The Ford Barn

VWJoe · 03-13-2013, 04:56 PM

After reading many, many posts on claening Zinc (i.e. using lemons, rubbing on tomato paste, using vinager, etc, etc.) I tried using some aluminum cleaner I had on hand. It worked great. I brushed on the jelly-like cleaner, let it set for 5 minutes, then scrubbed it with a fine 3M scotch brite pad (red or gray). Very little scrubbing was needed. Then I removed the cleaner with a wet towel. It removed all the white and dark gray corrosion and left the Zinc a dull aluminum color. I then used some Blue Magic chrome polish to bring back the shine. Each running board took about 30 minutes to complete and turned out great.

Mike V. Florida · 03-13-2013, 05:07 PM

You are right about that, it turned out great!

59mgaguy · 03-13-2013, 07:17 PM

Lemon, tomato, and vinegar are all acids. What you did was remove the protecting zinc coating.

wrndln · 03-13-2013, 07:59 PM

I thought runningboard trim was solid zinc, not a zinc coating. I think the whitish material that forms on the trim and looks bad was an oxide. I thought the chemicals just removed the oxide coating and not much or any underlying zinc.
Rusty Nelson

Mike V. Florida · 03-13-2013, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrndln

I thought runningboard trim was solid zinc, not a zinc coating. I think the whitish material that forms on the trim and looks bad was an oxide. I thought the chemicals just removed the oxide coating and not much or any underlying zinc.
Rusty Nelson

Your right as is 59mgaguy. Zinc with create this coating to protect it's self, sort of line the green coating you get on copper.

Your cleaning removed the coating like polishing will remove the green coating of copper.

Steve Plucker · 03-13-2013, 10:33 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by VWJoe

After reading many, many posts on claening Zinc (i.e. using lemons, rubbing on tomato paste, using vinager, etc, etc.) I tried using some aluminum cleaner I had on hand. It worked great. I brushed on the jelly-like cleaner, let it set for 5 minutes, then scrubbed it with a fine 3M scotch brite pad (red or gray). Very little scrubbing was needed. Then I removed the cleaner with a wet towel. It removed all the white and dark gray corrosion and left the Zinc a dull aluminum color. I then used some Blue Magic chrome polish to bring back the shine. Each running board took about 30 minutes to complete and turned out great.

Just courious...is the trim original or reproduction?

If repro...do we know if the repro is made of the same substance as the original?

Pluck

VWJoe · 03-14-2013, 01:00 PM

These were repo running boards that came with the car. They were stored uncovered in a barn since 1995. I think they came from Mac's as most all the other new parts the PO bought came from there. Whatever they're made of (zinc, zinc alloy, chinese steel,

etc.) they sure look better than those nasty stains. A power buffer with rubbing compound wouldn't remove them. I'm happy!!!

59mgaguy · 03-14-2013, 03:09 PM

Since you removed the zinc you'll find that the steel underneath will rust a lot faster. So you'll have to keep up with the polishing of the RB trim.
As for the green coating on copper it's oxidation not a protective coating. But I understand what you were trying to say.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 03-14-2013, 06:47 PM

Think I'll try Wright's Silver Cleaner, wonder if it would be "safe" for my nickle plated headlights?? I've never polished them yet. I'm afraid to try "Brasso"! Bill W.

Skibb · 03-14-2013, 07:48 PM

VWJoe, your garage floor is so clean I'm sure your Model A doesn't spend much time there.

ct1932ford · 03-14-2013, 08:24 PM

Try Never-Dull used it since I was a kid.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 03-14-2013, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ct1932ford

Try Never-Dull used it since I was a kid.

I had forgotten about Never-Dull, Ct, gets smelly when old, but still works well! HMM! sounds like a definition of ME! It originated with the Navy for shining brass & most anything. Would it help my head?? Bill W.

oldforder · 03-08-2018, 06:44 PM

Bill, I just did my nickle headlights on my 29 2 days ago with brass, and it worked well.
Oh darn, I just realized that I was looking at a 4 year old post.

duke36 · 03-08-2018, 08:34 PM

Timely question as we just did ours with Mothers Mag Wheel polish in one step. Wonderful product that even shines up plastic head light lenses and other elements as it's not too abrasive. Most local parts stores should have it.

jimalabam · 03-08-2018, 09:15 PM

"bout" that Duke quote : Really is "A man has to do what he has to do" ...

PalAl · 03-08-2018, 11:55 PM

That did turn out nice! I am in the process of doing the same job, I'm using FLITZ Metal Polish with 0000 steel wool to start and ending with just the polish. Looking almost as good as new. Have had a quart can of this stuff for almost 15 years, got it at Oshkosh WI Air show. Also got the blue buffer that you put on your drill motor.

http://www.flitz.com/

Cool Hand Lurker · 03-09-2018, 09:05 AM

After cleaning, give it a spray-can coat of clear lacquer to keep the oxidizing from coming back.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 03-09-2018, 03:07 PM

I've "heard" to clean headlight reflectors, just use a DAMP CHAMOIS???
Bill Shine

03-13-2013, 05:07 PM	#2
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim You are right about that, it turned out great! __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

03-13-2013, 07:17 PM	#3
59mgaguy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 114	Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim Lemon, tomato, and vinegar are all acids. What you did was remove the protecting zinc coating.

03-13-2013, 07:59 PM	#4
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,162	Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim I thought runningboard trim was solid zinc, not a zinc coating. I think the whitish material that forms on the trim and looks bad was an oxide. I thought the chemicals just removed the oxide coating and not much or any underlying zinc. Rusty Nelson

03-14-2013, 01:00 PM	#7
VWJoe Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Manassas, Va. Posts: 87	Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim These were repo running boards that came with the car. They were stored uncovered in a barn since 1995. I think they came from Mac's as most all the other new parts the PO bought came from there. Whatever they're made of (zinc, zinc alloy, chinese steel, etc.) they sure look better than those nasty stains. A power buffer with rubbing compound wouldn't remove them. I'm happy!!!

03-14-2013, 03:09 PM	#8
59mgaguy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 114	Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim Since you removed the zinc you'll find that the steel underneath will rust a lot faster. So you'll have to keep up with the polishing of the RB trim. As for the green coating on copper it's oxidation not a protective coating. But I understand what you were trying to say.

03-14-2013, 06:47 PM	#9
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim Think I'll try Wright's Silver Cleaner, wonder if it would be "safe" for my nickle plated headlights?? I've never polished them yet. I'm afraid to try "Brasso"! Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

03-14-2013, 07:48 PM	#10
Skibb Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 536	Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim VWJoe, your garage floor is so clean I'm sure your Model A doesn't spend much time there.

03-14-2013, 08:24 PM	#11
ct1932ford Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: CT. Posts: 596	Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim Try Never-Dull used it since I was a kid. __________________ A man should do what he thinks best! "The Duke"

03-08-2018, 06:44 PM	#13
oldforder Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Columbus Nebraska Posts: 171	Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim Bill, I just did my nickle headlights on my 29 2 days ago with brass, and it worked well. Oh darn, I just realized that I was looking at a 4 year old post. Last edited by oldforder; 03-08-2018 at 06:46 PM. Reason: age of post.

03-08-2018, 08:34 PM	#14
duke36 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 1,414	Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim Timely question as we just did ours with Mothers Mag Wheel polish in one step. Wonderful product that even shines up plastic head light lenses and other elements as it's not too abrasive. Most local parts stores should have it.

03-08-2018, 09:15 PM	#15
jimalabam Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lee County Alabama Posts: 828	Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim "bout" that Duke quote : Really is "A man has to do what he has to do" ...

03-08-2018, 11:55 PM	#16
PalAl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Orangeville Illinois Posts: 461	Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim That did turn out nice! I am in the process of doing the same job, I'm using FLITZ Metal Polish with 0000 steel wool to start and ending with just the polish. Looking almost as good as new. Have had a quart can of this stuff for almost 15 years, got it at Oshkosh WI Air show. Also got the blue buffer that you put on your drill motor. http://www.flitz.com/

03-09-2018, 09:05 AM	#17
Cool Hand Lurker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Minn Posts: 1,565	Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim After cleaning, give it a spray-can coat of clear lacquer to keep the oxidizing from coming back.

03-09-2018, 03:07 PM	#18
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim I've "heard" to clean headlight reflectors, just use a DAMP CHAMOIS??? Bill Shine __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"