Polished aluminum trim, how to protect it?

[vulcan300]

I decided that I wanted to give my car, 86 Targa, a bit more bling and so I'm having all the trim painted or polished. Some pieces, like the trim under the rear window seal, quarter window frames and door handles are getting chromed while the Targa bar cover is getting a mirror polish. The front and rear window trim, the door top trim and the engine grill cover are aluminum and they are getting mirror polish as well. I'm assuming I don't have much to do to protect the Stainless and Chrome, although I'm open to suggestions. The aluminum has me worried. Is electroplating a must? Or can I use a clearcoat? Perhaps a clear powder coat? Can anyone suggest a good product to use?

Here's a picture of the engine grill cover that I am going to use. I've stripped the black paint off the top of the each aluminum slat and will be polishing the aluminum before sealing it. The other pieces haven't come pack from the polishing shop so I'll post pics of those later.

This is half way through stripping the paint



And completely stripped

[tharbert]

Polished aluminum can be sealed with clear lacquer, acrylic or urethane.

[vulcan300]

Would clear lacquer out of a rattle can do the trick? Are there any brands/types of paint that you'd recommend? And finally would I want to bake the finish to harden it?

[RoninLB]

i run polished fuchs because if they were cleared any chip would become an eye sore quickly

i live on a sandbar and the best for me is a product called Zoop Seal

[vulcan300]

I'll check out Zoop Seal. I've found the following product from Australia called "Like Armour" clear lacquer. I'm going to try and get my hands on a small quantity of the Ultraviolet safe version and then bake it on, assuming I can find a large enough oven. I'm not that concerned about chipping on the trim pieces so I think this product may work well. I'd like to avoid the need to re-apply the product.

Applied Research of Australia Pty Ltd - Products like Armour Lacquer

J

[Bob Kontak]

I would suggest searching these forums for what other's have done. Also call a local paint jobber and ask them.

I would be afraid to use clear lacquer in a can. Just not strong enough and it may yellow. Not sure about urethane or acrylic but I do think they are a little tougher.

[mrm930]

Lacquer out of a can will not work. It will break down under UV. You need to use an automotive clear coat(urethane). These are designed for metal - cans - not so much. I own a manufacturing company and we have been using lacquer and urethane for 30 years. Granted what we fabricate is high end furniture and cabinetry, however we use metal in our designs - especially aluminum. After cleaning and polishing we spray the urethane clear coat. Easy to control and you don't get a thick build-up. Clear powder coating is good for some parts but window trim I would use the urethane.

Good luck

[Jim Richards]

it get's kind of hot there, so keep that in mind when you select something to seal with.

[vulcan300]

I want to keep the aluminum as close t chrome in terms of gloss as possile which is why I'm trying to stay away from anodizing and clear powder coat as I've read that they dull the finish. A mix of bright chrome and dull anodized aluminum wouldn't look too good. Especially on the door tops. The UV proof "Like Armour" product is sounding like a pretty good option so far. Especially since I can bake it for higher durability.

What about a bright dip anodizing process? Would this be an option?

[Albuquerque]

Hi.
I'm going to strip my black painted deck grill too. How have you protected the "rear web grill" so it could stay black?
Thanks.

José

[Jim Garfield]

Gibbs oil keeps the aluminum from oxidizing and is easy to re-apply as necesary (every 6 mo. or so). Works good on the Airstream too! Any coating is going to fail eventually, clear coat faster than most.

[shahram]

I would use zoopseal on parts like that ot polished rims:

ZoopSeal Aluminim Sealer

[ghamilton]

NFI, but I just have liked all the products I have used from Eastwood. I have not used this product:

Sharkhide aluminum sealer and protectant