Stainless Steel Trim

[Drdialtone]

Any suggestions on polishing stainless steel trim? I have a few pieces that have some scuffing that I would like to polish out. Is there a product that is good for this? Can it be done ON the car or do you need to remove it to polish? Power tool for it? Thanks!

[TJM70's_48]

I picked up some spare stainless parts last summer - including a set of rocker trim pieces - in need of buffing. I have never done it, but there are a number of resources on-line that give the general outline...

Here's a link to one I found to be instructive:

http://www.hotrod.com/howto/3401_stainless_trim_repair/index.html

Also, I learn well by watching others...and if you search youTube, you will find examples of tool use, safety and so on.

Good luck!

I do not think it can be done on the car - especially if you need to pound out dents or do more than light polishing. Maybe I'm wrong & someone else will chime in...but it just makes sense.

[greg g]

Eagle one used to have a product called nevrdull. It is a cotton wadding soaked with a solvent and scrubbing material. It can be done on the car but it needs some from of protection for surrounding paint. It works well for taking of tarnish, road film, oxidation, and small scratches. But it won't address deep scratches.

Utlra fine steel wool and laquer thinner works OK also but again you need to provide surroudig paint protection

http://www.nevrdull.com/index.html

[BobT-47P15]

Bench grinder with buffing wheel(s) and jewelers rouge.

Wear gloves. Buffer likes to grab the piece and toss it.

[michael.warshaw]

Be carefull once the wheel sucks the piece in beside ruining the trim, it can hurt you severly.

[Niel Hoback]

Bob says "Buffer likes to grab the piece and toss it". More like fire it at you or the most valuable thing in sight with enough force stick it in a tree.

[Young Ed]

Interesting. The directions I got with mine said to do it barehanded so you had a better grip. Also you can tell when the piece is getting too warm.

[RobertKB]

Bench grinder with buffing wheel(s) and jewelers rouge.

Wear gloves. Buffer likes to grab the piece and toss it.

Ditto. This is what I used when I buffed the stainless on my coupe after the repaint. Takes a long time if you want it perfect but not too long if you want it just nicely shined up. It was never perfect out of the factory.

Can't stress enough, as Bob says, to wear gloves. Easier to hold onto and gives good protection if the piece does take off. I have not had that happen as I hold the trim hard but I have had it dart from side to side and it can slice you hand open if you are not careful so..................wear gloves.

Well worth the effort as the stainless will look great and set the car off even better.

[Oldguy48]

Bench grinder with buffing wheel(s) and jewelers rouge.

Wear gloves. Buffer likes to grab the piece and toss it.

I purchased a buffer from Harbor Freight for around $50.00. And I bought an assortment of polishing compound at one of the car shows. Works great on the trim for my P15 (off the car). You should use a separate buffing wheel for each different grit compound. And yes, my buffer has "tossed" a few pieces quicker than you can blink your eye, so be careful.

Edited May 4, 2011 by Oldguy48

[Young Ed]

I also bought a buffer and stand from harbor frieght. Then I got a buffing starter kit from eastwood. Use a diff wheel for each grit. I numbered the grits and the wheels 1 2 3 in order of use and to keep them matched up.

[bobostski]

I buffed my grill while it was still on the car. I used a drill and buffers. It was a lot more work having to sit in front to the car and hold up the drilll but I didn’t want to take the whole front end apart. I didn’t come out as nice as if I had taken them off but looks real good.

Also, always put on your buffing wheel so they always turn in the same direction each time you use them. If you turn them around, they break of the fibers of the buffers and wear out faster. Remember, it’s the compound on the wheel that does the work, not the buffing wheel so keep your wheel charged up and rake out old compound every once in a while.

[White Spyder]

Drimel tools work well too with variable speed. They even sell a polishing kit for them at Wally World.

[Drdialtone]

I buffed my grill while it was still on the car. I used a drill and buffers. It was a lot more work having to sit in front to the car and hold up the drilll but I didn’t want to take the whole front end apart. I didn’t come out as nice as if I had taken them off but looks real good.

Also, always put on your buffing wheel so they always turn in the same direction each time you use them. If you turn them around, they break of the fibers of the buffers and wear out faster. Remember, it’s the compound on the wheel that does the work, not the buffing wheel so keep your wheel charged up and rake out old compound every once in a while.

So you used jewelers rouge? Or a specific product to buff with on the grille?

[Drdialtone]

Thanks for the multitude of suggestions! My trim is mostly in good condition, but there are a few spots on some of the trim that have minor scuffing. I think I'll start off with buffing wheels, variable speed drill, on the grill to get a feel for the process. The rocker panel strips are in the worst condition. Anything will be an improvement over how they look now. And, this strikes me as a driveway Saturday activity with a bucket of ice and several brews within arms reach!!

[falconvan]

This would make a great YouTube video if someone could film the process and post it. I'd love to watch how its done before I attempt it and I'm sure many guys on here would, too.

[hkestes41]

Go to this site. There is a good intro to polishing with info on how to choose your pad/wheel, compound, direction of polishing, safe/unsafe portion of a spinning wheel etc.

http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/buffman.htm

[P-12 Tommy]

hkestes41, Very good introduction to buffing! Thanks for the post!

Tom

[Drdialtone]

Go to this site. There is a good intro to polishing with info on how to choose your pad/wheel, compound, direction of polishing, safe/unsafe portion of a spinning wheel etc.

http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/buffman.htm

BRILLIANT! Great information - Thanks!!!

[Don Jordan]

I must be the only true lazy one here. I had all my stainless off while the car was being painted. I thought I would polish it all myself. Never under estimate the power of the pros. I spent so much time on just one piece and was never truly satisfied with look. I took my stuff to a polisher. It was worth the money to save my time and have it look gorgeous. They also removed dings and imperfections. If you're good with the wheel go for it. But a polisher will do it quicker and more efficient.

I actually have some extra pieces all polished up that I'm not sure what to with. I can take pictures if you wish.

I also had my bumpers re chromed for $300 @. But they do look nice.

[BobT-47P15]

Don......to me, it would depend upon what particular pieces are now

"extras". I might wrap them in newspaper and keep them stashed

somewhere as the cost of the trim has gotten higher. Just my .02.

[Don Jordan]

done...

I'll try to get some pictures. I really don't want them to go to waste. It is not my goal to make money but rather see that the pieces are put to use.

[bobostski]

Don, I don't think it is about being lazy. I like saying that I did all the work myself. I know the pros can do a better job but then again I have a nice looking car with new paint and new interior on my car and only have about $3500 total in my car.

You can have fun with your #1 but a #3 will set set you free.

[BobT-47P15]

I wasn't saying to make money from them, simply keeping them around

incase some piece of trim becomes damaged.....you'd have a replacement

without having to go out and purchase another.

Guess that sort of thinking is why I have spare stuff of various kinds

sitting around taking up space. I've given quite a few things to my

son in law to use on the P15 coupe damaged by the tree.

[Young Ed]

I've heard newspaper scratches chrome and stainless. Wrap in cloth of some sort. For little pieces I put them in an old sock-got that from JohnS.

[Don Coatney]

I've heard newspaper scratches chrome and stainless. Wrap in cloth of some sort. For little pieces I put them in an old sock-got that from JohnS.

Does JohnS have any more old socks or did you get the last one?