aluminum trim restoration

[volksworld]

Got a couple wheel arch moldings that need some dings removed and to be polished...was heading to New York for a wedding so I called Resto Trim ( they did a load of stuff for me in the past when I lived up there) only to find out he died during covid....I live in North Carolina now ....anybody have any recommendations for people they've actually used ?

 

[CBODY67]

The aluminum is most probably clear anodized, so you can polish it with a good cleaner wax or similar. Getting it brighter might tend to make any dings disappear or not be quite so noticeable.

Check to see if there are any old car restoration shops in the area that might refer you to a "molding straightener/polisher" for stainless steel moldings. The alunimum might be easier to work with than stainless?

Just some thoughts,
CBODY67

 

[MONC440]

My father in law did trim rehab for years. He does not do it any more but might know someone still in the bis. The aluminum trim is most defiantly anodized if you are looking for show quality the only way to do it is strip the anodize off, work the dents out as close as possible then sand it flat and hope the metal is thick enough. I have seen him spend hours on a grill or molding only to sand thru and he would pitch the entire thing. After it is sanded straight it gets a high buff job and then to the anodizer (also getting hard to find someone still doing this). Hopefully it makes it back from the anodizer, my father in law lost more that one part that fell off the rack during the dipping process. He flat our refused to do customer stuff because of all the variables involved it the process. He mostly did early 60's Ford stuff and he would go to swap meets and buy trim he thought could be redone then sell it after the fact.

 

[MONC440]

What car and wheel moldings are you needing done. My F-I-L says he has a buddy that might have them already done. That guy is also retired but he did it for 30 years and has/had a huge inventory.

 

[The Mechanic]

Hi,

I am currently restoring a 1967 Dodge Polara 500 convertible and happen to see in a conversation you mentioned to VOLKSWORLD about your father in law may know of someone that has a huge amount of trim. I am just checking if he may have anything for my particular car?

Thanks Keith

 

[6PKRTSE]

We have a local guy by the name Gordon Duda who is retired and does trim restoring full time on the side. He does excellent work and reasonably priced.

 

[Jim 68cuda]

Theres a couple places in Pennsylvania. I remember finding one in Philadelphia, But the one I used was Jeff Goodhart with Polish This in Reading, PA.
Here's his e-mail:
jeff@polishthis.com

 

[The Mechanic]

This message is to MONC440, your in box is full, I had asked you about your F I L's connection to someone who may have some trim for my 1967 Polara 500 convertible. I'm not sure where the thread went because I saw that you replied that you would check and get back to me but for some reason I cant find that thread. I'm just checking to see if you found anything out?

Thanks Keith

 

[MONC440]

OK thanks I will clean out my in box. I hope to get over there on Friday. I will see what he has and report back.