Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim

Author Topic: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim  (Read 87433 times)

Offline Cuda Cody

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 3988
  • Vancouver, WA
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #15 on: January 01, 2012 - 04:45:30 PM »
You're funny Mike!  lol   We did it in one take... as a mater of fact the little camera would only hold about 8 - 9 minutes so we had to stop the camera to clear the memory to part 2 and then again for part 3.  lol

Thanks for the additional tip Skunkworks.  I've posted some more tips in the comments of the videos so everyone can benefit from them too.



Wowsa!!    :wow:


Great videos! Be honest now, how many times did you need a retake?

 Those were so professional. Great job Cody.    :cooldancing:
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 #16 on: January 01, 2012 - 05:14:52 PM »
Good job Cody! :clapping:  you must have looked at my car  for insperation on the need for such a video!  :grinyes:  Mine sure needs some work in this department!  :lol:  Funny part is I've had most of the equipment to do it for 10 plus years but never have tried. :-[
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 BIGSHCLUNK

  • Sr. Resident
  • ******
  • Posts: 9341
  • Miss NIKKI - were you this hot at 48?
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #17 on: January 01, 2012 - 05:16:29 PM »
Brad, then practice on yours and when you get good do mine!  :bigsmile:    :roflsmiley:
70 Chally R/T Convertible- Yes she's really got a HEMI, no she's not a Charger!
                                             [o o o o]
                                                  OO
                                                  OO 
                                              [o o o o]
https://www.aanddtruckautoparts.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-D-Truck-and-Auto-Parts/67427352555?ref=hl

Offline dodj

  • Sr. Resident
  • ******
  • Posts: 6197
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #18 on: January 01, 2012 - 05:38:09 PM »
 :2thumbs: Thanks Cody. Appreciate the time and effort to help us all out.  :2thumbs:

There's going to be a Challenger in Canada looking better because of that video. Thank you very much!
Scott
1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
Good friends don't let friends do stupid things. ........alone.

Offline MEK-Dangerfield

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 20946
  • I don't get NO respect! Member since 1/25/2002
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #19 on: January 01, 2012 - 05:45:18 PM »
Hey OS how about a sticky so we have those links handy?   :dunno:


That's what the Archives board is for...or so I think.

Mike

1970 Challenger - SOLD
2016 SXT+.  1 of 524 SXT+'s in Plumb-crazy for 2016.

Offline brads70

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 18747
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #20 on: January 01, 2012 - 05:56:59 PM »
Brad, then practice on yours and when you get good do mine!  :bigsmile:    :roflsmiley:

 :lol: Yours wouldn't have as much to polish being a vert? no?
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 Chryco Psycho

  • Administrator
  • C-C.com Guru
  • *****
  • Posts: 36620
  • 70 Challenger R/T SE 70 tube Chassis Cuda now sold
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #21 on: January 01, 2012 - 06:04:03 PM »
3M makes a really cool buffing wheel , it is a firm scotchbrite type of wheel , they are a bit expensive but well worth using if you are doing a lot of trim . the wheels feel somewhat hard & you would think it would damage the stainless but it actually buffs out scratches very well .
 One thing to mention is to make SURE the piece you are working with is stainless , if it is alum you can damage it very quickly & it need to be n=handled differently .

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline chaps70rt

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 613
  • 70 Challenger R/T Hardtop in Progress (Canada)
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #22 on: January 02, 2012 - 07:59:24 AM »
Thanks CP ..... good to know.   What is the 3M buffing wheel called or specs??  Is it still white, or another color?

Regarding stainless vs. aluminum ..... would the Challenger headlight bezels be a good example of this?

CHAPS
White 1970 Challenger R/T
440 - 4BBL - Shaker
Daily Driver - 2014 Dodge RAM 1500
Stouffville, Ontario Canada

Offline 72ls5fla

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 306
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #23 on: January 02, 2012 - 09:37:10 AM »
not 100% sure, but I think the light bezels, front hood trim, rear light/trunk trim, rocker trim and wheel-well trim are all anodized aluminum.
The S/E trim and all window related trim are stainless.

Bill

Offline spamtank

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1665
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #24 on: January 02, 2012 - 10:32:48 AM »
Cody, 

Thanks for the great tutorial.  I found this very helpful.  Do you have any hints on re-applying the black accent in the groove around the SE rear window trim?  Mine has some areas which are missing, and I'd like to polish it back up like this and then put that black feature back in properly.

Rick

Rick, Manchester, NH
1970 SE 383 2V AT Challenger
1977 M882/W200 Power Wagon
2013 RT Plus 6M

Offline GranCuda1970

  • Sr. Resident
  • ******
  • Posts: 5515
  • Rev 20:4. Mat 6:33 John 1:3 Mat 26:41
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #25 on: January 02, 2012 - 11:28:26 AM »
Thanks I prolly would have mucked em up. I think there is a business that re-annodizes around here somewhere they can do multiple colors too!!!.. not that I would.

Offline Cuda Cody

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 3988
  • Vancouver, WA
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #26 on: January 02, 2012 - 01:10:12 PM »
Haven't done one yet, but I would think it would be best to start by trying the easiest way first.  I will take a look at some SE trim when I get back in the shop, but could you polish the trim and then use tape to cover the area that you don't want painted.  That way you can spray the black groove and remove the tape for a nice clean line and perfect trim?  You might want to scuff the groove before you paint it so it has some bit to the paint too.

Cody, 

Thanks for the great tutorial.  I found this very helpful.  Do you have any hints on re-applying the black accent in the groove around the SE rear window trim?  Mine has some areas which are missing, and I'd like to polish it back up like this and then put that black feature back in properly.

Rick
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 spamtank

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1665
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #27 on: January 03, 2012 - 05:30:35 AM »
Haven't done one yet, but I would think it would be best to start by trying the easiest way first.  I will take a look at some SE trim when I get back in the shop, but could you polish the trim and then use tape to cover the area that you don't want painted.  That way you can spray the black groove and remove the tape for a nice clean line and perfect trim?  You might want to scuff the groove before you paint it so it has some bit to the paint too.

Thanks Cody.  That probably what I'll try.
Rick, Manchester, NH
1970 SE 383 2V AT Challenger
1977 M882/W200 Power Wagon
2013 RT Plus 6M

Offline RB2929

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 868
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #28 on: January 03, 2012 - 04:35:33 PM »
Cody-
Thank you very much for taking the time to create the instructional videos.
I have a set of rocker arm “spears” that need refurbishing.  Your videos show that I can do it  :cheers:

Technical question:
My dog’s tongue is 320 grit. Do you think I can save time if I rub a steak on the trim and let my dog do her thing?  ;)

Thanks again for posting.  It’s a great winter project.

Offline MEK-Dangerfield

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 20946
  • I don't get NO respect! Member since 1/25/2002
Re: Tips and Tricks for polishing / buffing Stainless Trim
« Reply #29 on: January 03, 2012 - 04:48:19 PM »


Technical question:
My dog’s tongue is 320 grit. Do you think I can save time if I rub a steak on the trim and let my dog do her thing?  ;)


I don't believe a dog's tongue has an RPM that is fast enough, but that is an interesting idea.    :smilielol:

Mike

1970 Challenger - SOLD
2016 SXT+.  1 of 524 SXT+'s in Plumb-crazy for 2016.