Radiator Shell& Headlight Buckets

[mantta]

On my 1930 Coupe the headlight buckets and radiator shell have lots of mild scratches in them. Is there an easy way to rub these out by hand or do I need to remove them and use a buffing wheel?
Thanks!

[Jim Boehmke]

Start with about 400 grit, then 600 grit, then 1000 grit, then 2000 grit, then buff. If you find that the 400 did not remove the scratch, you will have to go coarser. It takes lots of time and elbow grease. I spent 50 hrs on my shell and lights because it was badly dented and cracked.

[2manycars]

I send mine to the plater and cough up the money to let the professionals do a first rate job.

[RonC]

You can rig up a buffing wheel and do it right. There is a good article on buffing headlight shells in one of the "How to restore your model A" books.

http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/87.cfm

You can also add a wire wheel for wire brushing parts clean.

[SSsssteamer]

In buffing headlight rings, install a plywood circle in place of the glass lense and buff away. If you don't, the buffiing wheel will grab the headlight ring out of your hands and wad it up. As you pick up the residue headlight ring off of the floor, you may also find a couple of your missing fingers laying loose in the tangled headlight ring too. The radiator shell can also be a problem hanging onto also. Just use good practice working with the sharp edges and stay alert.

[Roadster62]

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GREAT safety advice SSsssteamer!!!!!!!!! Just buffed the stainless trim band on a 1932 Ford radiator shell today. Installed it on the shell, then taped both sides of the shell, filed sanded and buffed it. We're all still in one piece.

[Charlie Stephens]

One caution on the radiator shell. Don't press a high speed wheel hard against the shell and cause it to heat up locally. The result will be ripples that cannot be removed.

Charlie Stephens

[John Butts in CT]

Originally Posted by SSsssteamer

In buffing headlight rings, install a plywood circle in place of the glass lense and buff away. If you don't, the buffiing wheel will grab the headlight ring out of your hands and wad it up. As you pick up the residue headlight ring off of the floor, you may also find a couple of your missing fingers laying loose in the tangled headlight ring too. The radiator shell can also be a problem hanging onto also. Just use good practice working with the sharp edges and stay alert.

Excellent advice. Thanks.