Chrome advice needed

[89merk]

The chrome around the window frames is getting a bit hazy...any ideas wha can take that off? I was thinking a careful wiping with CLR, but i may be wrong.

[Grand Marquis GT]

Mang,

The problem is, it's aluminum shit that is clearcoated. Someone was talking about scuffing it up to remove the clearcoat and re-shooting it, but I don't know. Don't use CLR!!!

[89merk]

I might wet sand it with 2000 grain.......

[LTDMan83]

The reason why the Aluminum trim can't be polished, is because it has a Clear Anodized finish over it, which is different from clearcoat, and quite abit stronger.

The easiest way to remove the Anodization is to, remove the trim from the car and spray it down with Easy-Off Oven Cleaner, or the equivalent. The cleaner is actually Caustic enough that it will remove the anodization, but without harming the trim.

Wash the oven cleaner off after a few minutes, then the Trim Pieces can be dried thoroughly, and Polished with normal Chrome or Aluminum Polish. You can Clearcoat them if you would like the shine to last for awhile. There is also a non-permanent product called Zoop Seal, which works excellent to seal up shiny aluminum surfaces from corrosion.

[89merk]

How much of a pain in the ass is it to remove the trim pieces?

[LTDMan83]

Which trim pieces do you want to remove?

Some pieces are pretty easily removed, and others are a complete nightmare to try to remove from the car without damaging them.

[86VickyLX]

No wonder that shit don't shine on my car. Thanks for making this thread.

[89merk]

Which trim pieces do you want to remove?

Some pieces are pretty easily removed, and others are a complete nightmare to try to remove from the car without damaging them.

The chrome ones around the windows, on the doors and frame of the car.
I just wanna bring the chrome out again, if it can be done without removing them then your advice is appreciated...cuz that shit will NOT buff out

[CheeseSteakJim]

Yep, you have to either get them re-anodized for a factory finish or figure something else out to do with them.

Having just stripped my entire Town Car for paint a few months ago, the front and upper pieces of trim around the front doors are a matter of undoing a few screws. The biggest risk in removing those is stripping the screws. The windshield trim (three pieces if I remember correctly) is held on by clips that if you don't know how to remove them, you can damage the trim, the clips, or very possibly the windshield. They make a special tool that you're supposed to use, but I'm sure you could finagle something with a screwdriver or some kind of hook tool. I have the aforementioned tool and I managed to chip my windshield in one spot after applying too much pressure against the windshield. DO NOT use a tool like a lever against the windshield in an attempt to pry the trim off. You WILL break something. If you rotate the hook just right you'll disengage the clip very easy, but it can be difficult to master.

The rear piece of the front door trim, and IIRC all the rear door aluminum trim seems to be one piece, as underneath the B pillar the two pieces of trim (at least on a Town Car) are connected by a piece of plastic which is riveted to both sides. I may be wrong on that though because after encountering some mild difficulty in removing them I decided to just leave it because I could just mask over all the trim and the vinyl top with one big strip of paper.

The pieces for the door sills (if Crown Vics even have them - I don't remember) are IIRC held on by a nut at each end (or it might've been two on one pair of doors while only one on another pair, but I'm pretty sure it was two on each door), and a bunch of clips which are a rabid pain in the ass to get out without damaging the trim. I bent the shit out of a couple of my pieces trying to get them out. If I can't bend them back they'll need to be replaced. Make sure you're very, VERY gentle in removing these as they're only made of soft aluminum and they are really held on.

Just as a final reminder (because I'm so OCD) it is NOT chrome. It's anodized aluminum which is a very different procedure.

[trwp72]

Also, the trim around the windshield and back window is VERY easy to chip and break the windows... Best thing to do is go to a Glass shop, and have them remove them.... They have the right tools, and know how to do it without breaking anything...
Eventually, I'm going to have mine powdercoated with the new chrome color... it looks just like chrome....


Tom...

[P72Ford]

Acetone will remove the anodized finish as well.

[CheeseSteakJim]

I found that one out firsthand.

[89merk]

im actually noit worried abut the windshield and rear glass trim.
just the ones round the pasenger windows.
Shit seems complicated i might just paint em all white, or cleverly use that chrome decal shit they sell

[86VickyLX]

Acetone will remove the anodized finish as well.

Will that hurt the paint any?

[P72Ford]

Yes.