Molding and Trim

[Candia4441]

Speedway did a great job of removing some deep scratches on a couple of my parts
If your parts are in great condition you could probably do this yourself or 'locally' if you can find someone competent in Cerakote
I have read oven cleaner works to remove anodizing but I have not tried it yet

it works I tried BBQ cleaner removes anodize and you have clean aluminum and you can polish but the shine goes away quick every mount you have to polish to have a shiny molding

 

[mark99]

I don't think there is any tin involved in anodizing, well actually sure of that
On polished aluminum getting dull after some time, that is what we are telling you, have it clear ceramic coated, not clear paint, not clear powder coat
The 'big' brand name in ceramic coating (for this type of stuff) is Cerakote

 

[HB Chris]

I think he meant thin, not tin

 

[mark99]

you are right they don't chrome they call it anodized there is tin layer over aluminum and is shine like chrome.

maybe you meant 'thin' layer, it is a layer of oxide

 

[mark99]

I think he meant thin, not tin

you beat me to it...

 

[mark99]

that 'King of Trim' does look like they know what they are doing, I might get a quote

 

[sfdon]

We are currently doing about 10 cars of trim with a crew - no chromatic anodizing. Polish has been best for us.

 

[Candia4441]

I think he meant thin, not tin

sorry it was miss spell

that 'King of Trim' does look like they know what they are doing, I might get a quote

they are very expensive there price is high

 

[Candia4441]

I don't think there is any tin involved in anodizing, well actually sure of that
On polished aluminum getting dull after some time, that is what we are telling you, have it clear ceramic coated, not clear paint, not clear powder coat
The 'big' brand name in ceramic coating (for this type of stuff) is Cerakote

thank you so much

 

[mark99]

sorry it was miss spell

they are very expensive there price is high

I have some motorcycle rims that were originally anodized, but not bright like BMW trim, I want to see if they can replicate that
If they were shinny I would just polish them

 

[mark99]

thank you so much

Cerakote is incredibly tough, hard to remove, and it doesn't look like clear paint, does not really change the look of the aluminum in any noticeable way
You want to find a place that knows how to do it properly, I had a certified place do my valve cover and they got a run in it

 

[eriknetherlands]

Not sure have you are having them do, the aluminum parts should not be chromed, for instance, the part between the tail lights is polished aluminum, (unless you have a very early car, maybe a 200CS), don't chrome these aluminum parts

I doubt that the alu part between the tail light is just polished. The 3 alu parts i've seen were definitly anodized. This is appearent due to the crazing that occurs when anodized parts are bent. All the of the parts had some dents, and all 3 had these noticeble crazing.

Erik

 

[mark99]

I doubt that the alu part between the tail light is just polished. The 3 alu parts i've seen were definitly anodized. This is appearent due to the crazing that occurs when anodized parts are bent. All the of the parts had some dents, and all 3 had these noticeble crazing.

Erik

Right I meant polished vs. chromed, so originally polished and anodized, my car polished and ceramic coated

 

[Johnny D]

Speedway polished and cerakoted my belt line trim 10 years ago. It still looks perfect!
Much more cost effective than buying new from BMW and it fits.
View attachment 123722

What a beauty. Absolutely beautiful

 

[nosmonkey]

De anodised, polished then sealed with a high quality alloy sealant would also work.

 

[coupesport]

I have read oven cleaner works to remove anodizing but I have not tried it yet

West Coast Customs has a Youtube video where he uses Easy-off oven cleaner. Lye is the acid ingredient that remove the anodized surface and from what I've read you can go with Lye and water solution mixed at home or with Draino or Easyoff.... Easy-off is on the lighter side so that is why I went that route.