Polishing zinc running board trim

[smittykid]

I've tried Flitz, NeverDull and a variety of metal polishes. That zinc is a PITA to polish. Anybody out there have a good method or polish brand to make my life easier? I've been doing this all by hand. I don't have a buffing wheel.
I see that Snyder's sells stainless reproductions. What has to be done to remove the old zinc trim pieces? They are in good shape, just very badly tarnished. I'm not too worried about the stainless ones not being original. I like the idea of little maintainenece. How do you get the old ones off without destroying them? Like I said, they are in nice shape-no dents or metal tears. If I can polish up the zinc ones to look decent-that would be ok too. i just don't want to kill myself polishing. Thanks, Smitty

[Fred]

Brillo Pads, Then polish.. Just don't tell your wife you took them all

[peters180a/170b]

I have been using for 5 years now NAVAL JELLY waring gloves and using fine steel wool. I then wipe off with a damp rag....

[Gary Karr]

I use a fine steel wool but remember that original zinc mouldings were not polished. they were dull.

[Doug Clayton]

Originally the zinc trim was not dull! The zinc metal was rolled out in strips and formed on a rolling mill. Therefore, the appearance was like a freshly rolled piece of metal similar to a sheet of aluminum that you can buy today - not dull, but not polished to a shine either!

[Tom Wesenberg]

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That dull look is "patina" and sells for big money on ebay.

Wish I had your zinc strips, then I could buy you some stainless ones.

[C26Pinelake]

i use an SOS pad and then use chrome polish. It never gets shiny but it has a bit of a glare to it.
Wayne

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by C26Pinelake

i use an SOS pad and then use chrome polish. It never gets shiny but it has a bit of a glare to it.
Wayne

don't use SOS pads as they have soap in them and are to course. remember your not doing the dishes.
fine straight steel wool and some metal cleaner will suffice.

[smittykid]

Well, after alot of elbow grease and different polishes, Brillo pad, 0000 steel wool-here's the after pics. I didn't think to take any before pics. I think they turned out pretty well. Good enough that I think I saved myself $80 for stainless replacements. I'll just have to keep after them so they don't get as tarnished as before. Thanks for all the input! Smitty

[Tinbasher]

Auto-Sol and a cloth works well. Old time metal polish that works.

The Old Tinbasher

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

don't use SOS pads as they have soap in them and are to course. remember your not doing the dishes.
fine straight steel wool and some metal cleaner will suffice.

It worked great for me on three of my cars, of course it contains soap but you wash the suds off ! The steel wool in them is fine enough to not scratch the. Dishes and did not scratch the trim. That then allows the polish to work. Try it , you will like the finished result !
Wayne

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by C26Pinelake

It worked great for me on three of my cars, of course it contains soap but you wash the suds off ! The steel wool in them is fine enough to not scratch the. Dishes and did not scratch the trim. That then allows the polish to work. Try it , you will like the finished result !
Wayne

its to course its not 000 grade its more like 3.0--3.5
i would hate to see someone scratch up there trim from erroneous advice
glad you got it smitty its better than fitting and messing with new ones

[C26Pinelake]

I would also hate to see a scratch. My trim turned out exceptionally well without a scratch. The advice was true and tested and anything but erroneous !But we must remember this is running board trim and not Rolls Royce emblems. I am also glad it turned out well for you Smitty !
Wayne

[d.j. moordigian]

Originally Posted by Doug Clayton

Originally the zinc trim was not dull! The zinc metal was rolled out in strips and formed on a rolling mill. Therefore, the appearance was like a freshly rolled piece of metal similar to a sheet of aluminum that you can buy today - not dull, but not polished to a shine either!

So you should see the roller and die marks in it, like cold finished
Aluminum?