Stainless Restoration - Classic Stainless

[Larry T.]

I am about to send my C-2 hard top trim to have the scuffs taken out and get it polished. I tried it myself but just do not have the right equipment to get a good result. I am planning to use Dave at Classic Stainless. He has an ad on page 34 of the current Driveline. He seems to know his stuff in talking to him. Has anyone had any experience with him?

Thanks.

[Tracy C.]

Re: Stainless Restoration - Classic Stainless

A $69 Harbor Freight buffer and a couple fo different types of compound is all you need. I'll bet your problem is that your parts still have the flash chrome on them. Chrome is VERY hard and will not easily buff off.

Strip the chrome with a 15 minute swim in a muractic acid bath and try again. You will be pleasantly surprized how easily your parts will buff out after the chrome is gone.

tc

[Larry T.]

Re: Stainless Restoration - Classic Stainless

How well will the stainless hold up without tarnishing/discoloring once the flash chrome is off?

[Stephen B.]

Re: Stainless Restoration - Classic Stainless

Stainless after polishing will out live the pyramids, is that long enough ? You can polish your own stainless,but it takes some patients,and caution.
There are some safety issues for you and your stainless. Like most restoration jobs it requires some special tools ,proper instruction,and getting your hands dirty.Good luck.
Stephen Barrett (21558) 59,66,71,73

[Anthony P.]

Re: Stainless Restoration - Classic Stainless

You can definitely do it yourself, but it takes time.

I have been polishing my 62 trim the past 3 weeks (hardtop, plus all of the other trim) and it is coming out great. I went a little overboard with a nice Eastwood dual speed 10" buffer and all of the goodies The pieces that I have done so far look like mirrors. I have even worked out some significant dents that you will not even know were there.

That was a good tip on the muriatic acid, I have been using an emery buff to work off the flash, or for rough pieces, 320->400->600 grit sandpaper then emery followed by the next 2 stages.


My justification for spending the extra on the equipment was, it would have cost me lots more to send it out, and now I have a nice buffer to use when needed, such as when I need to polish that 1 stainless screw, I can.

Tony

[Larry T.]

Re: Stainless Restoration - Classic Stainless

Are you planning to have it re flash chromed when done polishing?

[Tracy C.]

Re: Stainless Restoration - Classic Stainless

Are you planning to have it re flash chromed when done polishing?

Larry, I had mine reflashed. I used Areba Chrome, but Rick Applegate sold out. I think the person who bought the shop also does this. Here is a picture with and without. You will notice the difference most on overcast days.

[Jim T.]

Re: Stainless Restoration - Classic Stainless

Larry, I had mine reflashed. I used Areba Chrome, but Rick Applegate sold out. I think the person who bought the shop also does this. Here is a picture with and without. You will notice the difference most on overcast days.

Tracy when you used Areba Chrome where was it located? It was once in Jackson, Tn, but not now that I know of.

[Joe R.]

Re: Stainless Restoration - Classic Stainless

Larry, I had mine reflashed. I used Areba Chrome, but Rick Applegate sold out. I think the person who bought the shop also does this. Here is a picture with and without. You will notice the difference most on overcast days.

Tracy,

Did you mean to post some pics?

Joe

[Tracy C.]

Re: Stainless Restoration - Classic Stainless

Tracy when you used Areba Chrome where was it located? It was once in Jackson, Tn, but not now that I know of.

Yes I think it was in Jackson Tennesee. I think the shop is in the same spot only under a new name. I've seen posts here, and I think if you searched the archives, the information would surface.

tc

[Tracy C.]

Re: Stainless Restoration - Classic Stainless

Tracy,

Did you mean to post some pics?

Joe

Only the one pic... If you can't see the difference, turn the brightness down a tad on your monitor.

[Scott M.]

Re: Stainless Restoration - Classic Stainless

I always thought Areba just handled parts for Dans Chrome and Polishing in Adamsville, TN, whatever the case, the parts I got back were excellent and at a great price.

[Jerry C.]

Re: Stainless Restoration - Classic Stainless

Dave has done two C-1s for me and does excellent work.

[Paul J.]

Re: Stainless Restoration - Classic Stainless

A $69 Harbor Freight buffer and a couple fo different types of compound is all you need. I'll bet your problem is that your parts still have the flash chrome on them. Chrome is VERY hard and will not easily buff off.

Strip the chrome with a 15 minute swim in a muractic acid bath and try again. You will be pleasantly surprized how easily your parts will buff out after the chrome is gone.

tc

Tracy, how does the Harbour Freight buffer perform when you put pressure on it? Does it have enough torque to keep working? The Baldour buffers that Tony mentioned have enough torque and are excellent, but they are very pricey.

Paul

[Stephen B.]

Re: Stainless Restoration - Classic Stainless

Gentleman
Can anyone give an explanation why GM would make something out of stainless and then ad to the production cost by plating a material that will outlast the pyramids.Mild steel would have been cheaper and far easier to form. It still could have been cheaply plated.I'm doing a 59 hardtop right now and I can tell you after I put the work necessary in my moldings to buff and repair their not getting plated. Makes absolutely no sense.They didn't plate any of the exterior moldings.
Stephen Barrett (21558) 59,66,71,73