Bright work trim on 68 Polara

[HWYCRZR]

Starting to clean my trim for my 68 Polara. Initially I thought it was a combination of aluminum (beltline, wheel well, and bottom rocker) and Stainless (windshield, hood, windows, drip rail and rear window). However my magnetic screw driver is sticking to what I thought was stainless. Is it actually chromed metal. I didn't think stainless was typically magnetic. Anybody have the answer to what materials were used?

 

[Big_John]

View attachment 96821 Starting to clean my trim for my 68 Polara. Initially I thought it was a combination of aluminum (beltline, wheel well, and bottom rocker) and Stainless (windshield, hood, windows, drip rail and rear window). However my magnetic screw driver is sticking to what I thought was stainless. Is it actually chromed metal. I didn't think stainless was typically magnetic. Anybody have the answer to what materials were used?

It's stainless.

It's a common mistake that all SS is non magnetic. It depends on the alloy.

The SS trim work on our cars is a alloy that is magnetic.

Give me a few minutes and I'll dig up a good link to polishing SS.

 

[Big_John]

Here's one on polishing aluminum.
Tech...Polishing anodized aluminum trim
Some links in this thread.
How about a stainless trim repair and polishing thread to end all stainless threads?
Dent repair.
Stainless mould repair 101
The best thread.
Tech Week May 2013, Chrome Trim Repair Simplified

I buy my stuff from Caswell plating, but I started with an Eastwood kit. I also bought a Harbor Freight buffer and did all my trim on my 300. It's dirty work... Wear a dust mask, safety glasses and gloves. One other thing, once you get a good feel for doing it, get some larger diameter wheels. They are more apt to yank the piece from your hands, but they polish faster.

 

[HWYCRZR]

Thanks for the info
I bought a 1hp 10" dual wheel buffer and accessories from Eastwood.

Am working on the dings and dents now. I stumbled across a video on U-tube showing a guy using a Papa-dent tool with a mushroom head. I Had to have one. I have been practicing on a really rough piece of aluminum trim. I love it.

 

[HWYCRZR]

Papa-Dent | Multi-Purpose Tool

Similar methods to the arbor press or drill press in the links, but a little friendlier hard to get areas. Of course more expensive too.

 

[Big_John]

Papa-Dent | Multi-Purpose Tool

Similar methods to the arbor press or drill press in the links, but a little friendlier hard to get areas. Of course more expensive too.

Yes, used one of those for many years with a center punch in the tip.

I'm too cheap to buy something like that.... I use a small hammer and a couple different punches.

Take a look a the Caswell site for supplies. http://www.caswellplating.com/