Does anyone have a suggestion to protect the aluminum (formerly anodized) window trim from my el camino. I've stripped the anodizing and got most of the nicks smoothed. Its already polished. Now its time for a "permanent" protective coating.

I did a search and found recommendations for Pelucid & Glisten from POR15. Also Nylac from Eastwood. But I also found complaints of yellowing over time on all. Does anyone have a suggestion for a clearcoat that I might find locally. Thanx for reading this long http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif .

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Rick
72 El Camino (http://members.home.net/jimmy4/rick1972elky.html)
TPI 350/700r4 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/ricks%20motor%20-L)

I know this doesn't answer your question. How did you remove the anodizing from the aluminum?

Glenn

[This message has been edited by GWL (edited 05-26-2002).]

I think oven cleaner is used.

Honestly, if it were me, i wouldnt put ANYTHING on it... its aluminum, so it wont rust, as you have heard, any clear coat products will eventually yellow or discolor... unless youre planning on driving it in the winter, i'd say just polish it up once in awhile with metal polish and keep it waxed... it should stay nice for a long time. I too would like to know what process you used for stripping the anodizing.

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My 69 SS Elco (http://members.aol.com/joeybsyc/elcooutside.jpg)
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Rick, I agree with the earlier posts, anything you put on it to protect it will eventually yellow. I stripped the anodizing off my trim over 10 years ago. I just used windex to clean it, then cover with a good coat of paste wax. A product called met-all is good for a shine on any dull areas. Look in a home center supply for this . rb6667

Thanx ALL
My prefered anodizing remover is Blue Lightning Anodizing Remover (duh!). I bought it at a swap meet and it works great. Spray it on, let it soak, scrub with a scotchbrite. It works quick and does not seem to be too hard on the aluminum. Find it here: http://bluelightning.zoovy.com/product/ADPT

I have used the oven cleaner and found it not to be as effective - a little more hit or miss proposition. I'm not sure how long to leave it on before it can damage aluminum (I've read here that it can).

Finally while looking on the web for a coating, I found this thread: http://www.caswellplating.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?TopicID=88 The lye drain opener MAY be effective. Again a trial & error deal.

Also thanx for the suggestions to let it go. You are probably right, any coating may dull it and turn over time. I polished it with Never-Dull and Wenol creme polish. Looks great. I have a buffing wheel but I think that I'll forgo that step.

If you are looking for a permanent protective
finish I would have the parts reanodized.
If you are looking for a high quality
finish, have the parts professionally buffed. Then send them out to a metal refinisher. One I highly recommend is Colors, Inc. 5780 Massachusetts
Indianapolis, In. 317-547-5253. They can bright-dip aluminum to a chrome appearance or
to factory specs.

por-15 has a good product for clear coating trim and bumpers. i plan on using it because then the aluminum will not oxidize and the chrome nos bumpers will never pit. check it out.

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I was just reading about something in a rod magazine. I beleive they called it Zoopseal? Anyway its a solution you mix up and then apply to aluminum. It creates a very thin ceramic type coating that gets harder with age. Its suppose to stay clear and seal aluminum to prevent oxidation. Its recommended for wheels and polished engine parts. Dont see why it wouldnt work on trim. They said the only thing that really touches the stuff is high ph solutions.

The right way to do it is to have it re-annodized. Check out www.anobrite.com. (http://www.anobrite.com.) It is not cheap, but they do an awesome job of straightening your trim and then re-dipping it. It did all my trim with them. It cost about 1200, but it was so worth it.

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Jameel Qazi
#'s 67 SS

Thanks for the info.
Glenn

I also used Anobrite to re-annodize all the trim on my 64 SS. I was very pleased with the results. It is fairly expensive (cost me $900) but was worth it to me. I had quite a few little dings & dents which they straighten out too.