72and86

I have a rally wheel trim ring which has the many clips on the back, so I know it's not original.
I was trying to clean it as it had accumulated some dirt. I used some kitchen cleaner called "soft scrub". It supposed to be a mild abrasive.
Now the ring looks cloudy and dull.
Did I ruin it?
I tried several applications of Mothers Aluminum Polish which seemed to do nothing.
Can I bring back the shine? How?

rcread

You should be able to polish it with a buffing wheel and some compound.

sullyman56

I used some fine steel wool on some bumpers that were dull and it worked ok. The buffing wheel may work better though.

72and86

The car compound that usually comes in a paste container?

rcread

Start with black emery and then use white rouge.

Alan 71

Hi 72,
I think it depends on just what the material is that this ring was made from, and if it was plated or not.
Original production line rings were made of stainless steel which was polished and then was "flash chromed"… a layer of chrome plating without the usual copper and nickel plating.
Might this ring be stainless with chrome plating?
PERHAPS you have gone through the VERY thin chrome plating into the base stainless steel.
PERHAPS the ring has some kind of 'clear finish' on it that a chemical in the Soft Scrub reacted with to dull it?
Regards,
Alan

72and86

I will take a few pics and a much closer look at the surface. (I didn't go crazy with the soft scrub...)

I usually have trouble identifying chrome, aluminum, and stainless parts and what is the proper way to polish each.
I believe all the above are NOT magnetic...

kenba

You are correct they are NOT magnetic. I only use 0000 steel wool on all my chrome & stainless parts.

72and86

Yeah the best efforts of my car savy friend could not save it. He thought too there might have been a clear coating on it.

71 Green 454

I was hoping to see some pictures.

72and86

The difference is too subtle to photograph. You really can't see the surface texture well.

jim in oregon

Goofy as it may sound Do the same to the other three so they all look the same.
.Get new ones when you can find-afford them and in the meantime relax and drive-enjoy your vette..

My Grandpa used to say to me when I was compulsive-obsessive over some detail.."Jimmy...It'll never be see on a galloping horse.."..SO get with those horses and ride!Jim

jim in oregon

Stainless steel or chromeds stainless steel is VERY magnetic..Aluminum isn't..JIM

72and86

This hasn't prevented me from DRIVING it. But I would like them all to look the same. The others are super-shiny.

I see the rings come in various sizes. Where are these sizes measured from so I can match mine?

I have a couple C3s and each seems to have a ring of different sizes...

7T1vette

Try using some paste wax (car wax), then buff with a soft cloth. Might work...

jim in oregon

OP:
Well what wheel size do they fit on?What's the visible-measurable width installed of the trim rings..?

Did you ever verify IF they are steel, stainless, chromed or aluminum or What material?
I've cleaned and polished a ton of stuff over 60 years..and I have a hard time picturing NOT being able to shine 'em up..Even clear coated stuff can be cleaned of the clear coat and true surface buffed..Jim

Alan 71

Hi 72,
All the original rings for the 7" wheels used for 68 cars and the 8"wheels used for 69+ cars were the same dimensions.
From your description…. ("many clips")... it sounds like you may have a ring similar to Corvette Central part #H-313.
Regards,
Alan

72and86

Ok. I'll pull it off the car and take a pic...
Im not sure it will pick up the reflectiveness .

72and86

This is the 1 trim ring that is cloudy. You can kinda make it out in the shot.
Pics were taken on overcast day about noon. Note the ring edge where it dips/tapers into the wheel in top pic...

Alan 71

Hi 7286,
I'd say you've rubbed through the chrome plating on a ring made from stainless steel.
The shape (configuration) of the ring itself is quite different than what 68+ GM rings are.
Someone might know what it is but I only recognize it as similar to others I've seen on various cars over the years. (Maybe a mopar ring?)
Regards,
Alan

This is a more typically configured replacement ring.
Note the slight depression and slight crease that more precisely defines the 2 surfaces of the ring near it's outer perimeter and the lip at it's inner perimeter.


An original ring.