Polishing clear anodized aluminum grille without stripping

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

I picked up a 72 grille and it's super. Not a flaw less one hairline scratch very much on the surface. You can't feel it. As luck has it the scratch is in good spot. You'd have to be looking for it or a half-pint.

But I'd like to polish it out if possible. Has anyone had success polishing any level of scratches without harming the existing surface? I've read many times that NOPE, you have to remove all the anodize and start over.

I described the scar to Eastwood for "Autosol Anodized Aluminum Polish."
They said "That product would certainly remove the scratch out of the grille on your vehicle."................................The description and label seem to be a contradiction "Anodized Aluminum polish" & "For un-coated aluminum surfaces". I'll probably buy a tube and test on the spare.

Here's another product I'm inquiring on. It's for oxidation anyway, on what he describes as very hard anodize. I don't see that tool on the grille though. the scratch is not on a flat surface. But a Dremel may work. https://mercedessource.com/tech-help...um-window-trim

[demian5]

You will need to sand the clear off and polish it.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by demian5

You will need to sand the clear off and polish it.

I reject that answer

[demian5]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

I reject that answer

You cant clean the garage standing outside, with the door closed...

[Already Gone]

subscribed

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by demian5

You cant clean the garage standing outside, with the door closed...

Can too.

When people say strip & polished, the polish is a cleaner an moderate protector right? Seems you'd want to seal it somehow.

I heard back from the Mercedes folks "I am not sure if our trim polish would work on this trim we have never tried it on a Chevy trim you could send some pictures and we could try and determine if it is the same as the Mercedes"

[demian5]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

Can too.

When people say strip & polished, the polish is a cleaner an moderate protector right? Seems you'd want to seal it somehow.

No, it is a clear spray coating.

[Grumpy old man]

4 choices ,

1) leave it alone

2) spend untold hours stripping /polishing and maintaining forever...

3) power coat it. $$

4) have it chromed . $$$$

[toolboxchev]

I have seem them CHROMED, and yes they stand out like that.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Not a one an acceptable answer.

Chrome is definitely bright. Powder coat is probably nice, I'd like to see that.

[jocko]

I've only seen a few pc'ed, and have yet to see one that rivals an anodized finish, let alone chrome. I'd leave it alone unless you're in the final 8 for the Riddler, THEN maybe...

[Grumpy old man]

Chrome on the left aluminum on the right

[beautimus]

try polishing compound on another similar part. then if it works try it on the good one. also you might try a good paste wax. My understanding (someone will correct me if i am wrong) is that anodizing is like clear coat that is electroplated on instead of sprayed on. if that is true, you should be able to fix it like scratches in paint. But if it were bubbling or flaking off, or cracked like on a part that were being repaired then i would say that is another matter entirely.
just suggestions, but that is what i would try first if it belonged to me. please tell us how it turns out and what you end up doing. and remember we love pics.
best of luck to you sir. Tony

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Chrome on the left aluminum on the right

Until now I figured the bezels were chrome to begin with. Never put much thought into it. Sick and tired of learning new stuff man...........Just kidding.

Originally Posted by jocko

I've only seen a few pc'ed, and have yet to see one that rivals an anodized finish, let alone chrome. I'd leave it alone unless you're in the final 8 for the Riddler, THEN maybe...

That's the ticket for this grille, though I may play with that spot. I can't complain, it will look sharp as is.

Originally Posted by beautimus

try polishing compound on another similar part. then if it works try it on the good one. also you might try a good paste wax. My understanding (someone will correct me if i am wrong) is that anodizing is like clear coat that is electroplated on instead of sprayed on. if that is true, you should be able to fix it like scratches in paint. But if it were bubbling or flaking off, or cracked like on a part that were being repaired then i would say that is another matter entirely.
just suggestions, but that is what i would try first if it belonged to me. please tell us how it turns out and what you end up doing. and remember we love pics.
best of luck to you sir. Tony

Thank you. Woodstock, how cool is that?.................................I tried 3M chrome and metal polish that does amazing things with chrome. Tried a quality light abrasive paint polish. Tried some store bought more abrasive paint scratch remover. Tried some quality paint cutter...........The surface just laughed.

If you watch the Mercedes guy, he's tried near everything and ended up bottling his own. I did not use a power tool or anything that resembles an abrasive pad.......No way, not yet anyway.

My spare still has a nice hard finish. Plenty of scratches to choose from too, so I'll likely make a go of that using at least the first product in the OP, Autosol Anodized Aluminum Polish. If any scratch can come out it's this one, but at this point I'm real skeptical about Eastwood's response that it works. The finish is very hard, it's nothing like paint or clear coat.

[Grumpy old man]

You could try this

https://sciencing.com/repair-anodize...s-7899695.html ,


Or just hand it to the chrome shop ?

[Grumpy old man]

I thought all this was supposed to be fun ?

[StingRay]

Anodizing is very very hard and incredibly thin. If you make it shine and remove the scratches you will have removed it all and polished the aluminum.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

You could try this

https://sciencing.com/repair-anodize...s-7899695.html ,


Or just hand it to the chrome shop ?

Interesting.

Chrome shop does chrome, so nah.

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

I thought all this was supposed to be fun ?

Sometimes it's just not that fun. Keeps the brain going at least.

[hewittca]

Yeah I think there's no way around one of the options Grumpy old man listed. I too, foolishly, tried to polish my trim with regular metal polish. It didn't even phase the anodized aluminum. If the scratch is in the aluminum, then the aluminum needs to be repaired even if only through light sanding. To get to the aluminum, you have to go through the anodized coating. There's physically no way around that. If you go through the anodizing, then that spot will now be bare aluminum which will polish up to an amazing shine... but now the rest of your grill is still faded anodized! I spend DAYS sanding off the anodized coating (yes, sanding!) from my old Malibu trim. It was totally the wrong way to do it and tons of aggravating work, but when I was done, wow did it shine! Of course, it required a quick polish every 2-3 months to keep the shine but, man it was shiny! Did I mention how great it looked?

[rockyrivermark]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

4 choices ,

1) leave it alone

2) spend untold hours stripping /polishing and maintaining forever...

3) power coat it. $$

4) have it chromed . $$$$

Or put coat of protectaclear from everbrite products. on it. Amazing stuff. You do have to strip and polish first. Took me 2 1/2 hours to strip and buff.
It's thin and you brush it on. Haven't touched my grill since stripping and polishing and looks great
Chrome shop quoted me $1,600
Google it. Only $24
Check out my link on it. Better pics too

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=741548

[Ironhorse]

Subscribed to this, maybe hope after all for my Chevelle rocker moldings.

[demian5]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

Subscribed to this, maybe hope after all for my Chevelle rocker moldings.

Oh you bring another character to the party... damage and pitting from debris...

[ho70]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

I thought all this was supposed to be fun ?

love the pic

Protectaclear is 85 in Canada

[rockyrivermark]

Originally Posted by hewittca

Yeah I think there's no way around one of the options Grumpy old man listed. I too, foolishly, tried to polish my trim with regular metal polish. It didn't even phase the anodized aluminum. If the scratch is in the aluminum, then the aluminum needs to be repaired even if only through light sanding. To get to the aluminum, you have to go through the anodized coating. There's physically no way around that. If you go through the anodizing, then that spot will now be bare aluminum which will polish up to an amazing shine... but now the rest of your grill is still faded anodized! I spend DAYS sanding off the anodized coating (yes, sanding!) from my old Malibu trim. It was totally the wrong way to do it and tons of aggravating work, but when I was done, wow did it shine! Of course, it required a quick polish every 2-3 months to keep the shine but, man it was shiny! Did I mention how great it looked?

If you use hair and grease drain opener with a scotch brite pad the anodizing comes off in 5 minutes. Just gloves and Saftey glasses. Nasty stuff but strips it off in no time. Let it set on there for 5 min. Then sand 220 grit all the way up to 1500 grit then buff. I think I sanded
220
320
400
600
1000
1500
Polished with mothers aluminum and mag polish

Then coat with protectaclear. It's work but maintence free once coated.
Takes about 2 hours.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by rockyrivermark

If you use hair and grease drain opener with a scotch brite pad the anodizing comes off in 5 minutes. Just gloves and Saftey glasses. Nasty stuff but strips it off in no time. Let it set on there for 5 min. Then sand 220 grit all the way up to 1500 grit then buff. I think I sanded
220
320
400
600
1000
1500
Polished with mothers aluminum and mag polish

Then coat with protectaclear. It's work but maintence free once coated.
Takes about 2 hours.

A small ding or two to work out on my original grille, that system sounds like a plan for it. Nothing wrong with having the option of two grilles. Word is protectaclear doesn't leave brush marks. How did you apply it?