Aluminum & Stainless Restoration The Process By "Doc"

[AMC74Hornet@xxxxxxxxx (Mr. AMC)]

If memory serves me right stainless is just steel with I think chromium
added as a rust inhabiter so a magnet should stick to it. The rain
gutter trim on all my AMC's is stainless, the side trim on my 65
American was aluminum as was the trim on my 69 Rebel. The process I have
used on my aluminum door sill plates will work on aluminum as well as
stainless. I first cleaned the part with prepsol, it must be perfectly
clean front and back. Depending on if it is aluminum or stainless start
wet sanding with 400# sandpaper for stainless 600 for aluminum. If the
damage on the stainless is minor start with 600#. Then wet sand with
1000#. To make the wet sanding go smoother add a shot of ordinary dish
liquid to the water. Next I used fine Crocus cloth. This is actually a
cloth backed sandpaper that is super fine and must be used without
water. Next I used Dupont coarse orange rubbing compound and then fine
white rubbing compound and then I used Mothers Mag & Aluminum polish. I
have also used it on stainless. The final step is to protect it with a
good coat of quality wax if the part is aluminum to prevent oxidation.
One word of caution this is not a slam bam its like new process. It
takes time and patience and a light hand and a good eye when you sand or
you could do more damage than you had when you started. It took me 40
hours to do the first door sill and about 35 to do the second one as the
first one was a learning experience. Mind you I had dings, dents big
time to repair before even starting the polishing process so side trim
or somthing smaller would take a lot less time. I do not recommend using
a polisher on aluminum. It is safer to do it by hand. I installed the
door sills yesterday and they look beautiful. A nice finishing touch to
a 1 year long complete interior job. Now to just find me a dome light
lens in my spare parts stash and onto the next project. 
"Doc"