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harrymarlin Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2018 Posts: 723 Location: Washington, DC
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Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 11:44 am Post subject: Chrome vs. Stainless Steel vs. Polished Aluminum |
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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 |
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anthracitedub Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2007 Posts: 3241 Location: Michigan
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Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 2:27 pm Post subject: Re: Chrome vs. Stainless Steel vs. Polished Aluminum |
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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. |
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67conv Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2005 Posts: 386 Location: Simi Valley, California
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Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 2:43 pm Post subject: Re: Chrome vs. Stainless Steel vs. Polished Aluminum |
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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 |
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harrymarlin Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2018 Posts: 723 Location: Washington, DC
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 10:34 am Post subject: Re: Chrome vs. Stainless Steel vs. Polished Aluminum |
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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 |
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67conv Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2005 Posts: 386 Location: Simi Valley, California
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 11:37 am Post subject: Re: Chrome vs. Stainless Steel vs. Polished Aluminum |
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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 |
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57BLITZ Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2012 Posts: 2385 Location: DEEK - U.S.A.
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 12:00 pm Post subject: Re: Chrome vs. Stainless Steel vs. Polished Aluminum |
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harrymarlin wrote: |
2) Magnets did not stick to my hood/bonnet handle - why?
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Not all chrome-plated VW parts were created equal!
For instance, your bumpers are chrome-plated steel . . . magnetic.
Your hood handle is a chrome-plated, die-cast alloy . . . non-magnetic.
From Wikipedia . . . "Most die castings are made from non-ferrous metals, specifically zinc, copper, aluminum, magnesium, lead, pewter, and tin-based alloys".
Another thing to note . . . the "polished aluminum" parts on your '67 are probably clear anodized.
The dull surface you might see on your aluminum parts will NOT shine again until you remove the protective anodizing . . . at that point, the aluminum will oxidize rapidly and will require regular (constant?) care. _________________ Jesucristo es mi Señor y Salvador! |
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far rider Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2005 Posts: 771 Location: Rutland, VT
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Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2018 8:45 am Post subject: Re: Chrome vs. Stainless Steel vs. Polished Aluminum |
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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. |
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harrymarlin Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2018 Posts: 723 Location: Washington, DC
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Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2018 10:11 am Post subject: Re: Chrome vs. Stainless Steel vs. Polished Aluminum |
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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 |
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daven Samba Member
Joined: January 13, 2009 Posts: 351 Location: Dayton OH
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Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2018 10:24 am Post subject: Re: Chrome vs. Stainless Steel vs. Polished Aluminum |
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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 |
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