Cleaning/polishing stainless?

[speeder]

Anyone have tips for polishing SS trim on cars? I've never figured out what to use and my old Mercedes-Benz cars have a lot of polished stainless that gets scratched and/or dull and water marked.

Here is an example and TIA as always:

[blucille]

seems common, common enough that the guys over at Mercedes source dot com have a few specialized products to help, and some great videos on best techniques.

Truth is, any polishing compound, like flitz or semichrome will do great, but since these videos are focused on your car, you might as well check it out

https://mercedessource.com/store/anodized-aluminum-window-trim-polish-restoration-kit-w-power-tool

YouTube channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL29B5287FABFC0A96

[Shaun @ Tru6]

that looks like anodized aluminum that has been washed for decades with a high pH soap

[serene911]

I've always had good success with a semi chrome polish like Wenol or Nevr-Dull wadding
polish, Mothers, mag & aluminum polish is also good for all metals. Wenol is usually my
go to, but all of the above are good.

[908/930]

I also think that is anodized aluminium.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Your best bet is to remove it, bring it to an anodizer that has chromic acid, have them strip the anodizing, then you will have bare aluminum in nearly it's original finish. Then you can decide how much work you want to put into restoring any scratches, pitting, etc. Huge rabbit hole for something like an old Mercedes.

Easiest best way to go for "nice" trim is to strip it, polish it, and clear it with Cerakote MC-5100. Put it back on.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

that looks like anodized aluminum that has been washed for decades with a high pH soap

Originally Posted by 908/930

I also think that is anodized aluminium.

I think that you guys are correct. My w116 def has polished stainless on it but this trim is on a w123 coupe and very well may be anodized.

Originally Posted by serene911

I've always had good success with a semi chrome polish like Wenol or Nevr-Dull wadding
polish, Mothers, mag & aluminum polish is also good for all metals. Wenol is usually my
go to, but all of the above are good.

I have Semichrome polish but haven't tried it on this. Anodized is different from raw aluminum or chrome. Thanks for the replies!

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Your best bet is to remove it, bring it to an anodizer that has chromic acid, have them strip the anodizing, then you will have bare aluminum in nearly it's original finish. Then you can decide how much work you want to put into restoring any scratches, pitting, etc. Huge rabbit hole for something like an old Mercedes.

Easiest best way to go for "nice" trim is to strip it, polish it, and clear it with Cerakote MC-5100. Put it back on.

Thanks and I agree. Is there a way to clean it up as it is or is that a completely lost cause?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Anodized aluminum is aluminum oxide, used as sandpaper, blasting media, etc. It is extremely hard. It's not worth putting any effort into cleaning it up.

Strip it, only with chromic acid, polish it, clear it.

When I restore window frames, they are stripped, I start at 400 to remove pits, scars, scratches and go to 3000 and then polish and then anodize.

For you, if you really want, start at 1000 and go to 2000 and polish. Note that I have buffers and pneumatic micro sanders with foam heads to get a proper shine so take that into consideration if sandpaper ever hits the frames. Another way to put it, strip and polish and see if you like it. If you do, then clear. If you don't, plan on a lot of sanding.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Given the pics, they look clean so I'd go the polish route.

[speeder]

Thanks. I remember way back when I had my Fuchs restored for my 911SC, I wanted factory finish so I think that they were stripped, mirror polished and then re-anodized. I never regretted that decision.

[Dixie]

It also removes that hard water film from windshields