Terrible Chrome

[Togorashi]

I know this has been discussed before, but searching didn`t pull up anything. Maybe I don`t understand how to best search this forum. Anyway.



So I have a 1981 300TD. Old Benz`s have TONS of chrome trim. All of mine looks terrible. I know I will never get it looking great, but I would at least like to remove the dull oxidation and staining. Rechroming everything would be cost-prohibitive.



I`ve tried p21s soap, some old turtle brand chrome polish, 00 steel wool. Couldn`t even put a dent in it. Any suggestions?



http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/mckinneyjs/1981%20300TD/IMG_0408.jpg



http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/mckinneyjs/1981%20300TD/IMG_0409.jpg



http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/mckinneyjs/1981%20300TD/IMG_0419.jpg



http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/mckinneyjs/1981%20300TD/IMG_0420.jpg

[jesselyons2002]

You sure that isn`t polish alumium ?

[Togorashi]

You sure that isn`t polish alumium ?



Yeah. Good point. It does look more like aluminum than chrome. Question still stands though. What to do about it.

[Setec Astronomy]

Clean Dean is the old Benz expert, but in the meantime, if that`s aluminum, and I`ll agree that`s what it looks like, it`s possibly anodized. If so, there isn`t going to be much you can do for it, other than metal polish thru the anodize down to the bare aluminum...after which you will have to keep after it all the time with polish/seal to keep it looking bright.



Of course, if it was bare alumimum to begin with, you`re good to go.

[qwertydude]

Anodizing leaves a dull finish, it`s more than likely clear coated with a lacquer or clear powder coated. Only real solution to the damage caused by the harsh polishes and steel wool is to polish through the remaining coating. If it`s stubborn try wetsanding.

[Garry Dean]

WOW, P21S polishing soap didnt help? Its really bad then, that stuff is amazing!

[Autogeek]

If anything will level the surface, Wolfgang MetallWerk Aluminum Compound will do the trick.

[BigJimZ28]

when you tried the chrome polish did the rag turn black?

[Togorashi]

when you tried the chrome polish did the rag turn black?



Yes it did. Is that good or bad?

[Setec Astronomy]

I think where Jim is going is that probably means there is no finish on the aluminum or you are already through it. So you should try polishing more or use something more agressive. Perhaps mask surrounding areas and try some machine polishing (felt wheel on a drill, etc.).

[BigJimZ28]

Yes it did. Is that good or bad?



not good or bad, just a test that shows that it is not chrome or anodized/cleared

if it turns black it can be polished




I think where Jim is going is that probably means there is no finish on the aluminum or you are already through it. So you should try polishing more or use something more agressive. Perhaps mask surrounding areas and try some machine polishing (felt wheel on a drill, etc.).



yep

go to walmart or an autoparts store

and grab some painters tape and mothers power metal polish and mini power ball

(and a drill if you don`t have one)



just start on a small out of sight peice of trim as a test spot

to make sure every thing works

[Togorashi]

Sweet!



I`ll pick that up today and report back. Thanks.

[Togorashi]

Worked on it some today.



I bought 3 new metal polishes and a mini-powerball.



Mother`s Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish is a renowned metal polish, legendary in detailing and car collecting circles. The polish is safe on aluminum & mag (http://www.autogeek.net/motmagalpol.html)



Mother`s Powermetal Mothers PowerMetal Aluminum Polish (http://www.autobarn.net/05148.html)



Nevr-dull Wadding Polish Nevr-Dull Wadding Polish (http://www.autogeek.net/eo104.html)



The two mother`s products worked almost identically, but the paste polish worked a little better. I think it is more abrasive. The Nevr-dull didn`t do anything, although it might work fine on slightly dirty metal.



The mini-powerball didn`t help at all, although it`s a nice tool. I`m sure I`ll use it for lots of things.



I tried using the mother`s with 0000 steel wool and I could tell it was working, but very slowly. So, I grabbed some 600 and 1000 grit and wetsanded the trim. Then I applied the mothers with the steel wool, and finally buffed it out with the mini-powerball. Here are the results. It`s not perfect, but I think I`m on the right track. There are definate sanding lines from the 600, so I think I`ll just use the 1000 from now on.



http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/mckinneyjs/1981%20300TD/IMG_0421.jpg



http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/mckinneyjs/1981%20300TD/IMG_0422.jpg



http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/mckinneyjs/1981%20300TD/IMG_0423.jpg



http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/mckinneyjs/1981%20300TD/IMG_0424.jpg

[Togorashi]

I changed up my procedure a little bit. I spread around the Mother`s polish with 800 grit and then went over it with 0000 steel wool. I think it worked better. Not as many scratches. Here is a 50/50. The sun is going down, so it`s a little dark.



http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/mckinneyjs/1981%20300TD/IMG_0428.jpg

[Arved]

If it`s aluminum, keep steel wool away! This is important. Splinters of steel from the wool will imbed themselves in the aluminum, and cause nasty corrosion. Best to use bronze wool or 3M Scotchbrite pads. Even a copper scouring pad is a better choice than steel wool.



Another product I`ve had good success with is Bomb`s Away (http://www.captainrichardsbest.com/id23.htm) (non abrasive) metal polish. Very little effort to use. Very popular in the motorcycle community for cleaning cast aluminum wheels.



Good luck!