Can someone tell me what metal this is, it feels almost cast on the outside but the inside feels smoother than that....

How I can find out how to clean and polish it. I have no experience polishing anything

From the factory would it have been polished to a shine or more of a matte finish?

Thanks a lot

 

It's chromed pot metal I believe...at least the '65's are.

The problem is that the squares are dull and the outlines are shiny.
Some believe the dull parts were "flash chromed".
I'm not even sure how one piece of metal can be chromed two different ways.
Whatever it was, it's a bear to replicate.

Find the best original you can.

 

There are no re-pops. Really hard to find a good used one, it will cost you if you do.

 

Thanks for the good info guys.

I’ll look online and see what I can find
I found a pretty good one but it was in Canada and the seller mentioned he had other sales that were getting hit with pretty substantial tariffs.

 

I would avoid spending the funds ($500-$1000) to have this piece re-chromed. The buffing process significantly damages the detail in the lettering.

 

I just went ahead and re ordered the one I found on eBay from Canada. I’ll put up a pic when it arrives. The squares and the bars are definately a different texture

 

I think I would start by using mild, simple, liquid cleaners and non-metallic brushes.

 

The tail panel is die cast pot metal. The whole part was plated, but only the raised areas were polished after plating. The problem is that is it nearly impossible to repair the pits without destroying the rough finish inside the squares. I have this problem with the panel on my 66 442. I finally had the plater smooth the rough area and I plan to paint that area with wrinkle paint to simulate the rough finish. On the 66, that area is painted black, so not an issue using wrinkle paint. In case you are wondering, the way pits get repaired in pot metal is that he whole part gets stripped of chrome, then the pits are individually ground out to base metal. The part is then copper plated and each pit is hand-filled with solder and ground smooth. Once all the pits are done, the part is again copper plated, followed by the normal nickel and chrome plating. Yes, that process is just as labor-intensive and expensive as it sounds.

 

Recently I was looking for another project and the nearest automotive chrome plating shop to me is Nashville about a 3 hour drive. It's crazy to me how many small shops we have lost over the years.

Joe, That process seems really daunting, and makes the tariffs i may or may noy pay seem small.

 

Please review the video

 

That looks like it's dirt/rust stained. Try polishing it with 'Brasso Metal Polish' or 'Easy Off oven cleaner'. Try either on an area on the back side first and if you use the oven cleaner neutralize it after. "To neutralize oven cleaner residue, apply white vinegar or a solution of lemon juice to the cleaned surfaces, let it sit for 10–15 minutes to allow the reaction to occur, then wipe thoroughly with a damp cloth and rinse with cool water." Use a toothbrush to get in and around the letters and tight spots.