Trim restore question.

[terry b]

Is there a good thread on restoring aluminum side trim and grill? I need to do this over the winter. My truck just came home from paint so i need to put it back together. My trim is not to bad. I want to strip off anodizing fix a few dent's and polish and clear coat. Some how too photo's would be nice. To talk to someone who has done it would be better. I bought a eight inch grinder/ buffer. I need to know what compound and wheels i need. What sand paper.Thing's like that. Sure could use some help. Thank's terry.

[72K20SUBN]

Terry,
I'm not the best in polishing techniques for the aluminum but I can give you advice on the black insert finish. There are two brands that are self etching, and work great for this trim. They provide the correct texture (semi-matt finish). Here are the products to chose from. Kind of spendy (about 12 bucks a can) but well worth it.

Napa Auto Parts:
Part# 7244 "Trim Black", Manufacturer: Martin Senour Paints

Auto Body Supply Shop:
Part# 39143 "Trim Black, Manufacturer: SEM

[terry b]

72K20SUBN: Thanks that is kind info that i am looking for. I dont mind spending money on things that work. I want the trim to look good and last. terry.

[Square_78]

Search youtube for answers. Best solution I found so far was using Easy Off heavy duty oven cleaner or drain opener containing Lye to soak off the anodized coating. WEAR GLOVES! Then you can hammer out, sand out and polish the trim and repaint the black center. You could then clear coat it when you are done. I have been researching this also. I just got a set of used OEM side trim thats really faded and i am going to restore it before I install it.

Heres a couple I found.

63 impala video 49? POLISHING TRIM SECRET -...

This one deals with stainless trim. Its basicly the same idea. Shows you how to remove dents and dings.

Episode 9 Season 2 Polishing Musclecar Stainless...

[Sideways]

Once you remove the anodizing and polish it will be very shiny,it will not have the same look as the original . Try a scrap piece first and you can experiment with maybe a satin clearcoat.

Easy-off in the spray can is what I've always used but the item was getting a high shine finish not the anodized original look.

Good luck.

[terry b]

I thought i would remove the woodgrain decal with a heat gun. And the paint with striper before the oven cleaner is used. Is that right?

[Sideways]

That's the right order,but like I mentioned you may want to try a junk piece to make sure you getting the results you want.

[terry b]

Thanks i will do that. When done i would like them to look stock. Not to shiny.

[DT1]

I restored my grill and trim a couple of years ago. It takes a lot of time and patience but it can be done. These are some before and after Pics,

[DT1]

Sorry, I had to turn some steaks.
If you need a step by step account of how it was done, let me know.

[terry b]

WOW!!! Very nice. If you don't mind i will check in with you as i go through the process if i have questions. Thank's for the photo's. You trim and mine look about the same to start out.I hope mine turn's out as good as your's. How many hours do you have in your trim restoration? Thanks terry

[terry b]

Is that a LMC woodgrain decal?

[88fordf150]

Hello terry b, nice to see someone else from Jackson on here. I used oven cleaner and the Autosol polish from Eastwood to redo my grill.

[DT1]

Originally Posted by terry b

WOW!!! Very nice. If you don't mind i will check in with you as i go through the process if i have questions. Thank's for the photo's. You trim and mine look about the same to start out.I hope mine turn's out as good as your's. How many hours do you have in your trim restoration? Thanks terry

Thanks. You can use oven cleaner to strip the anodizing but it takes a lot of time. If you want to make short work of it use Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) crystals.
You can get a two pound jar from Ebay for around $9.00. I mixed the crystals with around 10:1 cold water and filled a spray bottle with it. CAUTION! Be careful with this stuff. It will burn you if it gets on your skin or in your eyes. Wear eye protection and clothing that will cover all of your skin. I have used it many times and have had no problems with it but you must use it with care. Spray the aluminum part and allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes re spraying enough to keep it wet during that time. Scrub with a Scotch-Brite abrasive pad until all of the anodizing is completely removed and rinse with water. After that you're ready to message the dents out and buff.
Yes, That is wood grain from LMC.

[terry b]

Brad, your truck looks very nice. Hope to see it around town. I hope to have mine on the road by summer. You live close to jackson? I am between jac and grass lake.

[terry b]

DT1 thanks for your time and info. Started on cleaning all my parts today!!!

[88fordf150]

Originally Posted by terry b

Brad, your truck looks very nice. Hope to see it around town. I hope to have mine on the road by summer. You live close to jackson? I am between jac and grass lake.

I live at Lake Columbia. I'm a few years away from having mine done.

[terry b]

Yea yours is at a whole different level of qualty than mine. That thing will be a hand full when it finished.

[Square_78]

Wow you guys do some amazing work on those grills. Maybe I will just use scotchbrite on my side trim to get the right texture beofre I paint it.

@DT1 - Did you clear coat it or anything afterwards on the side trim? You did an AMAZING job restoring your parts.

[DT1]

Originally Posted by Square_78

Wow you guys do some amazing work on those grills. Maybe I will just use scotchbrite on my side trim to get the right texture beofre I paint it.

@DT1 - Did you clear coat it or anything afterwards on the side trim? You did an AMAZING job restoring your parts.

I applied an automotive clear coat after I painted the black but before I applied the wood grain.

[Bowtiguy]

just found out the hard way, my 67-68side moldings aren't the same as my 1957 Nomad SS trim.

Nice links,

1 step back, 2 steps forward. off with the ano!

BTW, anyone re-clear ano the trim? after that much hard work, why not?