On my 70 442, the wide lower windshield trim that mounts to the lower cowl has no dents, but needs a little work to take out some minor scratches and I do not want to lose the "fade" effect of the shine decreasing as you go from the top of the trim to the bottom. Does anyone know what I'm talking about, and if so, how were you able to keep or reproduce this if the trim needed polishing?

 

I have had a few NOS ones over the years and it is a polished piece. not like a mirror by any stretch but polished. no fade, Could the polish vary? Possibly

 

It is more like two levels of finish now that I take a close look at it. See attached pic - below the contour line is not as finished as above.

 

I see what you mean. How about this for an idea.

Polish the part to remove whatever you need to. Then a low PSI blast with a soft media like walnut shells to get your intended fade. ????

 

Right...that piece originally was more dull at the bottom. Definitely, you are right. That's how my 69 is. Maybe later they just polished the whole piece. Repros and polished pieces are not.

 

practice on the back side with different grits of sandpaper and rub it in one precise direction. Try 400-800 grit to see what looks close