 How to Polish Windshield Trim, Will Windshield Trim Polish |
|
|
|
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG.
This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way. Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. |
|
|
| matchpoint |
 Nov 2 2016, 12:21 PM
Post
#1
|
|
Newbie  Group: Members Posts: 16 Joined: 19-March 16 From: Oregon Member No.: 19,783 Region Association: Pacific Northwest  |
I have not tried it yet but does anyone have any experience trying to polish 914 OE windshield trim. I understand the aluminum trim is anodized wish a thin film of chrome. I have tried to sand this kind of stuff before and all you see is the surface chrome turn black. It may be the black is coming from the aluminum just below the chrome when sanding. I am wondering if all the anodized chrome was sanded off first it would be possible to polish the aluminum trim just like an aluminum wheel. I was told that using a small Dremel wheel and jewelery polish it is possible to polish 914 windshield trim. Anyone been down this road............
Thanks |
   |
 
|
  |
Replies(1 - 16)
| TheCabinetmaker |
Nov 2 2016, 01:32 PM
Post
#2
|
|
I drive my car everyday Group: Members Posts: 8,300 Joined: 8-May 03 From: Tulsa, Ok. Member No.: 666 |
I did a decent job of polishing with mothers polish and a 3" foam buffing pad on a drill. Tape off both windshield and paint first. Don't do it off the car. You'll bend it.
|
|
|
|
| mepstein |
Nov 2 2016, 01:53 PM
Post
#3
|
|
914-6 GT in waiting Group: Members Posts: 19,274 Joined: 19-September 09 From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE Member No.: 10,825 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region 
|
Buy new. 914rubber.com
|
 |
|
| wes |
Nov 2 2016, 02:00 PM
Post
#4
|
|
wes Group: Members Posts: 1,588 Joined: 8-December 07 From: Ukiah Ca Member No.: 8,436 Region Association: Northern California
|
QUOTE(mepstein @ Nov 2 2016, 12:53 PM)  Buy new. 914rubber.com Wow didn't know they had the aluminum trim! |
|
|
|
| wes |
Nov 2 2016, 02:04 PM
Post
#5
|
|
wes Group: Members Posts: 1,588 Joined: 8-December 07 From: Ukiah Ca Member No.: 8,436 Region Association: Northern California
|
I bought my windshield trim from Porsche not cheap but they have it. Before that I bought some from AA they claim to be the same as Porsche but it blew off the first time I had a little speed on the car, not a good fit.
|
|
|
|
| 76-914 |
Nov 2 2016, 05:21 PM
Post
#6
|
|
Repeat Offender & Resident Subaru Antagonist Group: Members Posts: 13,502 Joined: 23-January 09 From: Temecula, CA Member No.: 9,964 Region Association: Southern California
|
QUOTE(The Cabinetmaker @ Nov 2 2016, 12:32 PM) I did a decent job of polishing with mothers polish and a 3" foam buffing pad on a drill. Tape off both windshield and paint first. Don't do it off the car. You'll bend it. Does it matter who's Mother or just any mother's polish. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) |
|
|
|
| Rob-O |
Nov 2 2016, 09:50 PM
Post
#7
|
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,252 Joined: 5-December 03 From: Mansfield, TX Member No.: 1,419 Region Association: Southwest Region
|
The brightwork trim on our cars is aluminum that has been anodized, no chrome. I won't go into anodization process (Google it for more info) but there is no chrome on those pieces. The anodization is a hard coating that was applied over the aluminum to keep it looking, well, bright. If the coating wasn't on the aluminum it would need periodic polishing in order for it to keep its bright appearance. Mother's and other aluminum polishes are made specifically for those pieces of aluminum that are not protected, like old aluminum wheels for example. Without a coating, aluminum will oxidize and become dull.
Chrome, a completely different process, would provide a bright finish that needs no further work to protect it. In other words, chrome wouldn't require anodization. For your windshield trim it is possible to remove the anodization. You may have already done this by sanding the trim. Or you can use a chemical process to remove it. But if you don't protect the aluminum by re coating it (anodization, clear powder coat, clear rattle can paint), it will eventually dull. How quickly depends on what the aluminum sees as far as water, air, chemicals, atmospheric fallout (bird droppings,etc.). |
|
|
|
| TheCabinetmaker |
Nov 3 2016, 03:23 PM
Post
#8
|
|
I drive my car everyday Group: Members Posts: 8,300 Joined: 8-May 03 From: Tulsa, Ok. Member No.: 666 |
QUOTE(76-914 @ Nov 2 2016, 06:21 PM) QUOTE(The Cabinetmaker @ Nov 2 2016, 12:32 PM) I did a decent job of polishing with mothers polish and a 3" foam buffing pad on a drill. Tape off both windshield and paint first. Don't do it off the car. You'll bend it. Does it matter who's Mother or just any mother's polish. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) Well, my mother of course. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) |
|
|
|
| Rand |
Nov 3 2016, 04:02 PM
Post
#9
|
|
Cross Member Group: Members Posts: 7,409 Joined: 8-February 05 From: OR Member No.: 3,573 Region Association: None |
I know it's off topic a little, but just throwing it out there... I prefer the look of black rubber trim over a shiny bling strip any day. Just something to keep in mind as another option.
|
|
|
|
| sb914 |
Nov 3 2016, 05:31 PM
Post
#10
|
|
Surf Guru Group: Members Posts: 4,303 Joined: 25-November 12 From: Brookings,Oregon Member No.: 15,191 Region Association: Southern California
|
QUOTE(Rand @ Nov 3 2016, 03:02 PM) I know it's off topic a little, but just throwing it out there... I prefer the look of black rubber trim over a shiny bling strip any day. Just something to keep in mind as another option. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) |
|
|
|
| Mikey914 |
Nov 3 2016, 05:32 PM
Post
#11
|
|
The rubber man Group: Members Posts: 12,669 Joined: 27-December 04 From: Hillsboro, OR Member No.: 3,348 Region Association: None
|
I have one on each car, the aluminum is a pain I actually like the rubber better.
|
|
|
|
| Rand |
Nov 3 2016, 05:41 PM
Post
#12
|
|
Cross Member Group: Members Posts: 7,409 Joined: 8-February 05 From: OR Member No.: 3,573 Region Association: None |
QUOTE(Mikey914 @ Nov 3 2016, 04:32 PM) ...I actually like the rubber better. This is a first. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif) Joking aside, I'll never go back to metal trim. |
|
|
|
| 76-914 |
Nov 3 2016, 06:59 PM
Post
#13
|
|
Repeat Offender & Resident Subaru Antagonist Group: Members Posts: 13,502 Joined: 23-January 09 From: Temecula, CA Member No.: 9,964 Region Association: Southern California
|
Alright, I'll be the odd man out. I too have one of each. I loved the Cal look black rubber on my Ghia but not on my 76 914. When it gets refreshed I'll go back to the aluminum like my 73. Thank God we have choices.
|
|
|
|
| Cracker |
Nov 3 2016, 07:07 PM
Post
#14
|
|
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,148 Joined: 2-February 10 From: Atlanta (area) Member No.: 11,316 Region Association: South East States
|
But do they make the Targa trim? I could use those three pieces...
Tony QUOTE(mepstein @ Nov 2 2016, 03:53 PM) Buy new. 914rubber.com |
|
|
|
| matchpoint |
Nov 3 2016, 11:06 PM
Post
#15
|
|
Newbie Group: Members Posts: 16 Joined: 19-March 16 From: Oregon Member No.: 19,783 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
QUOTE(Rand @ Nov 3 2016, 03:02 PM) I know it's off topic a little, but just throwing it out there... I prefer the look of black rubber trim over a shiny bling strip any day. Just something to keep in mind as another option. I also like the look of the black rubber trim on the windshield. The problem is the black rubber trim requires the glass to be urethane glued vs butyl and the rubber trim that 914Rubber sells is almost impossible to make the bottom corner glass bends without the rubber pooching up on the bottom corners. The other issue is with the rubber trim and urethane glue job is is necessary to spray the inside edges of the glass to cover or conceal the urethane uneven swell when you push the glass to its proper depth. Rubber sounds great but lots of problems to make look correct. The chrome trim is also very difficult to install and stay together and look good. |
|
|
|
| IronHillRestorations |
Nov 4 2016, 08:06 AM
Post
#16
|
|
I. I. R. C. Group: Members Posts: 6,719 Joined: 18-March 03 From: West TN Member No.: 439 Region Association: None
|
Sand with 600, then 1000, and then polish with buffing wheel and compound. It's easy to bend and deform it when polishing, so be careful. I did this on a cost conscious restoration 30 years ago, before you could get the rubber.
It's much easier to sand and paint black, but I'm personally not a fan of that look, but the smaller black rubber looks OK to me. Anodizing isn't chrome and sands off fairly easily with 600 sand paper, If your chrome has been pried off a bit to aggressively the black plastic retaining clips could be damaged and not hold the trim very well. Always replace the clips when you take out the windshield. |
|
|
|
| Rob-O |
Nov 4 2016, 10:51 AM
Post
#17
|
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,252 Joined: 5-December 03 From: Mansfield, TX Member No.: 1,419 Region Association: Southwest Region
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:
|
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 18th May 2024 - 08:57 PM |
Invision Power Board
v9.1.4 © 2024 IPS, Inc.