Stainless Trim Polishing - Full Version

Discussion in 'Stainless Trim Repair' started by Smartin, Mar 25, 2021.

  1. Smartin

    Smartin antiqueautomotiveservice.com Staff Member

    UPDATE: Here is the full version of what I do when I polish and repair stainless trim. The first video I made was pretty hideous, but it did the job. Full version::::



    I had a friend inquire about doing a quickie polish job on his stainless moldings before he sticks them back on his race car. I took the opportunity to make a short video outlining how to do this. He wants to do it himself, so I wanted to make sure I covered the basics on materials and method.

    Forgive my stage fright on camera...I'll eventually get used to it. I plan on making a bunch of videos, so stay tuned.

     
    Last edited: Jun 23, 2023
  2. 72 goat herder

    72 goat herder Well-Known Member

    Great video. Thanks for posting it. I've always wondered if I could polish my own stainless. Your video has given me the confidence to start learning on some damaged pieces I have, before I move on to the good stuff.
     
    Smartin likes this.
  3. Nearing

    Nearing Well-Known Member

    Appreciated the video.
     
    Max Damage and Smartin like this.
  4. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    Thanks Adam. Everyone make sure to subscribe to Adam's channel.
     
    Smartin likes this.
  5. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    Its not hard to polish a straight piece but taking the dings and dents out is a art form in itself which Adam does very well.

    I worked at a plating shop way back in the early days. My job was in the polishing dept. Learned quick not to let the part get caught up in the wheel. Back in 11 I had a headlight trim ring get out of hand and it fractured my eye socket. Take off my gear, see a small spot I missed, just a quick touch up and pow, ur on the floor knocked out and bleeding. So be careful if ya wanna tackle this at home.
     
    446379H, mrolds69 and Max Damage like this.
  6. Smartin

    Smartin antiqueautomotiveservice.com Staff Member

    Headlight rings are the single most scariest item to polish. I usually have a death grip on them, and just lightly do the outer side surface....and if I feel lucky, I'll go for a once around on the side the faced with the headlight.

    ...and 67 GS grille stainless...who on Earth thought it would be smart to install paper-thin pieces of stainless right where you lean into the engine compartment?
     
    Brett Slater and mrolds69 like this.
  7. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    Near as I can tell from the damage on the ring other than the flat spot where it smashed into my face at 13000 rpm it got caught on the seem where its welded together.
     
    Smartin likes this.
  8. mrolds69

    mrolds69 "The Cure"

    Good job on the video, Adam.
     
  9. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Very good video Adam. I hardly noticed your gooberness:D:D:D
     
    Brett Slater likes this.
  10. Smartin

    Smartin antiqueautomotiveservice.com Staff Member

    I'm a professional goober...so it's difficult to turn it off when I get in front of the camera.:D

    Thanks guys...I'll get better at it, I promise!:cool:
     
    Brett Slater likes this.
  11. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Im just bustin on ya! You did just fine and I learned something.
     
    Brett Slater and Smartin like this.
  12. Mike Trom

    Mike Trom Platinum Level Contributor

    Adam,

    What do you do when parts have "flash" chrome? I assume it has to completely removed for it to look good again? How do you tell if has chrome? I sent my trim rings out to get re-polished and they said they were flash chromed so I assume my trim rings are raw stainless now?

    Nice video
     
    Dano likes this.
  13. Smartin

    Smartin antiqueautomotiveservice.com Staff Member

    The flash has to be removed. I use the “green” muriatic acid from Lowe’s so I can get to the stainless and polish from there. The chrome is a different color than stainless. If you break through in a spot, and go to polish it, you can see that the stainless is more yellow than the chrome.
     
    Dano likes this.
  14. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    Do you use any dc current when the parts are in the muriatic acid?
     
  15. Smartin

    Smartin antiqueautomotiveservice.com Staff Member

    Nope just let them sit in there for 20 minutes and pull....rinse with water
     
  16. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    I remember back in the plating shop all the tanks had current running through them.
     
  17. Smartin

    Smartin antiqueautomotiveservice.com Staff Member

    This is the backyard version sans power.

    Item of note: if you use the muriatic acid, don’t leave them in too long. The parts will disappear :D
     
    Brett Slater likes this.
  18. breezy 455

    breezy 455 Active Member

    Is there a list of pieces that are flash chromed? I'm polishing the rear window trim on my 70 and it looks like they are plated, I can't get an even finish on them. I thought I had read that only the front trim was chromed.
     
  19. Smartin

    Smartin antiqueautomotiveservice.com Staff Member

    I’ve seen front and rear window trim that was plated but it’s not the majority.

    Pieces that I know are always plated—-

    70 GS grille stainless
    70-72 (for sure) Cowl stainless (at base of windshield)
    FRONT 70-72 wheel opening moldings (rears are not)
    70-72 rocker moldings

    Most/all Riviera trim is typically plated.
     
    Dano and breezy 455 like this.
  20. Tom Righter

    Tom Righter Well-Known Member

    I have polished all stainless trim on two vehicles now. I’ve had great results. It can be very challenging especially the large piece that goes at the bottom of the windshield definitely have a second pair of hands to do that one. Also to make sure you’re at the right spot on that wheel. It can get dangerous real quick. Make sure you’re wearing a good pair of leather gloves and eye protection
     
    breezy 455 likes this.

Share This Page