Headlight Bezels

[1961 Bubble Boy]

Did you try the polish?
I am sure your new ones are anodized.
Here is some edumucation:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anodizing
I would use the polish, wax the part, and call it a day...

 

[409 lever]

as stated by 4speedman you have to remove the anodizing before polishing with anything. oven cleaner will work, go to wally world and get the cheapest stuff they have, or mix a lye solution 3-4 tablespoons per gallon,and soak the pieces in that. home depot or similar home centers will carry it in the plumbing area for drain cleaning it has to say lye on the bottle draino will not work.the anodizing turns a chocolate brown color as it is dissolved. I use a piece of plastic house gutter with ends siliconed on for long pieces of side trim. with the lye you have to babysit it or your part will disappear. oh yea wear long gloves and eye protection.

 

[303Radar]

I would be careful using oven cleaner or lye soap (sodium hydroxide) on aluminum, it can eat aluminum for lunch. I'm sure on stamped trim pieces it isn't as bad as cast aluminum, but it is corrosive stuff!

 

[Carmine]

Did you try the polish?
I am sure your new ones are anodized.
Here is some edumucation:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anodizing
I would use the polish, wax the part, and call it a day...

No, I haven't done anything with them yet. Still cleaning up some from the storm. Thanks for that link. Very informative. Wow, that oven cleaner and lye soap must be real strong if it will dissolve aluminum. Didn't now that , Carmine.

 

[1961 Bubble Boy]

No, I haven't done anything with them yet. Still cleaning up some from the storm. Thanks for that link. Very informative. Wow, that oven cleaner and lye soap must be real strong if it will dissolve aluminum. Didn't now that , Carmine.

I would try the polish and the wadding cloth first, if they don't cut through the oxidation, only then would I consider more drastic methods which could truly ruin your bezels.

 

[models916]

You can't polish the anodizing. I has to come off first. Spray it with easy-off oven cleaner for a couple of minutes and rinse off. Try and polish. If it shines up, it's off.

 

[303Radar]

I would be careful using oven cleaner or lye soap (sodium hydroxide) on aluminum, it can eat aluminum for lunch. I'm sure on stamped trim pieces it isn't as bad as cast aluminum, but it is corrosive stuff!

Looks like experiences differ, based on strength of the solution:
http://www.hdforums.com/forum/detailing/229259-oven-cleaner-on-aluminum-my-worst-nightmare.html
http://www.chemicalforums.com/index.php?topic=208.0
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/used-oven-cleaner-on-aluminum-heads.512338/
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/how-do-you-safely-clean-aluminum-parts/11268/page1/https://traxxas.com/forums/showthread.php?386307-Easy-Off-Oven-Cleaner-on-Aluminum-Parts
http://honda-tech.com/all-motor-nat...eaner-hurt-my-aluminum-cylinder-head-3113524/
http://www.finishing.com/325/37.shtml

One suggestion I saw in one of these links was to try brake fluid to remove the anodized coating.

Definitely try on the back of a bezel before moving to the viewable side.

 

[Jim Sullivan]

I used some cheap oven cleaner when I stripped the anodizing off of the side trim for my 4 door. It took several applications soaking for about 15 minutes before rinsing off. The oven cleaner doesn't eat the aluminum away that fast, at least that's what I've found.

If you do strip your headlight bezels Carmine, You'll, more than likely have to wet sand the pitting out. I started with 320 grit and worked up to 1000 before buffing with two different compounds. I think I started with tripoli the white rouge. Then you will just have to polish them a few times a year for protection.

 

[Austin Bubbletop]

I'm stripping the annodizing from all the aluminum on my 61 right now. What a job! I'm using the Grease and Hair Remover (drain cleaner, black bottle) from Home Depot and then my buffing wheel. I'm getting better at removing dents and pitting too.

 

[409 lever]

I have used the oven cleaner method and the lye, both work the lye works faster. you cannot be a idiot and put parts in the lye mixture and walk away for 6 hours and not expect a disaster. that is why I said you have to babysit it. again you cannot polish it without removing the anodizing first, cant be done.

 

[409 lever]

P.S must use a PLASTIC container or gutter.

 

[Austin Bubbletop]

That's pretty much what I did. The parts do get hot after 20 minutes or so. I found that I can sand away many of the imperfections.

 

[4speedman]

I used some cheap oven cleaner when I stripped the anodizing off of the side trim for my 4 door. It took several applications soaking for about 15 minutes before rinsing off. The oven cleaner doesn't eat the aluminum away that fast, at least that's what I've found.

If you do strip your headlight bezels Carmine, You'll, more than likely have to wet sand the pitting out. I started with 320 grit and worked up to 1000 before buffing with two different compounds. I think I started with tripoli the white rouge. Then you will just have to polish them a few times a year for protection.

This is about how it worked for me, no you should not leave the aluminum in the solution foe long periods of time,just watch and manage it i had no problems with damage.But as stated in an earlier post wear gloves not the blue medical type but good rubber ones,use eye protection and do this where their is good ventlation

 

[oldskydog]

Aluminum wool.

 

[models916]

When I did my friends grille, I built a wooden box to size and lined it with a tarp.

 

[Carmine]

After looking at thread #29, that reminds me that my taillight lenses also might need some attention. I think they are also anodized if that's possible. Some good suggestions and experiences here. Not sure yet what my approach is going to be. Thankfully, its winter and I have time to figure it out. Thanks everyone, Carmine.

 

[ROYALOAK62]

Had all of my aluminum trim done by a shop that specializes in polishing and re-anodizing to stock.
They said they had 3-levels of trim work, I went to the mid level. From the grill on back. Cost around $1200.
Was told the only level that's better was to nickel plate it or something like that.

Dave

 

[Phil Reed]

I'm stripping the annodizing from all the aluminum on my 61 right now. What a job! I'm using the Grease and Hair Remover (drain cleaner, black bottle) from Home Depot and then my buffing wheel. I'm getting better at removing dents and pitting too.

Boy.............that driveway looks familiar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Right Dickie Mac????????????????

 

[Dick MacKenzie]

Now that you mention it, Phil, it does look familiar!

 

[Austin Bubbletop]

lol Hopefully the car does as well! I will never forget you guys hand delivering Ronnie's center chunk. It's been slow going but I am gaining momentum. I've spent the last 2 years finishing my degree plus work and the rest that family life can throw at you. So many people on this board have helped me.