Polishing Windows and Trim

[LeeA]

What's the easiest way to polish window frames and trim work? I've gotten the skin just about done but now the windows look like crap. I can't get my buffer/polisher into the corners. I'm thinking about a buffing wheel on an electric drill.

Lee

[overlander64]

Greetings Lee!

Welcome to the Forums!

You might consider trying a Dremel tool with the polishing kit. I recently purchased a polishing kit for my Dremel tool at Wal Mart to use when polishing the trim on my collector cars. It works very well for the detail work that I have encountered with the grill on my '84 Cadillac Eldorado. I haven't tried on the Airstream as I had the Ruths polish and Plasticoat the trailer a little over 18 months ago.

Kevin

[Chas]

I have the same problem. I don't really look forward to doing such detail polishing so I'm just gonna use steel wool on the trim. Petermh, one of our moderators told me about it's use. It should get rid of the black residue and shine it up a bit as well.

Can anyone tell that I've had enough of the polishing yet?

Chas

[LeeA]

I've read not to use steel wool. Something about the steel getting imbedded in the aluminum and then rusting.

Lee

[Pahaska]

I suggest bronze wool rather than steel wool. Bronze wool is what is used on homebuilt aircraft to prepare an aluminum surface for bonding. This came from my friendly A&E mechanic.

[Chas]

Maybe it was stainless steel wool?? I guess the regular steel wool would be messy and leave a lot of residue.

Chas

[InsideOut]

While Rob has been compounding the trailer with Nuvite "C", I have been using "C" and a 6" wheel on an electric drill to polish the door & window jambs. I'm also using my Foredom (similar to a Dremmel tool) to get into the tiny places that the larger tools can't. Works like a charm!

I've heard the same about steel or stainless steel wool, for that matter ANY dissimilar metal on aluminum. Eventually, it'll cause rust or corrosion. For some of the really tough scratched areas that need "extra work" we have been using the plastic Scotch Brite pads that come in different grades and can be found at an automotive painter's supply store. We only use the fine & extra fine grades, before compounding. Works well...

Shari