Trim and chrome on 69 stingray

[Mark O.]

[Edward J.]

Re: Trim and chrome on 69 stingray

Mark welcome, removing marks in chrome plating is generally impossible, chrome is a very hard finish, once scratched or pitted it there for the life or until you re-plate them. I have heard very very minor scratch's can be buffed but this will leave swirl marks in the chrome. I would hand polish them with chrome polish or a soft metal polish.

[Mark O.]

Re: Trim and chrome on 69 stingray

Thanks Ed the marks on the bumpers are not terrible so i will hand polish. Can i use the same thing on the trim around windows and rocker panels. Also is there any specific polish you could recommend over the others

[Edward J.]

Re: Trim and chrome on 69 stingray

Mark, most auto parts stores sell polish for chrome. I think any will work. use a clean soft cloth when polishing chrome.

[Terry M.]

Re: Trim and chrome on 69 stingray

Thanks Ed the marks on the bumpers are not terrible so i will hand polish. Can i use the same thing on the trim around windows and rocker panels. Also is there any specific polish you could recommend over the others

Mark

Welcome to the rabbit hole.

The trim around the windows is chrome plated stainless steel. The chrome plating is very thin and sometimes called "smack chrome." If you polish it too aggressively you will go through the chrome and will have blue spots where the chrome is removed.

The rocker moldings are the opposite. They are aluminum (they are very soft) and any polishing on them will remove the "brushed" finish. The surface of the rocker moldings are clear anodized. If you can find a shop that provides that specialized service and has tanks large enough for the moldings they should be able to refinish them. It will not be inexpensive.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Trim and chrome on 69 stingray

I would not use chrome polish, as it is too abrasive.

If anything, try a mild polish like Flitz with a microfiber rag, and go gently.
Remember that the trim was NOT as shiny as the bumpers on Day 1, and neither were the trim rings. You can "over restore" them by shining them up too much.

[Mark E.]

Re: Trim and chrome on 69 stingray

Heed what Terry says: Avoid using an abrasive on the chrome plated stainless trim (moldings around the windshield, wheel trim rings and caps). You don't want to rub through it.

[Mark O.]

Re: Trim and chrome on 69 stingray

Thanks Terry that is great information. That is why I wanted to make sure before i made a big mistake. The trim is in great condition i just wanted to make sure it stayed that way

[Gary B.]

Re: Trim and chrome on 69 stingray

I would not use chrome polish, as it is too abrasive.

If anything, try a mild polish like Flitz with a microfiber rag, and go gently.
Remember that the trim was NOT as shiny as the bumpers on Day 1, and neither were the trim rings. You can "over restore" them by shining them up too much.

Patrick,

Do you think the stainless trim and trim rings were never polished by GM or its supplier prior to smack chrome plating? More to my point, how does one get a lower level of shine when polishing things like the distributor shield? I know how easy it is to make something too shiny, but how does one make such things low or medium shiny when restoring them? Different types of polishes?

Gary

[Terry M.]

Re: Trim and chrome on 69 stingray

Patrick,

Do you think the stainless trim and trim rings were never polished by GM or its supplier prior to smack chrome plating? More to my point, how does one get a lower level of shine when polishing things like the distributor shield? I know how easy it is to make something too shiny, but how does one make such things low or medium shiny when restoring them? Different types of polishes?

Gary

The trim tings were polished (I believe by some automated process) after plating. The swirls on original unmolested trim rings lead me to believe some form of automation was used. All the polish marks are in the same direction. I don't believe C3 exterior judges are looking for this degree of detail, but I can not speak to C2 judges.

Once trim rings, rocker covers and ignition shielding is show chrome plated the deed is done and short of stripping the show chrome and re-plating with Flash chrome. There is nothing that can reverse the process. Worse yet, for C3 ignition shielding and rocker covers once the die marks have been polished off nothing at all can bring them back. I suspect the same applies to C2 rocker covers. I can't speak to C2 ignition shielding as I am not familiar enough with that item. Perhaps others can speak to that.

[Gary B.]

Re: Trim and chrome on 69 stingray

Terry,

For the C2 ignition shielding items that are stainless, like the distributor top shield, and two of the four exhaust shields, I don't believe they were chrome plated on top of the stainless. But I could be wrong. But C2 windshield trim, etc., was smack chrome plated, as with C3s.

Gary