Guest imported_Dwight V. Posted February 8, 2003 Share Posted February 8, 2003 My truck has aluminum grille and moldings that apparently have an anodized coating on them, and it is all chalky looking. Is there a way to strip and refinish these? The moldings are in good shape otherwise. Reproductions are $500 per set, but it doesn't solve my grille appearance. TIA, Dwight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 8, 2003 Share Posted February 8, 2003 VERY GOOD QUESTIONI have the same problem with my 83 Buick moldings. Was garaged until 3 years ago. Been outside since, and now just starting to show that chalky look. 3 years ago that aluminum looked like brand new factory. I have seen some cars of the same age look absolutely terrible from white chalkiness. Don't want mine to get that bad. It really makes a car look very OLD. Not too bad yet though. As long as does not get worse will be OK. 2nd question added to above. What is the best way to prevent further deterioration of those moldings. Some kind of wax or coating? I assume it would have to be some kind of non abrasive wax or will just remove more of the anodized coating. And no--- I don't have room in my garage. The poor old Buick will have to stay outside. Anyone with any knowledge about this please help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 8, 2003 Share Posted February 8, 2003 I've had the same problem on the Mercedes from the 70's and basically and car that's been over 10 years old. The solution, is a bit different than what you think, though. The anodizing itself is nothing more than a clear crystalline coating deposited on the finished aluminum by soaking it in a bath of weak sulfuric acid and passing the low current DC charge through the item. The aluminum then creates a very thin clear oxide coating. As you already know, aluminum oxide is a very robust abrasive, and attempts by you to get though this coating will prove fruitless. I've read up on this , and already have a nickel, gold and chrome plating setup at home that I have yet to use. No amount of abrasive cleaners will remove the cloudiness. The best you can hope for is a wax or polish that might fill the imperfections. Your best bet is to find a local plater that does clear anodizing. The current coating must be removed and polished, then it can be re-anodized. I'll look in my books to see how to remove it and get back to you . BTW, you can use a car battery and pvc piping for a plating tank with this type as it's a very forgiving process. Hope that helps! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Smeraldo Posted February 9, 2003 Share Posted February 9, 2003 The old coating must be removed and the pieces repolished. I have successivly done this on a small piece of trim by sanding it off. However it is very difficult and time consuming. I bought a chemical from a polishing vendor at Hershey that is supposed to remove the coating but I haven't tried it yet. I think that oven cleaner also works. After polishing, the part must be protected. I just used a good coating of wax it has held up for 1 1/2 years. A clear coating like poly would also work. Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 10, 2003 Share Posted February 10, 2003 I had the same problem with my InterState and Vauxhall.Fortunately I have a good relationship with a local Plater who lets me use his stripping tanks which leaves a nice satin finish so I can either leave it that way {Vauxhall body panels [aluminum]and early Selmer alto sax![brass]} or polish it afterwards {Interstate runningboard diamondplate panels[alum] and Horstman body panels[same]. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest COMPACTBC Posted February 17, 2003 Share Posted February 17, 2003 Hi Dwight: I see you have a '65 Ford F100, me too, so I know exactly what you are talking about re the aluminum trim. Go to www.Bluelighteningproducts.com they have an anodize remover that is slow but does take the stuff off. I used it on my pickup trim and it worked eventually, very slooow, but I am impatient. Polishing it afterwards equally slow and tedious, but looks a lot better. I have a steel grill in my Ford and I had it powder coated (chome/silver color) and it looks really great. I don't know if they can powder coat your aluminum grill or not, but if they can that's the way to go. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_Dwight V. Posted February 17, 2003 Share Posted February 17, 2003 Thanks for the web site, I may have to try that. I have some questions about it's use, maybe you could email me? mxbreed@paonline.com, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted February 17, 2003 Share Posted February 17, 2003 Why not just have it reanodized...not very expensive and they take care of the stripping too...just now having a '58 Caddy grill done...about 60 pieces..look in the yellow pages under "anodizing". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Rohrbach Posted February 17, 2003 Share Posted February 17, 2003 I wonder if an aluminum head could be anodized, so that it would look good for years? Anyone ever had it done? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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