How did you polish your trim, and how crappy is reproduction trim? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

y5mgisi · 12-11-2015, 11:53 AM

I'm at the stage of putting the trim back on my crew cab project. It is mostly in decent shape but just kinda nasty. I would like to Polish it up but haven't really found anything that works good with my bit of experimentation. What method did you do and how did it work?

Secondarily, some pieces need replaces. I have heard the aftermarket trim is crap. How crap is crap? What is bad about it? Should I just take it off the table as an option? Or is it really not that terrible ?

Last, what kind of double sided tape should I use for all the pads where they stick to the body?

Thank you for any advice!

**TKCR** · 12-11-2015, 12:35 PM

I used Brasso on mine. I got another set of cab trim off an 84 in a salvage yard this past summer. No dents in it whatsoever, just needed a good cleaning & polishing. It looked almost brand new.

**Dieselwrencher** · 12-11-2015, 12:38 PM

I wish I could help you on the upper and lower mouldings. I've asked and not got much feed back either. I need all the upper and lowers for my 76 and was planning on buying it all new from LMC but am hesitant to do so for the same concerns you have.

Breeze454 · 12-11-2015, 06:28 PM

I had the same question about repro trim myself. I've used the LMC stuff on my truck and it's not comparable to factory. It's "soft", bends easily, looks wavy after you press it on. The double sided tape they use is garbage, I've had to remove some of it and replace it with 3M emblem tape to get it to stay put. The clips and nuts are pathetic, the nuts won't cut threads in the studs, the clips are just cheap. That being said, my trim was toast and needed replacing so it was my only option. Looks way better than it did before, nice and bright, hopefully it will stay that way. I would recommend salvaging all of the factory clips you can and reuse those, makes life much easier.

**1774btcrew** · 12-11-2015, 09:55 PM

The used trim isn't bad to polish back up. If you can get the clear anodizing off, it will polish up pretty easily. That being said, once you DO strip the anodizing off it is a maintenance thing and will have to be kept polished.

12-11-2015, 11:53 AM	#1
y5mgisi Second Chance Program Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,642	How did you polish your trim, and how crappy is reproduction trim? I'm at the stage of putting the trim back on my crew cab project. It is mostly in decent shape but just kinda nasty. I would like to Polish it up but haven't really found anything that works good with my bit of experimentation. What method did you do and how did it work? Secondarily, some pieces need replaces. I have heard the aftermarket trim is crap. How crap is crap? What is bad about it? Should I just take it off the table as an option? Or is it really not that terrible ? Last, what kind of double sided tape should I use for all the pads where they stick to the body? Thank you for any advice! __________________ 90 Chevy Suburban 2500 5.3 swap/th400/np241/14bltSF/10blt. 77 C20 crew cab Silverado. 396/th400. In work.

12-11-2015, 12:35 PM	#2
TKCR Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,978	Re: How did you polish your trim, and how crappy is reproduction trim? I used Brasso on mine. I got another set of cab trim off an 84 in a salvage yard this past summer. No dents in it whatsoever, just needed a good cleaning & polishing. It looked almost brand new. Attached Images

12-11-2015, 12:38 PM	#3
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,142	Re: How did you polish your trim, and how crappy is reproduction trim? I wish I could help you on the upper and lower mouldings. I've asked and not got much feed back either. I need all the upper and lowers for my 76 and was planning on buying it all new from LMC but am hesitant to do so for the same concerns you have. __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*

12-11-2015, 06:28 PM	#4
Breeze454 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: North Florida Posts: 100	Re: How did you polish your trim, and how crappy is reproduction trim? I had the same question about repro trim myself. I've used the LMC stuff on my truck and it's not comparable to factory. It's "soft", bends easily, looks wavy after you press it on. The double sided tape they use is garbage, I've had to remove some of it and replace it with 3M emblem tape to get it to stay put. The clips and nuts are pathetic, the nuts won't cut threads in the studs, the clips are just cheap. That being said, my trim was toast and needed replacing so it was my only option. Looks way better than it did before, nice and bright, hopefully it will stay that way. I would recommend salvaging all of the factory clips you can and reuse those, makes life much easier.

12-11-2015, 09:55 PM	#5
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,603	Re: How did you polish your trim, and how crappy is reproduction trim? The used trim isn't bad to polish back up. If you can get the clear anodizing off, it will polish up pretty easily. That being said, once you DO strip the anodizing off it is a maintenance thing and will have to be kept polished. __________________ AZPartsLocators on Instagram 1972 Cheyenne Super Short Bed big block "Blackie" 1977 Crew Cab GMC Short bed with 4BT Intercooled Cummins Diesel and a 4L80e "The Junkyard Dog" 1985 Crew Cab Chevy dually with 5.9 Cummins "The Big Dog" This is what my dad liked to be called by the grandkids before he passed so it seems fitting for his old truck.



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