Does anyone have a good idea for an aluminum polish? I've got the grill out of my 62 and now would be the time to make it look good. I don't want to go crazy but would like to make it better than it is.
Thanks.
Joe

That grille (and other exterior stamped-aluminum trim) isn't bare aluminum that can be polished. It's brite-dip anodised aluminum. If you attempt to polish it with anything aggressive enough to bring dull raw aluminum up to a shine, you'll (finish) eat(ing) away the anodised layer and the base aluminum will corrode very much more severely, very much more quickly. Pieces like this can be re-anodised — there are several outfits that do this kind of restoration — or if you think it will be less work (it won't) you can try to polish off the anodised layer evenly, try and polish up the base aluminum, then apply a good clear coat (Nyalic) to preserve it that way.

Alternatively, you could spray the grille satin black and go for the Signet look.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

That's why the headlight trim took so much to shine!! Now I understand!!
I like what you did to you're grill but don't think mine would look that good. I'll do some research on Signets, I'm not getting a visual. I got one of those Eastwood kits when I was polishing stainless hub caps, it would work but the grill would be a serious pain in the butt to do. Flat black is sounding better all the time.
Thanks again Dan, put the big Gold Star on you're forehead, you've been a major help.
Joe

Dan, I really like that Signet grill. I think I'm going to try and be fancy and do the inner part of the headlight rings flat as well. We'll see how good my masking talents are.
Also Eastwood has their own name for Nyalic. It's called Diamond Clear.
Thanks.
Joe

No, the markup meisters at Eastwood do not have their own name for Nyalic. Eastwood have their own knockoff of Nyalic. It is not the same, it is not as good, and it is not even remotely comparable. Eastwood used to sell Nyalic, then they tried to pull a Wal-Mart by demanding unrealistically low prices from the Nyalic people, who held their ground, so Eastwood discontinued Nyalic and started hawking their knockoff stuff.

I can't remember the last time I bought anything from Eastwood. Most of what they sell is available from the actual source (or a less self-impressed vendor) for much less money, and often in better quality.

The black paint you need isn't flat, it's semi-flat/semi-gloss/satin. Use Sem-Trim Semi-Flat Black or Krylon Satin(? might be called semi-gloss or semi-flat) black.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Thanks Dan, you caught me in the nick of time. I was about to order some from Eastwood. You kind of changed the way I'm looking at them. Time to do more research on where to find the real stuff.
The oven cleaner works great!!! I'm seeing parts of my motor that I haven't seen before. With any kind of luck I'll be able to squirt some paint early next week.
Thanks.
Joe

Joe,

After rinsing the oven cleaner off, make sure to sprits the surface with vinegar using a spray bottle to neutralize it. Than follow directions on paint can for proper surface preparation.

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

Thank you. You've done this before??!! I would not have thought of it. I was going to use some "super clean" (not sure if that's the real name) or something similiar before paint.
You can be the critic. I'll see you at one of the spring shows here in the great north woods shows. That would be after the third season, Mud!!
I'm starting to feel like someone's little brother that everyone looks after. Not a complaint, I really appreciate it. Can't assume anything.
Thanks.
Joe

Better living through chemistry...

Whenever I use oven cleaner I rinse with vinegar such as the oven racks, burner pans etc. If you get oven cleaner on your hands, spray a little vinegar on them to remove the slimy feel and bring the Ph back down.

_________________
67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

Thanks for the explanation. It makes sense. I was really amazed at how well that stuff worked after spending large quantities of cash on "heavy duty" and "concentrated" engine cleaners. I'm thinking of going to Wally Mart and buying up all the oven cleaner I can get and relable it "Deluxe Extra Special Engine Cleaner". It might have a market.
Thanks again.
Joe

An alternative might be to use "Aluminum" paint, I know Krylon and other make it. I have used it to paint the door sills and it makes it look much better but I have not used it on things like front grills. Just remember to clear coat it.

I had a major screw-up. I tried to paint it semi gloss black like the Signet but didn't get it clean enough. It lifted in a lot of places. I tried to clean it all off with laquer thinner now I've got a big mess. I've got some Nyalic coming from the Deep South so when I do get it straightened out I can clear it. I'm going to wire brush it today and squirt it again. We'll see what happens.
I'm going to Google "chrome paint " and see what happens.
Thanks.
Joe

I think Dupli-Color, Krylon and a few otehrs have chrome paint, it's not too bad, it doesn't really look like the plated chrome but it's not too bad.

That "chrome" spray paint is excellent for refurbishing the reflectors of brake lights and turn signals, but it's pretty tacky-looking when used on ornamentation. It doesn't look anything like chrome, and it has a matte surface finish.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Dan, Is there anything that you could recommend for the look of polished aluminum/chrome that can be covered with Nyalic?
I'm afraid that even if I redo it semi gloss black, what ever I cover it with could cause problems.
I've started the wire brush treatment already. Along with lacquer thinner it's doing a pretty good job of cleaning up most of the grill.
Thanks again.
Joe