Just bought a 76 Celica... Now what?

[michelle5466]

She runs great, but needs A LOT of cosmetic help. Does anyone know how to get off the old foil crap, that is peeling off the logos and louvers. Sanding is not effective. I'm afraid sandblasting would be too rough on these plastic parts, I am assuming new replacements don't exist. I can tell this gonna be a long process.

[73GTV]

E-bay has a vender who has those items on his web page, you can still order that part.

Look at E-bay Item number: 230279277704

Oh yeah everybody, I just moved to California last week so Farewell to Buffalo New York, And I've already gone to two car events this weekend. Thanks

[stepho]

Try this ebay search
http://motors.shop.ebay.com/items/ra28_W0QQ_nkwZra28

Also try Toy Head
http://toyheadauto.com/Celica_Parts_1971_to_1977.html

Also, if the car needs repainting then think about removing all the badges (ie fill the holes with putty and paint over them).

- Stepho ('77 liftback)

[Cgarman]

One, Liftback or coupe. If it is a liftback, those quarter vents are worth their weight in gold. Very hard to find a decent pair. Be very careful if you remove them from the car. They are very easy to break... I know. If the chrome is decent on those parts, you can mask it with 3M blue painters tape and repaint the black parts. I would use a paint formulated for plastic. Automotive paints most likely will be too hot and cause 'crazing' of the plastic parts. While this doesn't ruin them, it comes really close to. If it is just the emblems, trash 'em and putty over the holes. I think it makes the car look better. Stepho has some good ideas. I plan on just replacing the ugly block typeface emblems with early Gen 1 script style emblems. Oh yeah, post some pics
Oh yeah, I forgot about the stripping part. You can try an old car modelers trick for removing chrome from plastic. Bleach will strip the chrome, but you will still be stuck with the laquer undercoat. Castrol Super Clean will strip the chrome and the paint. I don't know how it will effect the plastic. I would try it on one of the emblems first before sticking the pricey quarter vents in. Also, if you go the CSC route, wear gloves!!! CSC will eat the skin off of your hands... again, I speak from experience