00 + and shipping cost. There is only 1 person i would trust doing my cowl bands and he's in upstate N.Y.[Doug Bruce]. A good orginial cowl band makes a world of difference when fitting to your body. A fully show restored cowl Band outright will set you back $165.00 to give you a idea on price.

[Brubaker]

Doug Bruce is on Ford Barn isn't he? Anyone know his 'handle'? Thanks

[peters180a/170b]

No Doug Bruce is not on Fordbarn. 1-607-849-3454 N.Y. TIME

[Doug in NJ]

My cowl band is pretty nice, except for a couple of dents. Dose anyone have any tips for getting them out? The slot on the back seems a bit too narrow to accept a tool big enough to bump them out.

Doug

[Doug in NJ]

Originally Posted by Don Turley

Have you tried slipping a carriage bolt head into the slot? Slightly modified, it may work.

Don Turley
www.donturley.com

Good idea: Make a custom tool. I did something like that for my rain gutters.
I was also thinking of making an impression of an undamaged section of the band in some sort of resin or plaster, and using it as a backing tool when knocking out the dent.

Doug

[Flathead]

I just bought one of those repro bands at Hershey. I'll let you know how it fits. Wish me luck!

[loumo]

I use the Bull's Eye "C" shaped body tool with the pointed pick attachment. Assuming it is stainless steel, it takes a lot of patience and going at it slowly and very gently. It will require raising the dents then carefully filing with a very smooth file followed by much sanding with finer and finer grit abrasives. and finally buffing and polishing by hand or on a wheel with a variety of compounds to remove all traces of scratches. It is time consuming but it can be done properly to look as good as new if you are patient enough.

[FL&WVMIKE]

Malcom Robertson ....................
A good way to work on your dents is to use your drill press. Make some pieces out of hard wood and put them into your drill press. You can gently press out your dents. Unplug your press first. LOL
MIKE

[loumo]

Mike, that is a good suggestion for areas that are accessible with the drill press arrangement. Thanks, I will use this technique in conjunction with the bull's eye tool next time.

[Dick Carne]

Malcom --

If you decide to attempt to clean up any imperfections in the cowl band yourself, I might suggest one other thought about knocking out dents. Folks that have developed some expertise in this area have suggested placing a bag of sand (or something similar) under the band while you are attempting to hammer out any dings or dents. The bag of sand will provide support but also allow for some flexibility in spreading the impact.

Peter also makes a good point about the distinction between the '29 brass (chrome - or nickel plated to be completely original) cowl band and the '30 - '31 stainless cowl band. Obviously the brass is much softer, and for that reason may be a little easier to work. But also know that no one is presently making a replacement '29 cowl band, so in that event you will have to work with what you have. There are a number of companies that also provide dent removal and plating services. In that event, I would suggest asking other hobbyists in your area for references.

Best of luck.

Dick

[Malcolm Robertson]

Thanks to everyone for your advice and recommendations to my question, I will be removing the Cowl Band so I can polish it.

Thanks Again - Malcolm

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Something to think about when the work "knock out" a dent is used.

A dent is nothing more than a stretched area where the original form has been changed. What needs to happen is the "stretched area" needs to be shrunk back into the original form. Using some tools as mentioned above will only re-arrange the shape of the metal and not return it to the original form. Be careful choosing the process or permanent damage to the band is possible.

.

[dr.j]

To remove the paint, strip it with a product similar to wood stripper, don't try and scrape it or use steel wool. Ensure the part is very clean of any stripper (warn soapy water) prior to installing. I remember 25 years ago stripping an entire 53 GMC pick up with a putty knife and "polystripper". It worked very well and took me 2 years to recover from the tennis elbow.

[4537wpr]

Doug Bruce is deceased.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by 4537wpr

Doug Bruce is deceased.

Yes, Doug has been gone from us for about 5 years or so HOWEVER this post is from about 12 years ago!! At the time of this posting, Doug was still polishing.