Cleaning Zinc running board trim
 

After reading many, many posts on claening Zinc (i.e. using lemons, rubbing on tomato paste, using vinager, etc, etc.) I tried using some aluminum cleaner I had on hand. It worked great. I brushed on the jelly-like cleaner, let it set for 5 minutes, then scrubbed it with a fine 3M scotch brite pad (red or gray). Very little scrubbing was needed. Then I removed the cleaner with a wet towel. It removed all the white and dark gray corrosion and left the Zinc a dull aluminum color. I then used some Blue Magic chrome polish to bring back the shine. Each running board took about 30 minutes to complete and turned out great.

Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim
 

You are right about that, it turned out great!

Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim
 

Lemon, tomato, and vinegar are all acids. What you did was remove the protecting zinc coating.

Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim
 

I thought runningboard trim was solid zinc, not a zinc coating. I think the whitish material that forms on the trim and looks bad was an oxide. I thought the chemicals just removed the oxide coating and not much or any underlying zinc.
Rusty Nelson

Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim
 

Your right as is 59mgaguy. Zinc with create this coating to protect it's self, sort of line the green coating you get on copper.

Your cleaning removed the coating like polishing will remove the green coating of copper.

Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim
 

Just courious...is the trim original or reproduction?

If repro...do we know if the repro is made of the same substance as the original?

Pluck

Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim
 

These were repo running boards that came with the car. They were stored uncovered in a barn since 1995. I think they came from Mac's as most all the other new parts the PO bought came from there. Whatever they're made of (zinc, zinc alloy, chinese steel,:confused: etc.) they sure look better than those nasty stains. A power buffer with rubbing compound wouldn't remove them. I'm happy!!!:)

Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim
 

Since you removed the zinc you'll find that the steel underneath will rust a lot faster. So you'll have to keep up with the polishing of the RB trim.
As for the green coating on copper it's oxidation not a protective coating. But I understand what you were trying to say.

Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim
 

Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim
 

VWJoe, your garage floor is so clean I'm sure your Model A doesn't spend much time there.

Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim
 

Try Never-Dull used it since I was a kid.

Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim
 

Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim
 

Bill, I just did my nickle headlights on my 29 2 days ago with brass, and it worked well.
Oh darn, I just realized that I was looking at a 4 year old post.

Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim
 

Timely question as we just did ours with Mothers Mag Wheel polish in one step. Wonderful product that even shines up plastic head light lenses and other elements as it's not too abrasive. Most local parts stores should have it.

Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim
 

"bout" that Duke quote : Really is "A man has to do what he has to do" ...

Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim
 

That did turn out nice! I am in the process of doing the same job, I'm using FLITZ Metal Polish with 0000 steel wool to start and ending with just the polish. Looking almost as good as new. Have had a quart can of this stuff for almost 15 years, got it at Oshkosh WI Air show. Also got the blue buffer that you put on your drill motor.

http://www.flitz.com/

Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim
 

After cleaning, give it a spray-can coat of clear lacquer to keep the oxidizing from coming back.

Re: Cleaning Zinc running board trim
 

I've "heard" to clean headlight reflectors, just use a DAMP CHAMOIS???
Bill Shine