Our resident Computer Doctor and Riv expert sent me some trim to clean up before the Summer season hits. Complete set of lower wide rocker moldings, lower windshield trim, and windshield wipers This is all I have to show for it so far:laugh: I'll make some headway this weekend, though. I've been trying to iron out the International that is sitting in the way.
Looks great! There are not many people that realize the work that goes into polishing parts like that. One slip of the buffer can destroy a part like that. Keep up the good work. Dave
Thanks! It is definitely more than just running a piece of trim under a buffing wheel for a minute. This piece by itself took me about an hour straight. It didn't have any repairs, though. One deep scratch, which really was pretty easy. This does not count the stripping that I have to do on some of these parts either. Most of them have a flash chrome layer that has to be removed to repair and polish the stainless. Also, with these pieces of trim acting as glorified gravel shields, they have a TON of pits from rocks and debris over the years. Those big long pieces that go on the doors will take about a half day each.
That is beautiful work!! I know it is different, but do you have a process to refinish the anodized aluminum trim pieces that make up the halo trim on '64 Skylarks? Mine are dent free, but won't shine up. Thanks,
Looks great Adam! I'm sure Yard's Riv will be even more of an eye catcher with those trim pieces glinting in the sun!
The anodizing has to be removed, then the aluminum polished. You can choose to leave the aluminum bare (you'll have to maintain it pretty regularly), or you can clearcoat it...or you can have it reanodized, which would have to be sent out to someone who does this.
Dale, it is chemically stripped. You can sand it off, but it would take days:laugh: I finally finished the cowl trim tonight. Man, these things are scary under the wheel.
I'm sure the aluminum is anodized. It can be stripped and polished, but it would either have to be re-anodized or maintained fairly consistently. I suppose you could try putting some sort of lacquer or clear coat on it, too.
Adam, yes you state the flash chrome has to be striped since all this old flash is hexavalent and very toxic. Are you saying you strip the flash chrome off yourself or send it out ?
