Polishing Stainles Steel Trim

[bswombaugh]

I just received a 1961 Chevy Impala to detail. The owner is primarily interested in the exterior of the car as the interior is in excellent shape. The paint on the car is a red lacquer which is looking great with just some Ultimate Polish on a white pad. The car has a lot of Stainless trim that the owner would like polished out. The trim has some scratches but overall it is just extremely hazy with little to no shine. I informed the owner that I have not had any previous experience polishing stainless but would try to do something to improve the appearance. He was ok with that and just told me to do the best that I could do and that would be fine.

What products and processes would you recommend for polishing the stainless ? I was thinking about trying something like some M105 used with some 0000 steel wool. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Todd@RUPES]

I just received a 1961 Chevy Impala to detail. The owner is primarily interested in the exterior of the car as the interior is in excellent shape. The paint on the car is a red lacquer which is looking great with just some Ultimate Polish on a white pad. The car has a lot of Stainless trim that the owner would like polished out. The trim has some scratches but overall it is just extremely hazy with little to no shine. I informed the owner that I have not had any previous experience polishing stainless but would try to do something to improve the appearance. He was ok with that and just told me to do the best that I could do and that would be fine.

What products and processes would you recommend for polishing the stainless ? I was thinking about trying something like some M105 used with some 0000 steel wool. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

How good do you want to make it and how much are you getting paid?

If you are looking to do full, restorative polishing, I would use the BLACKFIRE Metal Polishing System, hand's down. This system (compound/pre cleaner, polish, gloss polish) has the capability to take the trim from sanded right to a super high-gloss finish that looks like it has spent hours on a buffing wheel with rouge.

Then again, your client would have to be willing to pay for this level of work to. Most metal work shops would charge several hundred dollars for this, and that is with your client removing the trim and taking it to them.

Helpful Links: Using the BLACKFIRE Metal Polishing System

Using the BLACKFIRE Metal Polishing System to create a mirror-finish

BLACKFIRE Aluminum Polishing Kit



If you are just looking to clean it, swap the M105 for Marine 31 Liquid Stainless Steel Polish. The steel wool (0000) will be fine.

 

[Beemerboy]

I just received a 1961 Chevy Impala to detail. The owner is primarily interested in the exterior of the car as the interior is in excellent shape. The paint on the car is a red lacquer which is looking great with just some Ultimate Polish on a white pad. The car has a lot of Stainless trim that the owner would like polished out. The trim has some scratches but overall it is just extremely hazy with little to no shine. I informed the owner that I have not had any previous experience polishing stainless but would try to do something to improve the appearance. He was ok with that and just told me to do the best that I could do and that would be fine.

What products and processes would you recommend for polishing the stainless ? I was thinking about trying something like some M105 used with some 0000 steel wool. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

That's not stainless steel it's aluminium if it's the OEM part..In my experience the metal is anodized or something similar to protect it from oxidizing.

That said I would start with a chemical based polish like PB PP. You don't want to use compounds or the likes of that, will / could induce marring.

IMO your not going to get the scratches out by hand, the cloudy look will get some what better but not by a huge amount. It's sort of the natural of the beast with that older trim .

Maybe someone else can offer better suggestions that I have good luck and pics would be appreciated of the car

 

[bswombaugh]

That's not stainless steel it's aluminium if it's the OEM part..In my experience the metal is anodized or something similar to protect it from oxidizing.


I can tell you for a fact that it is most definitely stainless steel not aluminum.

 

[Todd@RUPES]

That's not stainless steel it's aluminium if it's the OEM part..In my experience the metal is anodized or something similar to protect it from oxidizing.

That said I would start with a chemical based polish like PB PP. You don't want to use compounds or the likes of that, will / could induce marring.

IMO your not going to get the scratches out by hand, the cloudy look will get some what better but not by a huge amount. It's sort of the natural of the beast with that older trim .

Maybe someone else can offer better suggestions that I have good luck and pics would be appreciated of the car

According to BowTie Reproductions, the factory pieces are stainless on a 1961 Impala. Although I would do further research just to make sure. You bring up a great point though, trim has changed and a lot over the years. Make sure to know which surface you are polishing.

 

[Beemerboy]

That's not stainless steel it's aluminium if it's the OEM part..In my experience the metal is anodized or something similar to protect it from oxidizing.


I can tell you for a fact that it is most definitely stainless steel not aluminum.

No problem as I recall ( and the 60's when I started cleaning and learning about detailing) the OEM parts for trim where not stainless, but I'm happy to be wrong about that.

What Todd suggested with the BF polishing system would be a good product

For me I like Semi-Chrome polish made in Germany super high quality polish that works well on all metals. With removing the cloudiness you should have good luck with stainless over aluminum..

 

[bswombaugh]

How good do you want to make it and how much are you getting paid?

If you are looking to do full, restorative polishing, I would use the BLACKFIRE Metal Polishing System, hand's down. This system (compound/pre cleaner, polish, gloss polish) has the capability to take the trim from sanded right to a super high-gloss finish that looks like it has spent hours on a buffing wheel with rouge.

Then again, your client would have to be willing to pay for this level of work to. Most metal work shops would charge several hundred dollars for this, and that is with your client removing the trim and taking it to them.

Helpful Links: Using the BLACKFIRE Metal Polishing System

Using the BLACKFIRE Metal Polishing System to create a mirror-finish

BLACKFIRE Aluminum Polishing Kit



If you are just looking to clean it, swap the M105 for Marine 31 Liquid Stainless Steel Polish. The steel wool (0000) will be fine.

I don't think he is interested in paying the kind of money it would take for a complete multi-step restoration on the trim. I think that I may try the Marine 31 with the steel wool and see if I can get some improved results. I believe that he would be happy just to get some sheen on the pieces even if all of the scratches are not removed. Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[Todd@RUPES]

I don't think he is interested in paying the kind of money it would take for a complete multi-step restoration on the trim. I think that I may try the Marine 31 with the steel wool and see if I can get some improved results. I believe that he would be happy just to get some sheen on the pieces even if all of the scratches are not removed. Thanks for all the help guys.

My pleasure.