Anodized Trim

[Jack Meoff]

Can anyone tell me the best way to shine up all the anodized aluminum trim. (windshield, rear window, etc. Or do I just have to bite the bullet and get it all chromed?
Thanks.

 

[Mr.Lopar]

Im pretty sure you can buff it all out. i know i gotta try n buff it out for my 5th ave

 

[Jack Meoff]

Im pretty sure you can buff it all out. i know i gotta try n buff it out for my 5th ave

I haven't come up with anything really. Chrome/aluminum polish doesn't work. Before a show sometimes I wipe it with tire shine. Works in a jif. Doesn't last though.

 

[Dr Lebaron]

Flitz.
http://www.flitz.com/default.aspx

 

[bremereric]

Remember the key phrase....anodized....go on it easy. Buffing will strip it off very easy.

 

[Jack Meoff]

Flitz.
http://www.flitz.com/default.aspx

Thanks Doc.

 

[Jack Meoff]

Remember the key phrase....anodized....go on it easy. Buffing will strip it off very easy.

Exactly. No abrasives. That's why I'm asking. The only real polish I found that doesn't have abrasives is Nevr-dull. It's great on chrome and stainless but doesn't really do jack for anodized. I'll check out the flitz like Doc suggested but my hunch is ultimately you gotta get it re-done. If it's already been buffed to hell.

 

[Jonnyuma]

There's not a whole lot you can do to shine up anodized aluminum. The cheapest thing (besides leaving it alone) would be to strip it with chemicals (Eastwood) then polish or brush it and clear it. It won't last forever, but custom anodizing is expensive.
All anodizing is is a controlled corrosion, it works kinda like a vaccine. A small amount of controlled corrosion protects the piece from big-time killer corrosion.
You might try Brasso or something similar, but I think it'll mostly just be frustrating.

 

[Dr Lebaron]

Check out the Flitz site, read the 'testimonials'. There's talk about restoring anodized aluminum on old cars.

I'm gonna try the #000 steel wool and Flitz trick on a old pc and see how that works.

 

[Jack Meoff]

Check out the Flitz site, read the 'testimonials'. There's talk about restoring anodized aluminum on old cars.

I'm gonna try the #000 steel wool and Flitz trick on a old pc and see how that works.

Keep me posted on how that goes will ya Doc? I have to do a pile of stuff on the Caravelle.
Thanks.

 

[volarerob]

I did a write up on this topic on another site a long time ago, but it still works just fine and once polished it's much easier to get it to shine again & again. I have heard that oven cleaner will strip the coating off to, but never tried it. Below is the original write up...


Restoring your trim. Many of us would like to have as many new parts as we can but if you can't find them or can't afford them here is another option for at least the trim.

First you need to ether find a straight and non damaged part or one with the least amount of damage you can. If all you have are dented & dinged then you will have to tap those out very carefully. You do not have to have special tools to fix small dents and dings. A flat head screw driver, a hammer, and a shop rag are normally all you will need for most repairs. Always put the trim on the shop rag (not on your work bench) you don't want to pound new dents into the trim from imperfections on your work bench. Tap out the ding & dents very carefully the trim is thin it doesn't take much to pound out most dings. Then you need to take the top coating off of the trim. There are two ways that I found work very well one is sand blasting it off or a fine wire wheel. Both work just fine, I don't really have a preference.



My home made blasting cabinet.

Squirrel fan venting (works great)

Or a bench grinder with a wire wheel

Tools needed.

Wire stripped

& sand blasted

Any scratches or heavy dings that did not tap out will have to be sanded out or at least down to as small as possible. I recommend hand sanding, power sanders are to aggressive for the thin trim. If there are scratches and dings I would start with 180 grit & if its smooth (no scratches or dings) start with 220 grit and then work your way up to 2000 grit.

Now it is time to use a cleaning compound on the trim. You should not mix compounds on the same wheels so I recommend marking your wheels so you know what to use for later projects.

Start cleaning the trim by moving it around the wheel, do not stay in one place to long and keep a firm hold onto the part.

You will start to see a shine start to appear on it, keep going until the whole part looks the same.

Then you will need to wipe it down and clean off all the compound so you don't contaminate your next wheel.

Now put on the polishing wheel, coat the wheel with a high gloss compound and repeat just like you did for the cleaning compound.

when you think your done take a chrome or metal polish and wipe down the part if you see foggy or milky looking spots put more polish compound on the wheel and keep going you may have to repeat this a few times until you get to your desired shine.

Hope this helps.

 

[Jack Meoff]

That more than helps. That's awesome. Mystery solved. Thanks a million Rob.

 

[Erics5th]

Sweet. Now I have an excuse to get a bench grinder! :eusa_dance: My wheel well trim is sand blasted and need to fix them.

 

[Jack Meoff]

Same here, a lot of my Caravelle trim is cloudier than a February day in Toronto.

 

[MoparTex]

Awesome article! Gonna get busy with this info. Thanks