Author Topic: Are the moldings made of aluminium (Read 689 times)

walkAbout · « **on:** November 26, 2011 - 05:33:10 PM »

Hi Peeps,

next question, did already a search...

My trunk and hood moldings are scratched. I removed the bezels from the head lamps and from my feelings they are made of aluminium. So I think the others are too. That would be very easy, so I just can polish it a little bit with fine sandpaper and then give it it a shiny finish. Not much work, but really good results.

What do you mean. Is it aluminum and did you too?

CU

walkAbout

walkAbout · « **Reply #1 on:** November 29, 2011 - 03:57:47 PM »

Hmm, nobody knows if it is aluminium? I have to know before I begin...

I appreciate your answers.

CU

walkAbout

72cudamaan · « **Reply #2 on:** November 29, 2011 - 04:14:34 PM »

I believe the headlight buckets are made of potmetal.

burdar · « **Reply #3 on:** November 29, 2011 - 04:27:35 PM »

The headlight buckets, hood moulding and tail panel trim are anodised aluminum. You can't just polish it. The anodising needs to be stripped off the part first or it will not shine up. The re-anodising process is expensive. A lot of people just choose to polish the trim every once in awhile when it starts looking tarnished.

I have not done this so I'm just telling you what I've heard. Some people have removed the anodising by using oven cleaner. Not the green, environmental friendly stuff. Be careful because it will eat into the aluminum if you aren't careful.

There is a new product called RPM. ECS automotive sells it. By applying it to the parts after you polish it, the parts will stay looking good longer. It was tested on some aluminum wheels with good results.

walkAbout · « **Reply #4 on:** November 30, 2011 - 01:30:34 PM »

Thanks for the explanation, burdar.

As the car is usually only driven when the sun is out, it is worth to think about it. Many years ago I've bought an aluminum bicycle that was painted pink. I didn't like the paint and wanted polished aluminum, so I scratched the paint off and polished the bike until it looked like a mirror. I finished with wax. The bike is still shiny, but needs more cleaning. Some guys even drive polish aluminium wheels. And yes, its a lot of work to keep it shiny. RPM is worth a try then.

I don't know what exactly is anodising but I think if I use fine sand paper I will get it off too.

Thanks for making it clear for me, I will think about and not just start.

CU

walkAbout