Trim Restoration
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Joined: Nov 2004
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Trim Restoration
Hello,
I've got 76 Ranger I am restoring and I'm trying to figure out how to restore the shine to the trim. I'm getting ready to paint my truck and I don't want to put dull trim back on it. I've talked to some folks and they said use Mother's Aluminum Mag polish but it didn't work to well. Is there a clear coating on the trim that must be removed? Could somebody recommend a polish that works well?
I've got 76 Ranger I am restoring and I'm trying to figure out how to restore the shine to the trim. I'm getting ready to paint my truck and I don't want to put dull trim back on it. I've talked to some folks and they said use Mother's Aluminum Mag polish but it didn't work to well. Is there a clear coating on the trim that must be removed? Could somebody recommend a polish that works well?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,940
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From: Eastern WA
Welcome to FTE!!
I know a person that restored a 61 Olds Starfire ragtop and wanted the trim nice. He took the trim pieces to a shop. It was well worth the investment when quality was desired.
On the other hand, it's just polished alumimum. Maybe a local auto body supply shop in your area has the appropriate cleaner and polish. You supply the buffer and be careful.
I know a person that restored a 61 Olds Starfire ragtop and wanted the trim nice. He took the trim pieces to a shop. It was well worth the investment when quality was desired.
On the other hand, it's just polished alumimum. Maybe a local auto body supply shop in your area has the appropriate cleaner and polish. You supply the buffer and be careful.
Last edited by CowboyBilly9Mile; Nov 8, 2004 at 06:56 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Calgary, Canada
It depends: if they're aluminum they might have anodizing on them which will have to be completely stripped to polish them. If they are stainless steel they will require much more effort to polish. I did just that for a living for 12 years. I suggest taking them to a chrome/polishing shop but be forewarned, we charge an arm and a leg for getting work like that done.
If you have a 5 horse electric motor that you can attach a cotton buffing wheel to you can use that and maybe the Mothers polish, we use a hard grease based compound that we rub on the wheel then polish the part. you'll need 2000 - 3000 rpm to do it right.
If you have a 5 horse electric motor that you can attach a cotton buffing wheel to you can use that and maybe the Mothers polish, we use a hard grease based compound that we rub on the wheel then polish the part. you'll need 2000 - 3000 rpm to do it right.
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Hey, thanks for the info. Yeah, I did some pricing and was motivatied to try to clean it up myself, if you know what I mean. I'll get some prices from shops around here and experiment on a part that is bent up and must be replaced anyway.
