Is there a method to polish exterior trim pieces?

[wareaglescott]

Not sure what the right term would be or what to search for this.

I am redoing my 79 SC. The exterior trim pieces are in decent condition. Certainly not great and I would like them to look better.

Here is a door handle and you can see the fine scratches on the surface. Wondering if there is a method to clean those up and also on the chromed window trim? Short of sending them off for a full redo or getting replacements is there some DIY technique or product I can use to freshen these up? I have zero experience with any metal polishing of any sort so any advice is appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[964TargaC2]

a little goes a long way (made in Germany )

[tirwin]

Try Mother’s or Blue Magic polish. I used both on my polished Fuchs. Mother’s worked a little better. Just make sure you read on the label what types of metals it works on.

[tirwin]

Also look at a metal polishing wheel attachment for a bench grinder if you have one.

[cabmandone]

Jewelers rouge and a buffing wheel.

[Solamar]

I just had my handles re-chromed (78 SC), they were in much worse shape than yours, think it was about $175 for the pair. Surprised your '79 has chrome handles, I though '78 was the end of them.

Also, as said above, a buffing wheel and some rouge will probably get yours looking pretty good.

Looking forward to seeing your car come out of paint!

[wareaglescott]

Is it easy to go to far and mess them up with a buffing wheel?

I am on the fence on polishing what I have or swapping all the trim over to black. Interesting thought Solamar on your thought that '78 was the last year of chrome. I have never considered that and my car is a far departure from stock configuration so I dont really care which is correct. The car had a color change already once in the past so it very likely could have had different trim added then.

[mepstein]

If you are concerned about using a buffing wheel, It’s almost impossible to mess it up if you polish by hand.

[Mark Salvetti]

Originally Posted by wareaglescott

Is it easy to go to far and mess them up with a buffing wheel?

I am on the fence on polishing what I have or swapping all the trim over to black. Interesting thought Solamar on your thought that '78 was the last year of chrome. I have never considered that and my car is a far departure from stock configuration so I dont really care which is correct. The car had a color change already once in the past so it very likely could have had different trim added then.

Mine is a 1979, and it also has chrome door handles and window trim.

BTW Scott, I'm sorry I never sent you the fuel line photos you requested. You're probably way past that point? I haven't worked on my car in months, it's very frustrating. Always something else.

Mark

[wareaglescott]

Thanks everyone.

BTW the previous owner reached out to me and mentioned the car is a late 78 build but a 79 model year car and indicated that is why it has the chrome trim.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by wareaglescott

Is it easy to go to far and mess them up with a buffing wheel?

I used an air die grinder with a buffing wheel to do my Fuchs. The big thing is choosing the right rouge for the job.