Can painted door trim be polished?

[b-body-bob]

My parts car has low-level interior in it so it came with painted trim above the interior door panels. Has anyone tried polishing that, or am I going to have to either paint it black and live with it or find some factory shiny parts?

 

[dave5237]

I dont know what kind of car you have but even HIGH level cars had painted trim painted above the door panels ( MINE IS A 68 GTX, A HIGH END CAR AND MY TRIM IS PAINTED ) You can buff the painted trim panels with good success. Good luck.

 

[b-body-bob]

This is going on a 69 road runner. My last b-body was a 70 gTx and it had chrome there, front and back. Good to hear they can be buffed. I'll trade my time for money every time.

 

[Moparparts]

I believe you are referring to the molding above the door panels not the upper structure panels. The moldings should have already been a somewhat gloss finish on the low price interior from the factory to match what is on the upper structure and if yours are dull they either where refinished flat black by a previous owner or for some reason faded. Buffing would depend on if they are still the original factory paint or other paint put on there

 

[MarPar]

Bob, you talkin bout the painted part or da little strip above the panel?

either way you can buff it...

if you're talkin bout da painted part, treat it like you would any paint (provided the paint's not thin) cut it, then wax it! Mario

 

[b-body-bob]

I'm talking about the thin strip that the top of the door and side panels slip under. The attached photo shows it.

That's my el-cheapo Belvedere I parts car. My road runner had nothing, because it was a gutted out race car. I'm pretty sure it should be shiny on a 69 road runner with a wood wheel and higher level upholstery.

So, I'm asking if I can strip the paint off that trim, then buff it to a shine?

Or, are the shiny parts actually made of different stuff (maybe stainless) than the painted parts are, so I need to find the right parts?

Or, am I wrong, and the trim should be re-painted to match the upper door frame like the parts car is?

 

[Propwash]

Bob,

Check the backside of the trim or use a magnet to confirm it is Stainless Steel. My Coronet and Roadrunner have that trim but it is all polished stainless. If it is stainless, like the other gent's said, it can definitely be polished up. I think I have a couple spare pieces if you need a piece or two. As far as the buffing it's pretty easy. I taught myself a few years back after reading a small book and asking lots of questions. Spend around $50-100 for a bench buffer, buy the wheel/compound kit from Eastwood or TP tools and you're ready to rock. Do a good job and all the stainless on your car can/will look like chrome.

 

[b-body-bob]

Thanks, I hadn't thought of using a magnet.

I'm a way from needing it anyway, but thought of it and realized I need to find out so it's not a last minute search.

 

[b-body-bob]

FWIW, it is magnetic. but so is the trim that goes around the front and rear glass. From web searches, stainless is not necessarily non-magnetic.

They are painted on all sides so I will have to get the paint off to know what's under there and I'm not sure I'll even know then. But at least I found all four pieces of trim which is an accomplishment in that disaster area I call a garage.

 

[dave5237]

Hello. All the roof rail molding,window trim front and back is 400 series stainless which is magnetic ( look how well that polishes up) NOW WE ALL KNOW WHAT YOUR TRIM YOUR TALKING ABOUT. 400 series stainless is magnetic but still can be polished up nice. 300 series stainless is NON-MAGNETIC. Good luck.

 

[Propwash]

Wow, a stainless with carbon to/over 400, suprised it doesn't rust. I suppose, ma mopar was looking to save a buck vs. buying the 304/306/316. I guess we should just thank our lucky stars it's not pot metal..lol Thanks for posting guys...learn something new everyday