In case anyone is contemplating sending their anodized aluminum trim for stripping and polishing I can certainly recommend Brightworks Restoration in Fall River, Ma. I sent my four B85 moldings to him based on an ad in Hemmings and had excellent results. He charges $45/hr. He stripped the anodizing, removed minor dings and polished for a total of three hours of work. The pictures speak for themselves. What I couldn't believe in this day and age is he returned the moldings to me without payment for his work or the shipping. He operates the old fashioned way with money orders or checks. Thought I would pass good news along.

 

About 20 mins from me. I'll have to check him out.

http://www.brightworksrestoration.com/index.htm

 

Did he anodize after stripping?

 

I mentioned it, but he said most people find it isn't necessary, as all you have to do is just wax the moldings as would the rest of the car, and it supposedly maintains it's lustre. I didn't pursue it any further. My car is garaged and won't be exposed to the elements very often. Maybe he doesn't offer the service and that is his story.

 

looks like he does very good work for a great price

 

Anodizing strengthens aluminum. Major reason why OEMs used it on headlight buckets and trim parts. Its not just to keep the aluminums shine.

Place I use. They remove anodizing, polish, and then bright dip.

http://www.mcnicholsanodizing.com/

 

Interesting and good to know. I'm sure anodizing is certainly appropriate for cars exposed to real world elements on a regular basis. My poor cars don't see the light of day often enough to make it much of a potential problem. I just hope the reproduction weatherstrips work and fit as good as the originals. What are the chances of that?