[Keith True]

I just did a set of sill plates yesterday,with vinegar.They had been painted black in my Tudor,but laquer thinner ate that right off.They were pretty ugly after that though.I was filing a chainsaw in the shop and had a bright idea.I found the plates would fit into the plastic bar cover perfectly.I filled the cover with vinegar,stuck it upright in the vise,and left it.I had never done it before so for the first hour I pulled the plates out every five minutes.I think I soaked them for about two hours total,now they have a nice soft pewter-like finish.They must have been polished at some time,as the top has a much brighter sheen than the backside.I don't know how it would work on running board trim,as you can't soak it.I did try rubbing the plates with a vinegar soaked rag,but it took 15 minutes just to get a stain on the rag.