Chrome vs. Stainless Steel vs. Polished Aluminum

[harrymarlin]

All,

I'm investigating techniques to bring shine back to the shiney parts of my '67 convertible, but I'm having some trouble determining which parts of my car are chrome, stainless steel, or polished aluminum. I created a list, below, and I'm hoping someone here might help me by either identifying what is what, or identifying a way for me to tell.

My basic testing has revolved around the fact that most stainless steel and all aluminum are non-magnetic, whereas, most chrome is put over a metal which is magnetic. So, if my magnet sticks to something, it's probably chrome. This test may have failed in some specific circumstances:

1) Magnets stick to my gravel guards, most likely because they are thin, and there is a nice big fender behind them
2) Magnets did not stick to my hood/bonnet handle - why?
3) Magnets did not stick to my door handles (outside), but did stick to the key hole
4) Magnets did not stick to my side mirror (but did to the base)
5) Did the magnets stick to my trim because there was large metal right behind it?

My inventory on possible shiney parts of my car is below. Perhaps someone could help by putting a notation next to things which are chrome?

Shiney items:

Door trim
Back panel trim
Front panel trim
Hood center trim
Hood emblem
Front bumper
Rear bumper
Side mirror base
Side mirror
Antenna base
Antenna
Script back engine cover
Hub caps
Dash trim (3 piece)
Front hold grill (2 piece)
Running board side (each side)
Front window molding/frame
Side vent window molding/frame
Side window molding/frame
Back window molding
Front window molding
Side scrapers (4)
Glove box lock
Hood lock
Ignition lock
Hood handle
Engine cover latch
Front/rear turn signal covers
Rear window molding
Side gravel guards (2)
Door edge guards
Convertible top latches
Convertible top handles
Rearview mirror base
Rearview mirror
Interior door handles
Interior window cranks
Interior ash trays

-Harry Marlin

[anthracitedub]

Wow, you have a lot of time on your hands. I can only recommend a polishing paste that can polish most surfaces... including plastics and enamels. The product I like is called Maas, it is a metal polish but I’ve used it on plastics and painted surfaces... seems to do really good.

[67conv]

These items from your list are chrome plated...
Front and rear bumpers, side mirror base, hub caps, side, quarter and vent window frames only, hood lock, fronts only t.s. covers, top latches and catches,handles, their mounting screws, rear view mirror base, inside window winders, rear ashtray, inside door pull and surround, plus not mentioned are the top trim over rear window (early 67) and top base surrounding trim at rear. You didn't mention horn ring, headlight bezels, backup lights cases. Hope it helps, most everything else is bright anodized aluminum you mentioned.
_________________
1967 VW Convertible, owned /driven /pampered for 34 years.
1957 DKW 3=6, owned /driven /risen from the dead for 20 years.

Previously owned: 72 "Baja Champion SE" Spec. Edition Super Beetle bought NEW; 79 Convertible bought NEW; 67 type 1 savanna beige; 67 2.0 911S; 73 2.4 911T; 63 356 T6 B Cabriolet; 64 356 SC sunroof coupe; 72 Type-3 Squareback; 68 + 69 Type-3 Fastbacks; 87 Vanagon GL Wasserboxer

[harrymarlin]

OK, so what I have is below. I'm not positive about the "?" (based on the previous response and my own research). Can anyone clear those up? Thanks! (CH=Chrome, SS= Stainless Steel, AL=Aluminum)

AL Door trim 
AL Back panel trim 
AL Front panel trim 
AL Hood center trim 
CH? Hood emblem 
CH Front bumper 
CH Rear bumper 
CH Side mirror base
SS Side mirror 
SS? Antenna base 
SS? Antenna 
CH? Script back engine cover 
CH Hub caps 
AL Dash trim (3 piece) 
CH? Front hold grill (2 piece) 
AL Running board side (each side) 
AL Front window molding/frame 
CH Side vent window frame 
CH Side window frame 
CH Quarter window frame
AL Side vent window molding
AL Side window molding
AL Quarter window molding
AL Front window molding 
CH? Glove box lock 
CH Hood lock 
CH? Ignition 
SS Hood handle 
CH? Engine cover latch 
CH Front turn signal covers 
AL Rear turn signal covers
AL Rear window molding 
AL Side gravel guards (2) 
AL Door edge guards 
CH Convertible top base trim
CH Convertible top trip
CH Convertible top latches 
CH Convertible top catches
CH Convertible top handles 
CH Convertible top handles screws
CH Rearview mirror base 
CH Interior door handles (and surround)
CH Interior window winders 
CH Interior ash trays
CH Horn ring
CH Headlight bezels
CH Backup light cases
CH Front seatbelt clamp

[67conv]

Hood emblem alum., engine cover script alum., 2 small oval grills front alum., ign, and glove box lock chrome, ant. base will depend on which antenna - usually chrome, antenna mast usually not chrome with exception of some Hirschmann variants.
_________________
1967 VW Convertible, owned /driven /pampered for 34 years.
1957 DKW 3=6, owned /driven /risen from the dead for 20 years.

Previously owned: 72 "Baja Champion SE" Spec. Edition Super Beetle bought NEW; 79 Convertible bought NEW; 67 type 1 savanna beige; 67 2.0 911S; 73 2.4 911T; 63 356 T6 B Cabriolet; 64 356 SC sunroof coupe; 72 Type-3 Squareback; 68 + 69 Type-3 Fastbacks; 87 Vanagon GL Wasserboxer

[57BLITZ]

[far rider]

Dont forget those gas tank clamps Sorry. Its winter , got bored. This is just from a quick run thru the buffer.

_________________
67 zenith blue sunroof

Contentment; when what you have is what you want.

[harrymarlin]

Wow - thanks for the wealth of knowledge! OK - so, if I want to shine something up, how do I know if I should rechrome, attempt to remove anodize, or just put the polishing cloth to it?

It sounds as though each type of shine may look *very* similar to the others - how do I know how to treat them?

Thanks, 67conv, far rider, 57BLITZ, and anthracitedub!

-Harry

[daven]

An item I have found to be really good at cleaning up chrome, anodized aluminum (be very gentle) and misc. is brass wool. Brass is not as hard as steel wool so a lot less scratching and the reside does not cause rust spots.
Dave