Hi guys,

Ok, my '83 Sport Coupe still has the Chastain Shadow louvers (the old 3-piece style-with "wings" on either side and before they had the center opening for the tail light) that have been on the car since the car was about two years old. The other day someone decided I didn't need the left wing and ripped me off, so now I'm missing that piece and have only the larger center component and the right wing.

So I've decided to just go ahead and remove the louvers completely and return the car to its original condition, sans louvers.

The rear glass is heavily stained (whitish in color) beneath the left and right louver wings and I'm looking for the best advice on how to clean it and return the glass back to normal, or best condition obtainable.

Some suggestions, among others I've found, call for using vinegar/water and 0000 Steel Wool.

This is NOT my car, but the louvers are similar to mine:


Any tips would be appreciated.

The center part of the louver is still in excellent condition, no dents or damage...do you think there's anyone "out there" who might be looking one? Or should I just toss out the whole thing?

Thanks for any help!

 

I would try a window wax/cleaner,I wouldn't use steel wool(may scratch).Someone probably would need your louvers,I wouldn't just trash them.

 

I tried some CLR (Calcium-Rust-Lime) Cleaner on a small spot and also some Windex, and they didn't remove the stain (remember, almost 30-year's worth) so the stain is pretty well embedded in the glass.

Tuesday morning is when I've planned to remove the louvers and work on the stained glass. I'm also going to wax the car at the same time, so I'm open to any suggestions until then. I'm thinking of trying a soap pad (like S.O.S.), some Comet, the vinegar I mentioned above, and anything else I can find laying around.

Also for those of you with experience, any advice on how to remove the louver mounts from the top of the window (where the two louver hinges are pinned to) that I think are "glued on" ? Acetone, MEK, ? Or, I can just leave them on there, they're not that much of an issue.

Thanks!

 

Couple things to try. Goo Gone. If its some kind of glue it should take it off. The other is Simple Green. Not sure if Goo Gone will damage paint, but Simple Green you need to avoid contact with paint.

 

If you are careful and stay away from the paint, oven cleaner works good.

 

hmm...interesting!

I just happen to have a can of Easy Off under the sink in the kitchen. I'll include that in my "arsenal" when I get ready to perform surgery on Tuesday.

Thanks for the tip!

 

Try a paint buffer with medium compound.

 

Be VERY careful using the oven cleaner. Its some nasty stuff. I've used it at work and it will absolutely destroy your paint if it gets on it.

 

I hear ya!

Perhaps as a "last resort" only, after I've exhausted other attempts.

 

If you weren't all the way in Oregon, I'd definately love to get the center section from you. But trying to pack those and the cost of shipping would be outrageous I think.

I have a full set of the identical ones that was painted at a body shop and been hanging on my garage wall for a couple of years now. Not that the center section on them is really that bad...just a couple slats have a slight wave in them.

I do really need some of the mounting clips. Thats really why I haven't installed those. If you're willing to sell the mounting clips - I'm very interested. As I recall, I'm missing a few of the ones that wrap around the window frame...

Just PM me with a price if you decide!

 

If the louvers have been on forever and a day I would look to see if the white on the glass is where the louvers may have been touching the glass. If so then I would clean very well with vinegar and water and then polish with a buffer and fine or maybe medium then fine compounds.
Also run your fingernail over it and determine if it is on top of the glass or in the glass. If on top some good cleaner should get it off. if in the glass you will need to polish the glass as a temporary until you can get a replacement. Even when polished it may still show waves there.

 

Hi Confuzed,

Over the years the mounting clips, which were I believe spot-welded on, one by one popped off. However, I've kept all the ones (pretty sure I have ALL of them) that did and they're in the trunk along with that little thumb-slide thing that secures the bottom of the center piece below the "Shadow" logo to where the bottom of the window is.

Would you be interested in perhaps selling the two "wings", the right and left pieces? Like I said, except for needing a coat of paint (you can imagine what almost 30 years normal usage and exposure to the elements has done to fade the original paint to a certain degree), although when I put a coat of wax on it when I do wax the car, it doesn't look too bad.

I don't know, perhaps you and I can come to some kind of arrangement where at least one of us can benefit from the other.

Food for thought.

Thanks for your reply!

 

Done!

Removed what was left of the Shadow louvers, cleaned the stains from the rear window and waxed the car.

Cleaning the window wasn't as much of a challenge as I anticipated (or feared?) but I came prepared with distilled vinegar, soap pads, steel wool, and CLR. I soaked the stains with vinegar, soaked a soap pad with water and began scrubbing. Next, while still wet with the aforementioned, took to the window with a steel wool pad (which I suppose is basically a soap pad without the soap) and I could tell by the feel that the stain was coming off. Washed the car before waxing it and the window looked good with all the stains having been removed.

As much as I had grown used to car with the louvers, I think the "new look" will eventually grow on me.

Guess I'll just store the main (center) part of the louvers and see if I come across anyone who might be interested in it. I have a few of the mounting clips for the wings but couldn't locate all of the ones that had come off, plus the two dowel pins for the window mount.

Thanks again for everyone's helpful advice and suggestions.

 

I'm glad everything worked out for the best.I thought you were going to have to replace the Glass