1950 Plymouth Delivered!!!

[edrendek7777]

Hey all, so my new car got delivered Friday to the shop that will do the brakework...  They are going to do a once over on the rest of the vehicle to make sure nothing else looks shotty.  So after they are all done with that I will have it on the road and no doubt will start working on a few cosmetic things that I need to do.  First things first I will work on pulling all the chrome/trim on the exterior to give it a good buff with some rubbing compound and then a nice polish/wax.  So that being said, I found a few things here but wanted to ask a few questions since I didn't find any definitive answers.  Sorry if this is all out there somewhere but until I get accustomed to the search function on this site I will probably be asking "stupid" questions.  I can't wait to post a few pics of the car once I get it back after the brakes are done and new tires mounted/balanced...

TRIM/CHROME:

What is the best way to pull the existing chrome?  I have seen tool kits for trim removal, but is there a "best" set out there?  Are there standard clips that I can use to remount after pulling (same clips used for all pieces?)?  Any other insight one can give outside of the above questions that will help me out being a newbie?

BUFF/WAX:

What is the best rubbing compound to remove the several year faded paint?  Best multi step process?  Rubbing compound, then wax? 

 

[edrendek7777]

[edrendek7777]

Aaaaand sorry. One more question about polishing the chome/stainless pieces...  after pulled what is the best method for cleaning the pieces up?  Bumpers can be cleaned up while attached I assume, same method but with a handheld tool?

[greg g]

Eagle 1 has a product called N V R dull.  Is is a slightly abrasive fiber material with a solvent/polish soaked into it.  Works pretty well for normal contaminants and oxidation.  Also go to the grocery store, in the cleanser section grab a can on Bon Ami or Barkeeper's Friend powdered cleanser.  Was your car and then rewet square foot sections and with a soft cloth use it on the whole car including the exterior glass and chrome.  Both are feldspar based and neither will scratch the surfaces, but they will remove dead paint and contaminants, kinda like a clay bar.  You need to do lots of rinsing and your driveway will be white for a couple of days, but I think it beats rubbing compound and doesn't leave swirl marks.  Try it on the bottom of the rear fender.  If you don't like the results use the rest in your sinks and bathtubs.

[pflaming]

An old timer car salesman told me they used acetone, I’ve used it since, wash it a section at a time then warm soapy water to finish the task. 

[HotRodTractor]

That car looks familiar..... was it for sale in Ohio/Indiana? Celina sticks in my mind, but I wouldn't swear to it.

[edrendek7777]

Yes it was, Custom Rods and Muscle in Celina Ohio...

[HotRodTractor]

It was for sale for quite a while, but I never got the chance to go look at it. I hope it treats you well.

[plymouthcranbrook]

As far as chrome removal if the 50 is like the 52 the fender spears are bolted on using clips through the fenders. Unbolt(probably rusted)and it should just come off.  Everything else I have taken off my 52 is a bolt on in some fashion.

Edited August 6, 2019 by plymouthcranbrook

[edrendek7777]

OK, so the clips that have bolts I can get off the car, but where do I get the clips to reinstall on the car?

[BobT-47P15]

You can often use some of the late model chrome clips that are scored so you can break off pieces to make them fit the chrome trim.  

 

Otherwise, there are some vendors out there who probably have the original style......look on eBay for one thing.

[RobertKB]

Restoration Specialties will have the clips. I got all new ones from them for my '51 business coupe project. Clips are just like the originals.