Author Topic: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim  (Read 87416 times)

Offline Cuda Cody

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 3988
  • Vancouver, WA
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #60 on: September 24, 2014 - 01:28:04 AM »
Super glad the videos helped.  Can't wait to see how your trim turns out.  Be sure to post some photos!  :cheers:

Just finished all three videos. Outstanding information. I've done some stainless work and got nice results but with some of the tips you gave me, I am convinced I can get show quality results now. I am playing with a convertible right now which has tons of stainless and every bit of it is dented up. Can hardly wait to do some of it. I like your shop by the way!
The funniest thing about this particular signature is that by the time you realize it doesn't say anything it's to late to stop reading it.




Offline Beekeeper

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 964
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #61 on: September 28, 2014 - 10:04:01 PM »
Cody, where can I find one of those table top Dolly's like you used in your video? Looks so much easier than the way I've been doing it. I've looked on eBay and auto body tool mart with no success

Offline Topcat

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 15376
  • Member since 9/16/04
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #62 on: September 28, 2014 - 11:11:55 PM »
Check out TPtools.com and Eastwood.com (not the cheapest).

Lots of cool stuff there
Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline brads70

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 18747
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #63 on: September 05, 2015 - 11:56:22 AM »
 :wave: Hi Cody,  I'm just tackling a S/E rear trim/tail light panel.(aluminum not stainless) I spent a few hours peening out the damage and sanded it down , then used Brasso  and it came up like chrome . My question is what do you use to remove the factory anodizing?  Oven cleaner?  I had damage on the one side where it goes around the quarter so I'd like to remove the anodizing and just polish it with the brasso. It is noticeable the bare aluminum polished and the remaining anodizing.  I know that's not perfect but it's all the means I have to fix it at the moment. 
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline Cuda Cody

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 3988
  • Vancouver, WA
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #64 on: September 05, 2015 - 12:44:19 PM »
I would help, however at this point I haven't worked with factory anodized aluminum much.   Maybe someone else with more experience with speak up.  Good luck.   :2thumbs:

:wave: Hi Cody,  I'm just tackling a S/E rear trim/tail light panel.(aluminum not stainless) I spent a few hours peening out the damage and sanded it down , then used Brasso  and it came up like chrome . My question is what do you use to remove the factory anodizing?  Oven cleaner?  I had damage on the one side where it goes around the quarter so I'd like to remove the anodizing and just polish it with the brasso. It is noticeable the bare aluminum polished and the remaining anodizing.  I know that's not perfect but it's all the means I have to fix it at the moment.
The funniest thing about this particular signature is that by the time you realize it doesn't say anything it's to late to stop reading it.

Offline brads70

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 18747
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #65 on: September 05, 2015 - 01:49:47 PM »
I would help, however at this point I haven't worked with factory anodized aluminum much.   Maybe someone else with more experience with speak up.  Good luck.   :2thumbs:
Thanks for the reply anyhow!  :2thumbs:
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline Cudaragtop

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1437
  • Woulda Shoulda Cuda! Randy
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #66 on: September 05, 2015 - 06:49:27 PM »
Thanks for the reply anyhow!  :2thumbs:
Brad, I used oven cleaner and fine steel wool to remove the factory anodizing from the belt moldings on the tops of my doors.
It took several rounds but when it's off you can tell. After they were are smoothed and polished I had them clear coated by my painter. Anodizing them would have been expensive. I have read and watched vids on how to home anodize but decided just to have them clear coated.
I think they look good.

Randy
- Randy D.
1 of 88 1970 340 4-Speed 'Cuda Convertibles
69 Barracuda Fastback Project Album https://goo.gl/photos/XjsAsx4LDo7psimU8
----o00o--'(_)'--o00o----

Offline plycuda67

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 23
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #67 on: September 05, 2015 - 07:13:25 PM »
great job on the video a lot of help where did you buy that bench dollie :ylsuper:

Offline brads70

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 18747
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #68 on: September 05, 2015 - 08:55:41 PM »
Brad, I used oven cleaner and fine steel wool to remove the factory anodizing from the belt moldings on the tops of my doors.
It took several rounds but when it's off you can tell. After they were are smoothed and polished I had them clear coated by my painter. Anodizing them would have been expensive. I have read and watched vids on how to home anodize but decided just to have them clear coated.
I think they look good.

Randy
Thanks!  :2thumbs:
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline Cuda Cody

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 3988
  • Vancouver, WA
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #69 on: September 07, 2015 - 02:03:41 AM »
It was a long time ago but I think it was from Eastwood.

where did you buy that bench dollie :ylsuper:
The funniest thing about this particular signature is that by the time you realize it doesn't say anything it's to late to stop reading it.

Offline soundcontrol

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1603
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #70 on: September 07, 2015 - 06:39:51 AM »
Great videos! I got all the SE trim on my vert, lots of dings and scratches, gonna try to fix it myself. A question, if anyone knows, I got some holes in my trim. I can TIG weld them and make it smooth, but will they polish to the same finish or will there be a visable spot on the trim?
/ Ken
Restoration thread: http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=102525.0
topic=108917.new#new

Offline AARTA340

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1219
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #71 on: October 07, 2015 - 12:38:05 AM »
The filler rod will probably be a different composition than the trim and will most likely be visible. Just a quick thought, maybe using some old trim that is non repairable and cut into strips and use for filler material. I would try this on and old piece of trim and polish it out and check for appearance. Good luck on this. :cheers:


Great videos! I got all the SE trim on my vert, lots of dings and scratches, gonna try to fix it myself. A question, if anyone knows, I got some holes in my trim. I can TIG weld them and make it smooth, but will they polish to the same finish or will there be a visable spot on the trim?

Offline Mopar Mitch

  • Autocrosser/Road Course Racer
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 682
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #72 on: October 07, 2015 - 03:36:43 PM »
Can this be done to the front 70 grille??? Challenger...  have a cpl small dings... shows stress marks...
Autocross/road racers go in deeper... and come out harder!

See  MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, AUGUST 2006 ISSUE for featured article and details on my autocross T/A.

Offline soundcontrol

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1603
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #73 on: October 08, 2015 - 11:44:55 AM »
The filler rod will probably be a different composition than the trim and will most likely be visible. Just a quick thought, maybe using some old trim that is non repairable and cut into strips and use for filler material. I would try this on and old piece of trim and polish it out and check for appearance. Good luck on this. :cheers:


Very god idea, will try this also.
/ Ken
Restoration thread: http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=102525.0
topic=108917.new#new

Offline anlauto

  • Permanent Resident
  • *******
  • Posts: 12328
  • I'm Alan G...I'm a Mopar Addict
    • Alan Gallant Automotive Restoration
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #74 on: October 08, 2015 - 12:23:10 PM »
... where did you buy that bench dollie :ylsuper:

Try searching EBay "small anvil"  :2thumbs:
I've taught you everything you know.....but I haven't taught you everything I know !
www.alangallantautomotiverestoration.com