How do you clean the Cab trim? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Claytona08 · 07-04-2013, 05:45 PM

Can you clean the cab trim to where it doesn't look old and dull? I am getting my truck painted next week and like the trim but don't want to put dull trim on fresh paint.
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Brockwaykid · 07-04-2013, 10:28 PM

Mothers Aluminum polish? i used it with a rag on my emblems and it worked good.
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LONGHAIR · 07-05-2013, 09:02 AM

It is anodized, there really is not much that can be done. The anodizing has to be removed to get to the aluminum underneath, but then you have to deal with polishing it....and keeping up with it afterward. Unprotected aluminum oxidizes very quickly.

cory d · 07-05-2013, 11:30 AM

instantly even.

Zach B · 07-05-2013, 11:31 AM

Your best bet is replacing it.
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Claytona08 · 07-05-2013, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zach B

Your best bet is replacing it.
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I tried polishing it out and it still looks about the same. Do you think the paint shop could paint it silver when they paint my truck or will paint not stick to it?
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Telecasterjoey · 07-05-2013, 12:10 PM

I rub mine down with wd40 and very light scotch brite when I wash it, keeps it shiny for a little while.
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Claytona08 · 07-05-2013, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telecasterjoey

I rub mine down with wd40 and very light scotch brite when I wash it, keeps it shiny for a little while.
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I'll gives this a try before I drop the truck off at paint
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f.monroe · 07-05-2013, 12:35 PM

When they are wet they look great. They tend to look bad when dry so I wonder if clear powder coating would make these look wet all the time. It would definitely be cheaper than trying to find new GM parts.
Frank
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Claytona08 · 07-05-2013, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f.monroe

When they are wet they look great. They tend to look bad when dry so I wonder if clear powder coating would make these look wet all the time. It would definitely be cheaper than trying to find new GM parts.
Frank
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Yeah the new parts are crazy expensive. I'll have enough in paint. Don't need to drop more on cab trim.
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Damon23 · 07-05-2013, 01:18 PM

You'll have to sand, polish and clear it. A good half days work.
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beamn7 · 07-05-2013, 02:26 PM

Try some good 'ol Neverdull. Used to do that on mine every wash.... Ended up replacing it when I had the truck painted.

ont_guy_38 · 07-05-2013, 05:15 PM

Please don't go anywhere near your truck with WD40 if you are taking it to get painted. The body shop will hate you for it. WD40 and new paint do not get along well at all.

**rs74** · 07-05-2013, 05:20 PM

Somewhere on this forum someone mentioned that you can strip the top coat. Then you will have to polish it and keep doing it every now and again since the top coat is no longer there.

homemade87 · 07-05-2013, 07:15 PM

I clear coated mine when I did my resto. Looks great and stays that way. I just run a scuff pad on it to even up the finish and shot it. Did the same on my fender emblems. I dont have a picture of the cab trim but here is the emblem. I did touch up the black. My cab trim looks just as good.

LONGHAIR · 07-05-2013, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ont_guy_38

Please don't go anywhere near your truck with WD40 if you are taking it to get painted. The body shop will hate you for it. WD40 and new paint do not get along well at all.

X2 on this. Don't do it....

Claytona08 · 07-05-2013, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homemade87

I clear coated mine when I did my resto. Looks great and stays that way. I just run a scuff pad on it to even up the finish and shot it. Did the same on my fender emblems. I dont have a picture of the cab trim but here is the emblem. I did touch up the black. My cab trim looks just as good.

That looks great! What kind of scuff pad did you use? Well I guess I'll stay far away from the WD40 being it's going to paint Monday.
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homemade87 · 07-06-2013, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claytona08

That looks great! What kind of scuff pad did you use? Well I guess I'll stay far away from the WD40 being it's going to paint Monday.
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I just used a fine scuff pad. You can use one like you use for the dishes or get one from the paint store. Dont get to aggressive with it , it dont need to be perfect. The clear coat will cover a lot. Just try to get the finish to look even and scuff it left to right then shoot it. Try to work any dents out if there is any before you scuff.

74 stepside · 07-06-2013, 12:02 PM

Scotchbrite it or polish it, then have them clear powdercoated. They will look great for years.

07-04-2013, 05:45 PM	#1
Claytona08 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Silsbee Tx. Posts: 880	How do you clean the Cab trim? Can you clean the cab trim to where it doesn't look old and dull? I am getting my truck painted next week and like the trim but don't want to put dull trim on fresh paint. Posted via Mobile Device Posted via Mobile Device Attached Images __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=580955 http://youtu.be/JYoQJYTXKqI 1984 Chevrolet Scottsdale C10 "Project Platinum C10" 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle "Project Car"

07-04-2013, 10:28 PM	#2
Brockwaykid Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Granville NY Posts: 241	Re: How do you clean the Cab trim? Mothers Aluminum polish? i used it with a rag on my emblems and it worked good. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Jeff Shaw 2003 Chevy 2500HD LB7 Duramax

07-05-2013, 11:30 AM	#4
cory d Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Arlington WA Posts: 1,728	Re: How do you clean the Cab trim? instantly even. __________________ GMC C15 355 SM465 3.73 80 C10 cruiser build thread 79 short stepside crew cab. big and ugly. build thread

07-05-2013, 11:31 AM	#5
Zach B Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: El Dorado Springs Missouri Posts: 246	Re: How do you clean the Cab trim? Your best bet is replacing it. Posted via Mobile Device

07-05-2013, 12:10 PM	#7
Telecasterjoey Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ottawa ON Posts: 514	Re: How do you clean the Cab trim? I rub mine down with wd40 and very light scotch brite when I wash it, keeps it shiny for a little while. Posted via Mobile Device

07-05-2013, 12:35 PM	#9
f.monroe Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Caldwell,Tx. Posts: 3,648	Re: How do you clean the Cab trim? When they are wet they look great. They tend to look bad when dry so I wonder if clear powder coating would make these look wet all the time. It would definitely be cheaper than trying to find new GM parts. Frank Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Born and proudly residing in a Red State !

07-05-2013, 01:18 PM	#11
Damon23 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: D'ville Georgia Posts: 470	Re: How do you clean the Cab trim? You'll have to sand, polish and clear it. A good half days work. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Experience is something you gain when you didn't get what you wanted in the first place. No great defeat was ever just possible in the beginning.

07-05-2013, 02:26 PM	#12
beamn7 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Wildomar, CA Posts: 466	Re: How do you clean the Cab trim? Try some good 'ol Neverdull. Used to do that on mine every wash.... Ended up replacing it when I had the truck painted.

07-05-2013, 05:15 PM	#13
ont_guy_38 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 1,006	Re: How do you clean the Cab trim? Please don't go anywhere near your truck with WD40 if you are taking it to get painted. The body shop will hate you for it. WD40 and new paint do not get along well at all. __________________ 1985 C10 2004 Avalanche

07-05-2013, 05:20 PM	#14
rs74 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,957	Re: How do you clean the Cab trim? Somewhere on this forum someone mentioned that you can strip the top coat. Then you will have to polish it and keep doing it every now and again since the top coat is no longer there. __________________ Roy 85 Short Bed Silverado- Work in progress. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=564818 1987 R10 shortie

07-05-2013, 07:15 PM	#15
homemade87 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Guntersville Alabama Posts: 1,073	Re: How do you clean the Cab trim? I clear coated mine when I did my resto. Looks great and stays that way. I just run a scuff pad on it to even up the finish and shot it. Did the same on my fender emblems. I dont have a picture of the cab trim but here is the emblem. I did touch up the black. My cab trim looks just as good. Attached Images

07-06-2013, 12:02 PM	#19
74 stepside Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 815	Re: How do you clean the Cab trim? Scotchbrite it or polish it, then have them clear powdercoated. They will look great for years.



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