I'm having my windshield and rear window installed next week. I purchased a complete trim clip set for front and back from heartbeat city. My trim looks pretty good and I would like to learn the best way to polish the chrome trim. I was going to use just plain chrome polish from walmart.

Oh by the way my trim is not stainless but it was on the car in 78 when I bought it.

Larry

Larry, check out the archives...Dale wrote an extensive post on this very same topic...one of the best!

capt

Oh by the way my trim is not stainless but it was on the car in 78 when I bought it.

So you're sure it's actually chrome and not polished stainless?

So you're sure it's actually chrome and not polished stainless?
I checked it with a magnet.

Who ever is going to install glass I would ask them to install it with butyl tape kit http://www.crlaurence.com/ProductPages/C/CRL1405_12453.html?Origin=
so it would be like it was new. Most shop are going to want to install it with with urethane sealer and it will not look the same but it will stand up to crash standards of these days. Do'nt bang the chrome on are you will have dents in it. I like original look myself. I install glass for a living.

THANKS RAYZZ MY CAMAARO LIKES MY MONEY

how true that statement is... especially on the 2nd gen camaros....
the trim will have a major gap due to using sealer in a tube...then you have severe wind noise..like a harmonica... glass shop i was using tried to say it was a fed law that had to use urethane sealer..
really takes a great looking car down a couple notches

Old school trick poishing stainless/chrome bumpers/trim etc
A big bit of Aluminin foils lightly screwed up and rub with coke or water or thinners
Doesnt scratch
If real messed up...mechanical polising , use a 6 x1" buff in an old electric drill, clamped in the vice.
Polishing ruoge and kero to moisten ..finish with the Foil

So you're sure it's actually chrome and not polished stainless?
I checked my chrome moldings agan and I'm not sure if it is chrome or stainless. The back side looks like unfinished stainless. Are stainless steel window trim magnetize?:confused:(410 stainless) not 304

Larry, the only chrome I've found on my 69 is the rear bumper. They don't build them this well anymore. I've not given any of it the magnet test, but some stainless will react to a magnet. Just depends on the alloy.

Most Stainless on a car will pull to the magnet.
It's not a piercing.

Who ever is going to install glass I would ask them to install it with butyl tape kit http://www.crlaurence.com/ProductPages/C/CRL1405_12453.html?Origin=
so it would be like it was new. Most shop are going to want to install it with with urethane sealer and it will not look the same but it will stand up to crash standards of these days.

Nope. GM NEVER used butyl tape to install windshields or backlites. They were installed with pumpable Thiokol adhesive, which was later replaced by the Urethane adhesive we use today. Butyl tape is a short-cut band-aid for aftermarket glass shop installation - it won't meet MVSS windshield retention requirements, and lends no torsional strength to the body.

:beers:

I checked my chrome moldings agan and I'm not sure if it is chrome or stainless. The back side looks like unfinished stainless.

ALL windshield and backlite reveal moldings are polished stainless, which is flash-chromed after polishing to protect it from oxidation and dulling.

:beers:

Thanks for all the help. I will use dale's method of polishing them.

ALL windshield and backlite reveal moldings are polished stainless, which is flash-chromed after polishing to protect it from oxidation and dulling.

:beers:

AHAA!!!:hurray::D There we go Dale, guess that explains the micro- plating I ran into on the one molding. Apparently was original, never been polished.

GeeEz John, where was you when Dale & I was goin round & round on this matter.....guess ya didn't want to get involved. Can't blame ya. LOL

My question now is; what's the best product to apply to freshly buffed stainless for preservation??

Thanks John

:beers:

contrary to popular belief not all Stainless is non-magnetic. Auto trim is usually in the 301-304 class and has enough iron in it to be magnetic.

My question now is; what's the best product to apply to freshly buffed stainless for preservation??

Thanks John

:beers:

The best way is to send them out and have them flash-chromed (also known as "smack-chromed") - the clear chrome protects the stainless from oxidation, and gives it that icy-blue appearance. Without the flash-chrome, they will eventually have a slightly yellowed appearance. :)

Thanks John, does sound like the best way although I hate to think what that may cost. I was thinkin more in terms of a poor mans solution such as Autosol metal polish. Supposed to remove tarnish and leave a protective film. Never tried it but could add it to the list of the annual detailing agenda:)

Happy Turkey Day !!

Try the Alumium foil and thinners or coke
Then finish with several coats of good car polish several days beteen polishs.