Jump to content

Best way to remove dents & dimples from chrome trim?


Guest frcc16

Recommended Posts

Guest frcc16

I have a front fender trim that I need to salvage.   It has several dents from who knows what... see pictures.  The pictures show a new piece next to the piece that I need to restore.  Any hints or advice on the best way to hammer out these dents without making it worse???

 

Thanks!

Greg

post-143568-0-48230800-1432568688_thumb.

post-143568-0-60237800-1432568708_thumb.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That is stainless steel. Go to YouTube and watch a couple of stainless steel restoration videos. REMEMBER: WHENEVER POLISHING STAINLESS TRIM, WEAR HEAVY GLOVES AS THE BUFFER/POLISHER WILL TRY TO GRAB THE TRIM OUT OF YOUR HAND. I know a friend in an old car club that was helping her husband polish trim and lost some fingers.

Edited by keiser31 (see edit history)
Link to comment
Share on other sites

A friend of mine restores damaged trim. His main tool is a small hand press, it looks a little like a drill press without the drill. He makes different tools that clamp in the press like a drill in a drill press. Usually made of bumper bolts ground to shape. He carefully presses the stainless from the inside using a block of 2X4 as an anvil. By working slowly and carefully he can work out the dents. You need to be careful, it is easy to push too far. This is why he does not use the hammer and dolly method anymore.

 

Once the dents are out he uses a fine file to remove or minimize scratches and gouges then buffs on a series of ever finer buffing wheels.

 

He can make most pieces look like new but it is not a quick job. The piece you show would take more than an hour . This is why he no longer does this work for customers. No one can comprehend how hard it is to do right, or how long it takes.

Edited by Rusty_OToole (see edit history)
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...