zink running board trim

[glenn in camino]

I think I read this someware. What should I use to clean my original zink running board trim strips

[Gary Karr]

Glenn, try Flitz Metal Polish

[peters180a/170b]

Some of us use Naval Jelly . works very well...

[pat in Santa Cruz]

I seem to remember once hearing Coca Cola works well. Given its high in phosphoric acid, I imagine it might.

[Doug in NJ]

Has anybody ever Soda Blasted the zinc trim? Is it safe?

Thanks,
Doug

[Richard in Anaheim CA]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I wouldn't use Coke or phosphoric acid.

Zinc is very reactive and might be damaged very quickly. Maybe try a little on the back where it wouldn't show?

Zinc is what is used as a sacrificial anode to protect aluminum in a cooling system like aluminum head on cast iron block.

Hmm, what's Coke doing to our stomachs?

Richard
Anaheim CA

[Steve Plucker]

I have used just plain White Distilled Vinegar with great results by soaking for a few hours then with a very fine 3M pad to bring out the zinc luster.

Pluck

[Grampy]

I just cleaned mine this afternoon using light rubbing compound applied with a dry sponge for a little abrasiveness. Then buffed it off with 0000 steel wool. They look great!

[Robert]

Steve Plucker is correct. White distilled vinegar will do the trick. I was in the house paint business for years and recall that the old time painters used vinegar to clean galvanized gutters before painting-worked great.

[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.

[Steve Plucker]

Originally Posted by Keith True

I just did a set of sill plates yesterday,with vinegar.They had been painted black in my Tudor,but lacquer 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.

Keith...

I took a piece of PVC pipe, filled it with Distiled White Vinegar and soaked the strips (28-29) that way...worked great.

Pluck

[Keith True]

For some reason I was thinking they were still on the car.I don't know why I thought that,he didn't say whether they were on or off.Off the car the PVC tube would work nice,you don't need to pour in a gallon of vinegar to use one cup.

[glenn in camino]

They are still on the car. My black coupe that I restored in 1978.

[CaceyB]

Originally Posted by Richard in Anaheim CA

Hmm, what's Coke doing to our stomachs?

I suppose that would depend on what your stomach is made of.

[peters180a/170b]

COKE or Pepsi ?? is that with or without ice???