68 Trim Rings
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 245
Likes: 15
68 Trim Rings
I have some light scratches in my trim rings that I’m looking to remove. Guessing PO used a steel wool pad on them. I’ve tried chrome polishes and scratch removers with little success. Are these rings Stainless Steel versus Chrome?
What’s the best kit or way to polish them to mirror finish without a bench mounted polisher?
What’s the best kit or way to polish them to mirror finish without a bench mounted polisher?
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 361
From: Monson MA
What i have done on trim to remove scratches.
sand area with 400, 800 and then 1200-2000 grit. I move on to a Eastwood metal polish kit and use the Rouge for SS. Staring with 400 is aggressive for deep scratches. When I get to 800 and finer I sometimes use wet.
sand area with 400, 800 and then 1200-2000 grit. I move on to a Eastwood metal polish kit and use the Rouge for SS. Staring with 400 is aggressive for deep scratches. When I get to 800 and finer I sometimes use wet.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,349
Likes: 1,578
From: los altos hills california
Twinpack is right - I have used the Eastwood polishing compounds with great success. They sell cloth wheels to absorb the compound. If you had a bench grinder that is perfect for the job providing you remove enough of the shielding to get access to the rings.
I doubt you could do this very well and uniformly without machinery of some sort. Suspect you will get a shiny spot rather than a uniform shine if you don't do the entire ring.
I have also used an air tool on this job. That would be a decent choice for you. Maybe a drill motor with some sort of adapter as a last resort but you really need RPM's. You have be very careful never to snag the wheel on an edge or you could well ruin everything.
I doubt you could do this very well and uniformly without machinery of some sort. Suspect you will get a shiny spot rather than a uniform shine if you don't do the entire ring.
I have also used an air tool on this job. That would be a decent choice for you. Maybe a drill motor with some sort of adapter as a last resort but you really need RPM's. You have be very careful never to snag the wheel on an edge or you could well ruin everything.
Last edited by ignatz; Sep 28, 2021 at 12:10 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 245
Likes: 15
Was a purist at first since the car is numbers matching, till I determined the PO changed out all the glass (have no idea why). Getting correct date coded windshield and door glass is more than I want to do. That said, the trim rings are in really good shape and I want to keep them…just polish those hazy light scratches out.
I’ve used some 2000 grit and 0000 steel wool without success. Let me try some courser grits and an Eastwood drill kit.
I’ve used some 2000 grit and 0000 steel wool without success. Let me try some courser grits and an Eastwood drill kit.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 576
From: Pittsburgh PA
steel wool or 2000 will never touch the scratches you have to be WAY more aggressive than that.
I would jump down to around 1000 see if that will work. if you keep going more aggressive until they come out
I would jump down to around 1000 see if that will work. if you keep going more aggressive until they come out
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I would try to polish up exiting rings. I'm fairly certain my 68 has aftermarket rings. I removed one, for some now unknown reason, and it took me a solid hour of fighting to get it back on and I swore I would never remove any again.