Sounds almost too easy! I was dreading trying the chemical route, but this will be much easier! Thanks mang! 
Removing anodizing on rocker trims?
Thread Starter
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
Removing anodizing on rocker trims?
I have heard that oven cleaner will do this, but I have also read that it doesn't work very well, so has anyone done this with success? I want to remove the anodizing and polish the trims, so any advice is appreciated!
TIA
TIA
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 337
Likes: 10
I have tried various ways to remove anodizing from alum, including mechanical removal, and the results were always less than satisfactory. But, I may not be aware of the correct way. Successful removal is also a function of how deep the treatment is. To be clear, I have never tried it on the rocker panels, but have on other thin stock. Mechanical would probably work, working up in grit numbers towards 1000, but the recessed areas and work hardening from the stamping process may make getting an even shine very difficult or impossible.
I think alum can be chromed...I would sure investigate that first.
I think alum can be chromed...I would sure investigate that first.
Thread Starter
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,202
Likes: 10
From: cincinnati ohio
St. Jude Donor '09
Thread Starter
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,359
Likes: 428
From: Seattle Area WA
The Anodizing isn't that deep, .010" at the maximum. The chemical(s) you need to remove it are either lye or muratic acid and they both love to eat aluminum. You could brush on some muratic acid and CAREFULLY watch it, as soon as it starts bubbling like crazy get it off with water before your rocker panel trim is gone. The trim will look like crap and you'll still need to sand and buff it.
Thread Starter
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
The Anodizing isn't that deep, .010" at the maximum. The chemical(s) you need to remove it are either lye or muratic acid and they both love to eat aluminum. You could brush on some muratic acid and CAREFULLY watch it, as soon as it starts bubbling like crazy get it off with water before your rocker panel trim is gone. The trim will look like crap and you'll still need to sand and buff it.
