Chrome Polishing -belt line deluxe trim-

[Jung Restoration]

I have been polishing my og '67 deluxe belt-line trim for quite a while now, I'm making progress but it's taking a long time. I'm using Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish...wiping some on till it turns black, and then using a clean terry cloth to whipe it off.

Is there an easier way to do this? Like a buffing wheel, or a hand tool? Let me know what you use....I do have a wire/sharpening wheel in my shop, should I go buy a buffing wheel for it?

The pieces are definately shining up, but it's taking a lot of time. I do like the satisfaction of cleaning them, but can it be done quicker?

Also, any other polish work better?
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Wanted : January '57 Palm Green Sand Green Bus Parts - Middle and Rear Seat Frames - flat back. I have original seat covers but would consider covered frames.
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Jung Restoration - Jung is my last name and restoration is what I do for work. I restore antique windows and doors here in the Northeast. Check out my site www.antiquewindowrestoration.com

[a-train]

I tried it your way first as well, but it was too much work and I wasn't getting the desired results. I took off the trim and used a buffing wheel with a buffing compound. Much much better. Be careful not to bend your trim though, especially the long passenger side piece. You can screw it down to a 2x4 to keep it straight.

Good luck, either way it takes some work, but much easier with a wheel.
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I like VWs

[Andrew]

As far as other polishes, I'd definitely recommend you trying one called Wenol. I've done maybe 1/3 of the trim on my bus, and it's awesome. I haven't gotten around to doing the rest yet (read: been too lazy).
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-Andrew

[Riff Raff]

Mothers works just fine.
I took mine off and rubbed it down with 000 steel wool to get the worst of the oxidation off. then have at it with the Mothers, it comes up to a mirror finish.
It sounds like you may be wiping off the polish too soon, Once the polish is on, you can rub it until it is all absorbed in the cloth, then wipe it down with a clean cloth.
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The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance, but the illusion of knowledge
- Daniel Boorstin

[aah57]

I've been using steel wool and then never dull by eagle one and is working great!
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Looking for white cabinets for a '61 camper

Need westy parts so-34 and so-22!

[Jung Restoration]

I'm going to try the 000 steel wool, and then hitting it up with the Mother's. The 000 steel wool won't sctatch up the crome?

It's funny, the only piece that I haven't started to polish yet is the long drivers side piece. All the sections are removed, and I've had success using one inch screws to secure them to a 2 X 6 with a thinner piece of wood screwed to that.

[Karl]

Unless someone chrome plated it, it is aluminum trim.....

[Jung Restoration]

Well, I just took some #000 steel wool to it, and rubbed on some Mother's polish. Absolutely incredible! The steel wool takes off the decades of oxidation, then the Mothers shines it up. Sweet!! I was spending way too much time trying to polish it instead of removing the heavy oxidation first and then using the Mother's polish.

Thank you Riff Raff for the #000 steel wool tip, it's going to save me so much time. What do I owe thee?

I think I'm going to go back and steel wool/polish all of my other pieces too!
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Wanted : January '57 Palm Green Sand Green Bus Parts - Middle and Rear Seat Frames - flat back. I have original seat covers but would consider covered frames.
-------------------------------------------------------
Jung Restoration - Jung is my last name and restoration is what I do for work. I restore antique windows and doors here in the Northeast. Check out my site www.antiquewindowrestoration.com

[Riff Raff]

[crofty]

When i did the windows in my westy I wet sanded them with 600 then 1500, then 000 steel wool with polish and then again with a rag. It worked great.
I used the sandpaper because it took all the oxidation and most , if not all, of the pits out as well.
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Your Vanagon sucks, Stop waving at me.

[LHG]

What about 0000 steel wool I use that on old chrome to.
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Brian O'Kelly
Central Coast Chapter, CA - Vintage Volkswagen Club of America
www.centralcoastvwclub.com
www.facebook.com/groups/vintagevwclub/

[j.pickens]

Someone else (campingbox?) mentioned screwing the trim down to a wooden block to hold it for polishing, and that was a great suggestion.
I recently did the deluxe trim spears for the rockers on my bus, and I just screwed them to a workbench and went nuts with the polishing wheels. Saved me a bunch of time.
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Founder and Chairman Emeritus, ECMSAS
BBX BBXII and BBXXI Long Distance Award Winner

[Dave24]

Said it before, and I'll say it again, SIMICHROME. German, works, worth EVERY PENNY!!!!! Been using it for 30 years.

[Jerry J]

[Spitty1974]

Anyone have suggestions for what grit sandpaper to start with for trim that is heavily oxidized? I read several of the threads on polishing deluxe trim, but couldn't find much on sand paper grit, most folks talk about steel wool.

I know Crofty mentioned he used 600 grit and then jumped to 1500 grit before polish on this thread.

I have some beltline trim that is really oxidized, I tried steel wool and it did not get everything out. There are still some oxidation and shallow pit marks here and there. And, the little section I used steel wool on took forever, so I need something that will work better....I'm thinking sandpaper.

I can't seem to find a good answer of where to start in terms of a grit number.

I wasn't sure if I should start with something high like 3000, or if that is going to be too soft and not clear off the marks? Or, should I start with 600 and work up from there? I wasn't sure if that coarse of a grit would cause undue scratches and mess the trim up more.

Basically, what is a good grit to start with, and where to go from there before polish?

Any info you can pass my way is greatly appreciated.

[easy e]

I respect Crofty's opinion.
Try what he said.
If you're afraid of insurmountable damage... try it on a small scale to see how it goes.
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aka: Evan
Spreadsheet for Bus RPM, based on gearing & tire size (Excel format)
Searchable, click-navigable 1958 Bus Parts List

[Skim]

I used 0000 fine steel wool to remove the old built up oxidization then Mothers mag polish on a cotton buffing wheel attached to an electric drill. Then clean off the residue with a clean micro fiber cloth. I preferred doing mine on the bus because it never seems to stay looking straight once you pull it off the bus. Looks wavy after pulling it off and screwing it back on.
I used 2" wide painters masking tape to protect the paint.

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GFK
Samba since before the towers collapsed. Still here.
1953 Kabriolet
1954 Sunroof
1959 Lowlight Ghia vert
1960 Lt Grey Double Cab SMZ LEGIT
1963 Deluxe Turkis Walk Thru 15 Window OG Paint

[Stocknazi]

[RWK]

scotch brite pads work well on aluminum wont load up like sand paper, easy to handle also, think there are 3 or so grits I wuse the maroon colored ones, grey are extra fine
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73 Type 181
63 Type 113
63 Type 261- 428 071
62 Type 241-378 025 178 530

[Stocknazi]