Leif in Calif Posted May 1 Share Posted May 1 The window surrounds on my car were so bad (see picture) that I really wasn't sure what the original finish was. Today, just as an experiment, I attacked them with some 00 steel wool and elbow grease. I was shocked to see a shine start to emerge! Does anyone have a better method? Car is a 1951 Simca 8 Sport that sat in a field for several decades. Very rare, but not valuable. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy J Posted May 1 Share Posted May 1 I have had good results with lacquer thinner with a vigorous rub down. My stainless had many years of normal weather exposure,I guess just dirt,tree sap,birds,acid rain,just anything in the atmosphere.Of course,you will get better results if you can take it off the car and polish/buff it.I have a HF buffer/grinder that I use.It is a slow process,but with the correct buffing wheel and compound and plenty of time,you can make it look like new. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted May 1 Share Posted May 1 I’ve used the 0000 stainless steel pad with a generous spray of Windex window cleaner on the pad and it comes out looking pretty good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate Dort Posted May 1 Share Posted May 1 Are you sure that's not plated? From the photo, it looks like it was rubbed down to the copper base layer under the plating. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leif in Calif Posted May 1 Author Share Posted May 1 10 minutes ago, Nate Dort said: Are you sure that's not plated? From the photo, it looks like it was rubbed down to the copper base layer under the plating. I'm not sure of much! There is quite a bit of stainless other places on the car, and these widow surrounds aren't magnetic. Those blotches in the photo of the dirty piece turned out to paint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
61polara Posted May 2 Share Posted May 2 Is it possibly aluminum? If so, clean it and spray a clear coat over it or you will need to polish it again in a few days. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littlestown Mike Posted May 2 Share Posted May 2 Assuming they are stainless steel----One of the great things about stainless is that it can almost always be brought back. I have taken some really bashed-up pieces ( lower fender shield that looked like someone hit it with a baseball bat) and slowly beat them back into shape, then used a file to locate highs and lows and beat a little more, then filed to shape and polished with various grades of compound and wheels. It is a time-consuming process, but SS can ne made to look like the day it came out of the factory. 5 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTR Posted May 2 Share Posted May 2 14 hours ago, 61polara said: Is it possibly aluminum? I agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leif in Calif Posted May 4 Author Share Posted May 4 On 5/1/2024 at 2:47 PM, Nate Dort said: Are you sure that's not plated? From the photo, it looks like it was rubbed down to the copper base layer under the plating. Apparently they are actually plated brass! Seems a strange application for this metal, but I suppose in France in 1950, it made sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph P. Indusi Posted May 5 Share Posted May 5 Whatever these are made of if they are near safety glass do not use acetone or any similar cleaner as it will cause the glass to delaminate. Just try a metal or car paint cleaner until you obtain good results. Joe, BCA 33493 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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