66 Cutlass side trim...Flash chromed?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 5, 2009 | 07:17 PM
  #1  
gearheads78's Avatar
Thread Starter
car guy
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,675
From: Dallas TX
66 Cutlass side trim...Flash chromed?

I know 67 is since some of the pieces are pot metal but since 66 is all stainless I assumed it was not. Well I started buffing my trim today and seams like there is a layer I am cutting through. Is that chrome or just a real tough layer of oxidation with clean metal where I sanded through?
See the point in the pic. The bottom of the pic I sanded and polished it all off but it is a bitch.


[/img]
Old Mar 6, 2009 | 12:18 PM
  #2  
csstrux's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,728
From: Overton NV
I am talking out of my keister here, but it does look like you cut through something. Maybe anodizing
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 03:44 AM
  #3  
65cutty's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 244
From: westerville ohio
been there did that, the pieces have a clear coat on them from the mfg. I sanded all of mine off and polished it looks nice but has a yellow hint to it. mine is not out in the weather and this has been done a number of years ago and using paste wax twice a year seems to keep it looking good. I used to do this work for friends ...jim
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 04:28 AM
  #4  
wmachine's Avatar
Trying to remember member
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,112
From: Ohio
That's a good question, Richard. The center section of the trim originally has some surface treatment to give it a "satin" finish. It is not supposed to be polished. I don't know (yet!) what that finish is. Only the top and bottom edges are polished. And of. course, there is the black stripe.
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 06:54 AM
  #5  
gearheads78's Avatar
Thread Starter
car guy
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,675
From: Dallas TX
Originally Posted by wmachine
That's a good question, Richard. The center section of the trim originally has some surface treatment to give it a "satin" finish. It is not supposed to be polished. I don't know (yet!) what that finish is. Only the top and bottom edges are polished. And of. course, there is the black stripe.
The center is just silver paint. I have that addressed but it does look like the stainless is all chromed and will need to be removed before polishing.
I'm not going to do it now. No use in spending weeks on the stainless making it perfect and putting it on in imperfect body.
Old Mar 20, 2009 | 05:01 PM
  #6  
rcorrigan5's Avatar
Randy C.
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,348
From: Albany, OR
FLASH CHROMING

Originally Posted by gearheads78
I know 67 is since some of the pieces are pot metal but since 66 is all stainless I assumed it was not. Well I started buffing my trim today and seams like there is a layer I am cutting through. Is that chrome or just a real tough layer of oxidation with clean metal where I sanded through?
See the point in the pic. The bottom of the pic I sanded and polished it all off but it is a bitch.


[/img]

It's quite possible the item is flash chromed. I had the same trouble with the passenger side quarter fender ridge trim on my '68 442 convertible. I thought the piece was just stainless and I took it to a stainless expert to get it buffed out. He told me the piece was flash chromed and that I would need to have the flash chrome removed before he could buff. He told me he was surprised to see flash chroming that late in the 60s, but he was sure it was. I took it to a chrome shop and they removed the flash chrome in a matter of a couple of minutes. Then, I took the piece back to the stainless guy and he buffed it all out for me. However, it did appear a bit diffferent than the rest of the trim on the car when I compared them side by side. I took the piece back to the chromer and he flash chromed it for me. Now it looks exactly like the other pieces. Accordingly, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if you piece is flash-chromed.
Randy C.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
1968Olds442front.jpg (44.2 KB, 4 views)
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Beeks69
Electrical
56
May 8, 2014 07:13 AM
72cuttys
Transmission
12
Mar 30, 2014 07:43 PM
coldfire
Electrical
4
Aug 3, 2013 06:33 AM
defiant1
Big Blocks
6
Sep 9, 2011 09:29 PM
awspeich
Chassis/Body/Frame
1
Feb 23, 2007 12:50 AM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:40 PM.