'61-'63 aluminum interior trim questions

[Darel]

I just tore out my interior from my '61 and I have a couple of questions about the aluminum trim panels. Are they painted silver or is that just the oxidation? In some spots they are scratched and the metal underneath looks much brighter. What is the best way to go about restoring these panels? What kind of buffing wheel should I use, and what kind of compound?
Thanks,
Darel

[MHPRUITT]

Originally posted by Darel:
I just tore out my interior from my '61 and I have a couple of questions about the aluminum trim panels. Are they painted silver or is that just the oxidation? In some spots they are scratched and the metal underneath looks much brighter. What is the best way to go about restoring these panels? What kind of buffing wheel should I use, and what kind of compound?
Thanks,
Darel

[MHPRUITT]

Originally posted by MHPRUITT:
[QB][/QB]

Sorry about the foul up on my reply above. First one.
I have a 65' that I've been working on as well. I started on the aluminum, and in fact all the bright work with "polishing cotton" in a Medium grit. That should, with some elbow grease get you started. After you see what you have to work with you can restore it or replace it. Like they say "you have the money or the time". You can find metal trim refinishing books at amazon.com

[Animute]

They were anodized. My 62's are gold colored, when you polish them the anodizing will come off exposing the aluminium, depending on what you want to spend, a plating shop can strip them and reanodize 'em, Larrys, T-Bird HQ, and Concours sells new ones, not cheap. I got the same problem, If you do polish coat them with clear or they'll probably start oxidizing.