TheSamba.com :: View topic - Polishing the deluxe belt trims and lower spears

Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:22 am

Can anyone suggest what best product to use for cleaning and polishing my old aluminum trims/spears? I needed to take the grime and oxidation out so it can buff out to a shine again.

Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:24 am

Aluminum polish :wink:

Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:36 am

If it's not too messed up, I normally use #0000 steel wool, followed by some metal polish. I've been using NevrDull for the polishing.

I've also used my 3M Perfect-It II paint compound, before the NevrDull or instead of the steel wool but that's usually if there is very little surface stuff.

Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:42 am

Simichrome. It's made in Germany by Happich/GHE. Best stuff i've found to polish just about anything metal.
50 gram tube product number: 390050. comes in larger containers too. not inexpensive, but it works excellently. a little goes a long way.

Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:58 am

^^^ I've heard that too but keep forgetting to buy some.

Is there a regular store you can buy it at for a good price or should I hit up online sources?

Sat Oct 18, 2008 10:22 am

EverettB wrote: ^^^ I've heard that too but keep forgetting to buy some.

Is there a regular store you can buy it at for a good price or should I hit up online sources?

I've looked in stores but had no luck. I ended up ordering it from Wolfsburg West.

Sat Oct 18, 2008 10:27 am

i've found Simichrome at Napa, some Ace Hardware stores, some local auto parts stores. if you google simichrome, you will have no problems finding it online.

Sat Oct 18, 2008 12:23 pm

Belcom Alu
Its not cheap, but works a treat !!
Try Ebay :D

Sat Oct 18, 2008 1:24 pm

I used fine steel wool, followed by rouge and buffing wheel on a bench grinder, followed by Mother's Mag & aluminum polish. Got that shit to shine like a mirror! Works great for all the metal parts as well (rear view, jailbars, pop-out latches, etc.)

Simichrome can also be found at some better bicycle shops, but I found that it didn't work as well for me as the Mother's.

Sat Oct 18, 2008 7:38 pm

bushaus wrote: I used fine steel wool, followed by rouge and buffing wheel on a bench grinder,

I went the same route as bushaus, steel wool and hit the buffing wheel with rouge. It looks better than chrome!

Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:45 pm

hazetguy wrote: Simichrome. It's made in Germany by Happich/GHE. Best stuff i've found to polish just about anything metal.
50 gram tube product number: 390050. comes in larger containers too. not inexpensive, but it works excellently. a little goes a long way.

Grabbed a tube of this off eBay. Worked great on some bumper trim I have.

I tried it on some trim rings and it didn't do much but I believe those are sealed as the cloth did not change color.

Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:50 pm

EverettB wrote: hazetguy wrote: Simichrome. It's made in Germany by Happich/GHE. Best stuff i've found to polish just about anything metal.
50 gram tube product number: 390050. comes in larger containers too. not inexpensive, but it works excellently. a little goes a long way.

Grabbed a tube of this off eBay. Worked great on some bumper trim I have.

I tried it on some trim rings and it didn't do much but I believe those are sealed as the cloth did not change color.

I think the 15" trim rings are plated and not just polished aluminum.

Thu Oct 30, 2008 7:55 pm

campingbox wrote: EverettB wrote: hazetguy wrote: Simichrome. It's made in Germany by Happich/GHE. Best stuff i've found to polish just about anything metal.
50 gram tube product number: 390050. comes in larger containers too. not inexpensive, but it works excellently. a little goes a long way.

Grabbed a tube of this off eBay. Worked great on some bumper trim I have.

I tried it on some trim rings and it didn't do much but I believe those are sealed as the cloth did not change color.

I think the 15" trim rings are plated and not just polished aluminum.

That is correct ...The 14" & 15" trim rings are clear anodized as are the interior panel strips. You cannot polish them as you would usual aluminum . It is best to have a shop restore them and have them re-anodized. This can cost $40 to 125 depending on condition... that is the quote I got .
They should look like NOS when done properly!

Fri Apr 06, 2012 5:23 pm

Hi,
I just looked at the various posts on new reproduction beltline trim, versus the original.

I need to buy a complete set of belt trim for my 1966 bus. Evidently, the place where my bus was stored for several years (trucking yard in Stockton) someone nabbed it off one night.

Originally, I had thought I would buy a new set from WW. However, after reading some posts, I am going to try and find a complete set used.

What can I expect to pay for an original complete set for the beltline trim? If you would rather not tell me in the form, an inbox message is appreciated. I know how pricey a complete set through WW is going for.

Also, does anyone have any before polishing and after polishing photos of your trim?

I will have to wait until the Kelly Park show to actually look and see if I can tell the difference between the original trim versus the reproduction. A bunch of members were bagging on the reproduction trim on another post, but they did not include any photos for comparison.

Does anyone know if the reproduction trim is identical in terms of design (size, thickness, metal)?

Thanks,
Spittyy

Fri Apr 06, 2012 5:36 pm

I can't really answer the pricing other than to say watch the classifieds for ads and check the pricing.

Here's a before and after pic I posted some time ago from a quickie polish of some bumper trim:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=330064

Fri Apr 06, 2012 7:55 pm

I've got only one opinion on the repro trim: Instant gratification.
If you need a set but can be a little patient- (and have the means)- there are people with complete sets and plenty of partial originals here.

With many parts (taillights, horn buttons, etc.) I've suggested buying the repro- while patiently waiting for the ideal original to pop up. This could be expensive advice with a trim set- so be ready if that's the route to take- but at least you get screws into all of the bus' 92 holes.

I also believe the repro sets belong on freshly painted, super clean buses. I like the age of trim to more or less match the age of the vehicle.

Fri Apr 13, 2012 10:26 am

Ok, so I have yet another question about the beltline trim. The trim on my bus was bagged by some low life when it was stored by the previous owner in a truck yard.

From what I understand, the reproduction beltline trim will need to have the holes drilled? I would match the trim up with the current holes that are on my bus already?

Also, were the holes on the body universal, done by some sort of jig at the factory? Or, did they just get drilled by eye?

I was wondering if I buy a used set of trim for my bus, if the holes in the trim will match the holes currently on my bus? I'm thinking it is not universal, but I thought I would ask, as I have nothing to compare at this time, no trim, no extra bus with trim.

Thank you for the response and knowledge.
Spitty

Fri Apr 13, 2012 11:40 am

Spitty1974 wrote: Ok, so I have yet another question about the beltline trim. The trim on my bus was bagged by some low life when it was stored by the previous owner in a truck yard.

From what I understand, the reproduction beltline trim will need to have the holes drilled? I would match the trim up with the current holes that are on my bus already?

Also, were the holes on the body universal, done by some sort of jig at the factory? Or, did they just get drilled by eye?

I was wondering if I buy a used set of trim for my bus, if the holes in the trim will match the holes currently on my bus? I'm thinking it is not universal, but I thought I would ask, as I have nothing to compare at this time, no trim, no extra bus with trim.

Thank you for the response and knowledge.
Spitty

I have direct, personal experience with this. My 67 deluxe came without trim and the PO had welded up all the holes. I bought a complete set of used trim and here's what I found.

Since the bus was stripped of interior, I could see where the old holes were from the inside. The used, long trim pieces, on both sides, matched up with the old holes perfectly, something I didn't expect, so I drilled through the existing holes in the trim and it matched the patched holes in the sheet metal. Same for the holes on the front doors. The nose trim was off by about 1/4" on each hole, so I drilled new holes into the sheet metal since the old ones were already sealed. The tail gate was completely off so I drilled new holes in the sheet metal there also. Cargo doors were replacements, I think, because there were no old holes that had been sealed. Rockers were just re-drilled.

If your old holes are still there, I would opt to drill the trim rather than the sheet metal, but you might find some, or all, of the trim matches the old holes, as did mine. Could be coincidence or maybe luck, but most all of my used trim did match up.

Fri Apr 13, 2012 3:00 pm

olliehank47 wrote: Spitty1974 wrote: Ok, so I have yet another question about the beltline trim. The trim on my bus was bagged by some low life when it was stored by the previous owner in a truck yard.

From what I understand, the reproduction beltline trim will need to have the holes drilled? I would match the trim up with the current holes that are on my bus already?

Also, were the holes on the body universal, done by some sort of jig at the factory? Or, did they just get drilled by eye?

I was wondering if I buy a used set of trim for my bus, if the holes in the trim will match the holes currently on my bus? I'm thinking it is not universal, but I thought I would ask, as I have nothing to compare at this time, no trim, no extra bus with trim.

Thank you for the response and knowledge.
Spitty

I have direct, personal experience with this. My 67 deluxe came without trim and the PO had welded up all the holes. I bought a complete set of used trim and here's what I found.

Since the bus was stripped of interior, I could see where the old holes were from the inside. The used, long trim pieces, on both sides, matched up with the old holes perfectly, something I didn't expect, so I drilled through the existing holes in the trim and it matched the patched holes in the sheet metal. Same for the holes on the front doors. The nose trim was off by about 1/4" on each hole, so I drilled new holes into the sheet metal since the old ones were already sealed. The tail gate was completely off so I drilled new holes in the sheet metal there also. Cargo doors were replacements, I think, because there were no old holes that had been sealed. Rockers were just re-drilled.

If your old holes are still there, I would opt to drill the trim rather than the sheet metal, but you might find some, or all, of the trim matches the old holes, as did mine. Could be coincidence or maybe luck, but most all of my used trim did match up.

Olliehank,
Thank you for the information. My bus has all of the original holes for the trim, nothing has been filled.

I am looking to find a nice used set if the price is right. It is good to know that it may work with the existing holes and if not I will take the advice and drill new holes in the trim and not the body, makes good sense to me.

If I can not find a nice complete set in the classified section over the next year, I may opt to just buy a reproduction set from WW. I am hoping I can find a nice set that is complete that will buff up nicely. I know I can buy a piece here or there at a time, but I think I would just like to buy it all at once and fit it to the bus and buff it out all at once.

Thanks for the info and insight.
Spitty

Fri Apr 13, 2012 4:17 pm

Anyone have any pics of a OG set next to a repo set?