How do you guys freshen up the chrome moulding that goes around the headlights, drip rails, windshield, etc... to also include the bumpers, sill plates, and vent balls.

Mine are in really good shape so I want to keep them. I redid my console, dash panel and kick panels and they turned out perfect. Figured I would try the chrome stuff now. I have heard to just use steel wool but didn't want to try until I got the okay from you guys.

Steel wool works great BUT....use at least 000 or better yet OOOO. I use it on all my chrome on both the car and Harley. Quadruple 0 will not scratch but will make chrome shine like crazy. Make SURE that the chrome is super clean as any dirt getting scrubbed around by anything will scratch.
Herbie

I like the old reliable #7 chrome polish. It used to be made by Dupont but is now made by someone else. Still works great though and has zero chance of scratching.

Tom

Steel wool works great BUT....use at least 000 or better yet 0000.

:yes: 0000

Some trim is anoidized aluminum, some is stainless, chrome, & chromed plastic. You won't get much shine out of the aluminum. The stainless can be buffed to look perfect. the chrome can be cleaned but if it has bad spots you will need to rechrome. The plastic vent balls are very delicate and can't take any steel wool at all IMHO. You will be able to buff the drip rails & windshield trim.

Tell me this then. For now am I better off cleaning my moulding and waiting to polish it after I put it back on the car or should I do it before I put it on the car. The car will have a new paint job in about a week or two.

You buff your stainless trim off the car......and far from anything else you like since it is a little messy but mostly you have to be careful that the buffer doesn't grab your trim and fling it accross the garage. Do a search on polishing stainless to get the details. You should be cleaning and assembling small assemblies while your car is still at the shop. Once it gets home we get in such a hurry to get it together and on the street we shortcut things that we shouldn't. Put your bumpers all together with blinkers and brackets, clean the dash if you have it out...etc.

In a hurry.. Never! My car leaves for paint on Saturday and I just stuffed the Ausley's book under my desk (boss is near). I need emblems, mouldings, grill etc. Can't wait for the car to get back and it ain't even gone yet!!

I use an air grinder and Eastwood jeweler's rouges in various grits/compounds. It takes longer than steel wool, but the results are incredible.