the caprice is fairly straight. i was looking at some of the dingy trim, the other day. i can take a fingernail and scrape film (grunge) off the grille. it looks pretty shiny underneath. problem is, i took my hand buffer to it, but it didn't help. it still has a film (unidentifiable) on the grill. i want to get to the shine, but i don't want to hurt the meatal. any suggestion ? grill is perfect except for this wierd film on it.

Moving to bodyshop. I bet it will get a good answer there.

If you can scrape if off with your fingernails, you could try a soft, non-scratch Scotchbrite pad and some water or degreaser. There are different kinds of Scotchbrite, so make sure you use the right thing. I have used it for a long time to scrub the bugs off the front of my vehicles, and I have never seen it scratch paint or plastic. But be careful, try it on something else before you do the car, you do not want to use the wrong kind of Scotchbrite pad!

You could also try degreaser and nylon pantyhose. Sounds weird, but works great on those bugs too. BTW, use your gf's or wife's pantyhose, do not go to the store and ask for pantyhose yourself. ;)

THAT'S THE WEIRD PART, THERE IS NOTHING ON THE GRILLE EXCEPT THIS FILM. WHEN I SCRATCH IT OFF, IT COMES OFF IN THE CONSISTENCY OF THE STUFF ON LOTTERY SCRATCHERS. UNDERNEATH IT LOOKS NEW. MIGHT TRY THE NYLON THING, BUT WITH ALL THE SHARP EDGES, IT MIGHT GET UGLY.

You should try stuff called Simple Green degreaser. Won't harm paint, crome etc. Be sure to use the product they call Crystal Simple Green, it is clear. Regular Simple green is actually green and can leave a build up on parts.

Did someone shoot a coat of clear on yhour trim, it has now yellowed and is flaking off? Might be a thumb nail process to get it off.

Maybe some overspray from a repaint? Try a little thinner? Mike

Originally posted by 1BLACKHARLEY:
THAT'S THE WEIRD PART, THERE IS NOTHING ON THE GRILLE EXCEPT THIS FILM. WHEN I SCRATCH IT OFF, IT COMES OFF IN THE CONSISTENCY OF THE STUFF ON LOTTERY SCRATCHERS. UNDERNEATH IT LOOKS NEW. MIGHT TRY THE NYLON THING, BUT WITH ALL THE SHARP EDGES, IT MIGHT GET UGLY. Forgot to say that it's easier to work with if you wrap the nylon around something, like a stiff sponge or something. The way you describe it, I would thing that the Scotchbrite is your best bet. Whatever you use, gloves also sound like a good idea in this case graemlins/waving.gif

sorry, this thread was moved over from bench racing. it's a 66 caprice, matching mist green paint and interior (don't know what the actual color name is yet)i just bought the car. it sat for 8 years after the original owner passed. i bought it fron her son 2 weeks ago, with 50k original miles and the plastic still on the seats. fixed an exhaust leak (original smog runners and pump)and now needs the radio and heater repaired to be original. a/c works. car is not perfect, but is the most original caprice i've ever seen. thanks for the ideas. i'll try again soon and let people know what happened.