Refinishing Aluminum Surrounds

[Scooter]

Hello,

I'm working on refinishing the aluminum cockpit surrounds for my ’57 BN4 project. Unfortunately, they have quite a few nicks and scratches on the surface that need to be removed before they can be refinished. I am planning to use a 3M Scotch-Brite disc on the buffing wheel to remove the imperfections. Were these originally anodized or were they painted? Do any of you have refinishing techniques you’d like to pass along?

Thanks,

Scooter

 

[Dave Russell]

Scooter,
It's just like removing imperfections in any other metal. If you just sand out the bad spots the surface of the metal will be wavy.

You need to feather back from the low areas by using a sanding block, or for deep gouges, use a small flat file first. Work a considerable area back from the gouges to make a very gradual transition.

The original finish was a satin finish which was clear anodized. If concours is not an issue you can sand-buff to what ever degree you prefer & spray with a clear coat.

Possibly, polish first & then glass bead lightly with very fine beads to a satin finish then have clear anodized or paint with a satin clear coat.

It's going to take a few hours to get it right.
D

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Scooter:
Hello,
I am planning to use a 3M Scotch-Brite disc on the buffing wheel to remove the imperfections. Were these originally anodized or were they painted? Do any of you have refinishing techniques you’d like to pass along?
Thanks,
Scooter<hr></blockquote>

 

[Randy Forbes]

Hey Scooter,
I've got a question for you, what color interior are you planning on doing?
Reason I ask is because I've got a complete interior for a BN4 in blue. It's brand new (a few years ago anyway) and still in plastic bags/boxes.
All supplied by Moss Motors: carpet set, panel set (front, rear, kick, etc.) and fr/rr seat covers. It's been a while since I've looked closely, but I think there is extra material too.
If you are interested in making an offer, I'll get a real detailed list and pictures for you.
I'm in Toledo and have a trip planned to Merrillville (Gary) middle of May.

 

[Scooter]

Hi Randy,

Thanks for the offer. Sorry, but I'm going with black. My car is Colorado Red over Black. Today I ordered my black trunk liner kit from Duncan at Heritage Trim, and I have four leather seats (black w/white beading) from a BT7 that was wrecked when brand new by the owners daughter! She came out of it okay, but the car didn't. The seats have been in storage since that time, and they seem to have faired very well. I just hope once I start using them, they don't fall apart!!

Scooter

 

[John Turney]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Scooter:
Hello,

I'm working on refinishing the aluminum cockpit surrounds for my ’57 BN4 project. Unfortunately, they have quite a few nicks and scratches on the surface that need to be removed before they can be refinished. I am planning to use a 3M Scotch-Brite disc on the buffing wheel to remove the imperfections. Were these originally anodized or were they painted? Do any of you have refinishing techniques you’d like to pass along?

Thanks,

Scooter<hr></blockquote>


Scooter,

They were clear anodized. I had mine polished and anodized. They are still soft, though, and easily scratched. I've seen them chromed, which isn't too bad; is not original, of course; and may be more scratch resistant.

John, BN4

 

[fordhealey]

i chromed mine. the dealer said that hard chrome
was a bad idea after seeing the parts. he applied a softer material and it looked great for awhile. the problem is that it scrstches when i bang it with the side curtains(BT7).it had been chromed previously,so i didn't have the option of polishing it without removing the old chrome. if i had it to do again,i would have had the chrome removed and polished and clearcoated them. maybe
next time!
gregg