Update: Windshield trim polish. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JBR · #1 01-05-2006, 08:53 AM

As most already know, how hard it is to polish the aluminium trim around the windshield. I have used wade al polish, arora 3000 grit rubbing compound, steel wool, I even soaked parts in coke cola over night and rubbed with al foil. No luck, well last night I used 500 grit wet sand paper and wal-la the cloudy milky finish was removed. Tonight I will go back over the parts with 1000 grit wet sand paper, then on to the 3000 grit polish. I think I'm on to something now. I'll keep you posted.

boneheaddoctor · #2 01-05-2006, 09:37 AM

What you did was remove the old oxidized anodizing......you will now HAVE to keep it polished...

TX76513 · #3 01-05-2006, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

What you did was remove the old oxidized anodizing......you will now HAVE to keep it polished...

100% correct! And to keep it bright you need to clear coat with a good UV coating.

JBR · #4 01-05-2006, 10:13 AM

I beleive you are correct the bright dip anodized process only changes a few molecule thickness of the aluminium. But I am having the entire car repainted and I could not see myself putting the old UGLY trim back on the car. I have done only a small amount of searching for new ones, but have not found them for sale.

TX76513 · #5 01-05-2006, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBR

I beleive you are correct the bright dip anodized process only changes a few molecule thickness of the aluminium. But I am having the entire car repainted and I could not see myself putting the old UGLY trim back on the car. I have done only a small amount of searching for new ones, but have not found them for sale.

If you are going to repaint I would remove the trim, clean it up, and have the shop spray it with a good UV CC and re-install.

riethoven · #6 01-05-2006, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

What you did was remove the old oxidized anodizing......you will now HAVE to keep it polished...

I agree 100% with BHD. Even though the anodizing from the factory looked "milky" it was still protecting the aluminum from oxidizing. Now that you have taken the anodizing off by sanding it, the aluminum is no longer protected. You can lacquer it, but that is not nearly as durable or as hard as the anodizing.
But go figure that the typical warranty for the finish on anodized architectural products (Architectural products are windows, doors etc.) is 5 years, and that anodizing does not do well in alkaline or salty environments. But I think the two alternatives for auto trim are expensive (stainless steel, I had an Alfa Romeo with stainless trim) or not as durable (chorme plated steel), so the anodized aluminum is a good choice.
I am surprised that there is no one out there that is reanodizing these part and reselling them. As long as they aren't too bent up, and if the prep is done well, you can get the anodizing to look just like brand new. You could even darken the color from clear (like the Mercedes trim) all the way to black, depending upon how long it stays in the anodizing tank.

lee polowczuk · #7 01-05-2006, 10:41 AM

you could consider painting the windshield trim and the two strips that run atop the roof. Mono look. We did that with my son's 300e. Looks natural....at least on a 17 year old car.

riethoven · #8 01-05-2006, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lee polowczuk

you could consider painting the windshield trim and the two strips that run atop the roof. Mono look. We did that with my son's 300e. Looks natural....at least on a 17 year old car.

You could also have the parts powder coated. That is a very durable finish and you can get just about any color. One of the things AMG did was to make all the trim black. Also, with powder coating you can choose the glossiness of the coating so it doesn't look too shiny.