[gzman]

Happy New Year to all!

What to do when the front window trim needs some TLC?

It's a brushed aluminum finish but is discolored in several places (see photos)

Can it be effective polished or does it simply need to be replaced?

Thanks

 

[bellagt]

I’m pretty sure the glue-in windshield trim is anodized aluminum. The finish is purposely matte, to meet the DOT requirements for non-glare surfaces in the driver’s line of sight.

Polishing the trim won’t remove the patina such that it will match the unaffected areas; replacing the trim has more downside than upside issues. Finding NOS replacement trim is like searching for the Holy Grail, and removing the existing trim will likely bend it. Painting it might be an option, since the trim was never bright/shiny. But I’ve never seen or heard of anyone successfully taking that approach.

 

[WA-Alfa]

they can be re-anodized however the difficulty would be in re-fitting after removal - apparently this can be quite challenging. If you are extremely careful you may have luck - the trick is not to stretch or bend the trim during removal/re-fit

 

[f4driver]

I have had good luck using chrome polish on mine (very carefully..lite pressure)
Chuck

 

[gzman]

I have had good luck using chrome polish on mine (very carefully..lite pressure)
Chuck

I have seen some new replacement online but very pricey. at the moment using polish and elbow grease