trim polishing

[b569rr]

I did a search on trim polishing and noticed that Maynard did several stages of sanding. I have a '67 GT and have alot of trim to work with and most of it is straight.

Started with 220 then 320, 400, 500, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000 and finished with Mothers aluminum wheel polish. I plan to still have the pieces professionally anodized, but the scratches can be removed by me.





Maynard, how long does the finish last before aluminum oxide sets in or do you keep it waxed?

[440Ken]

I used "00" steel wool on mine.......little elbow grease needed but it worked really well.

[68_Val_Sedan]

Looks good Tom ...

[4spdfury]

if you dont polish it to a mirror finish it wont even look close to the orignal stuff. make sure all the scrathes are out before you send it out to be reanodized. the scratches show up like a sore thumb. you guys make this job alot more time consoming than it needs to be.

[b569rr]

if you dont polish it to a mirror finish it wont even look close to the orignal stuff. make sure all the scrathes are out before you send it out to be reanodized. the scratches show up like a sore thumb. you guys make this job alot more time consoming than it needs to be.

When you are on a limited budget, time is not a problem. I do have to get it closer though. Care to add some tips? I have some 2500 grit that I am going to hit it with, then compounds.

[eldubb440]

how did you remove the old anodize?  i had a file saved to another computer, something about a solution involving drain-0

[b569rr]

Heavy Duty Easy Off oven cleaner works good.

Tom

[jamesdart]

i always wondered just how shiney this stuff was when the cars were new. i only have the grill on my elcheapo dart and boy am i glad fo that. well i guess i should think about the stainless window mouldings.

[b569rr]

My trim is so freaking straight that I get a little nervous with heat from a wheel. Know what I mean. I can get it there by hand prior to anodize. I have the winter. 

[4spdfury]

if you take your time and use the right pressure it wont hurt the trim. dependin g upon the buffing wheels and compoun you have you could stop at the 400-600 sand paper and save your self alot of time. when you polish your trim turn the trim at a angle so you get the pad to cross up against the sanding lines. then when you final buff your parts go straight with the final buff pad. also if you have the right pads and a big enough buffer you wont need to sand the trim at all.

[south tex mopar]

if you dont polish it to a mirror finish it wont even look close to the orignal stuff. make sure all the scrathes are out before you send it out to be reanodized. the scratches show up like a sore thumb. you guys make this job alot more time consoming than it needs to be.

When you are on a limited budget, time is not a problem. I do have to get it closer though. Care to add some tips? I have some 2500 grit that I am going to hit it with, then compounds.

Steel wool (super fine)then buffing wheel and all your trim is likenew.Unless there pitted then your screwed

[b569rr]

Here is the buffer wheel product. Like a mirror. They had about 12 combined dimples. The trunk finish panel is next.

[68_Val_Sedan]

Looking good Tom ...

[jamesdart]

sweet

[ValiantOne]

Tom, looks like you got a good handle on it. I have had good luck just polishing with rouge and then going back and fixing the noticible inperfections. It saves all those stages of sanding on every piece. On the smaller pieces I taped them to a piece of wood board or pvc pipe to hold them for polishing. Works good.

Again, looks like you have a good handle on it though.

[smitty72]

looks sweet

I am gonna have to try and get mine to polish out someday

[b569rr]

Thanks guys. I will probably get the Eastwood kit, but things are going nice and slow. Gives me something to do while I save $$$ for paint.

I used the board trick Chris. Thanks for the tip. For the GT trim on top of the quarters and doors, I will leave it on the car. Paint is coming off anyways.