'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

 

[t-bird-art]

The panels are finished wth an annodized coating- very tough and long lasting. The dull anodized coating will not shine. My panels were also scratached and I decided to remove the annodiaed coating. After hours with the buffing wheel I got down to the aluminum which shined like chrome but-- the shine did not last. After coating with clear lacquer the panels lost the chrome shine and tarnished after a year. The "chrome" paints in spray cans look terrible . In short, I think you have to snd them off to get annodized again to make them decent.