So I've recently acquired some shiny trim. Unfortunately this stuff isn't box fresh as it was removed from an import car and none too delicately.
The result of which is irregular very fine surface hairline scratches, small nicks here and there, nothing crazy and all consistent with the age of the parts.
My question is how do I go about restoring this stuff?
The handbrake trim, mirror cap and shifter surround all seem to be made from Aluminium. Do I just put bondo to fill the scratches/nicks, sand smooth and add a colour coat?
Looks like bare brushed ally finish to me. Have I just purchased a load of junk?
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Is it solid metal, or chrome finished plastic?
Quote from: Carolyn on March 23, 2023, 13:05Is it solid metal, or chrome finished plastic?
Difficult to tell. To my untrained eyes and hands it appears solid aly.
Ok at the very least, this handbrake piece is single milled metal. Its heft suggests maybe it isn't aly.
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The other pieces also feel solid metal.
Then get them to a local polisher. They should come up well.
Hope so. I guess subconsciously I didn't want to remove so much material that the dents come out. One or two nasty ones are particularly deep, lord knows how much metal needs shaving off all round until the dents disappear.
Leave it to the polisher's judgement.
My understanding:
Unfinished aluminium (alloy) will oxidise in a similar way to iron/ steel, but the aluminium oxidisation can form a semi protective coat subject to the environmental conditions, which, if adverse, will continue the oxidisation as with rust..
Your "decorative" aluminium (alloy) will have been anodised or perhaps lacquered to prevent the oxidisation.
A more informed understanding:
https://www.kloecknermetals.com/blog/aluminum-oxidation-is-aluminum-corrosion-resistant/
That's excellent. I'll look at getting the things polished up like
@Carolyn suggests then maybe a powdercoat / anodised finished whichever is cheaper.
Looks like I can do the anodising at home (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2RKze7baJw&ab_channel=TheRecreationalMachinist) but there is a quite the setup needed.
Just get them professionally anodised. The polisher will know where.