How would you get the brushed trim look?

[71SlammedCam]

Guys, I've been searching for threads that have how you went about to get that brushed look on your stainless and aluminum trim pieces. I've got a 71 Nova that has pieces on it to practice with and I've tried scotchbrite and steel wool, along with different grit sandpaper and wondered how everyone else does it.

If you could enlighten me with your ideas or threads, along with a pic or two I would appreciate it. Thanks Allen

[Fesler built]

Guys, I've been searching for threads that have how you went about to get that brushed look on your stainless and aluminum trim pieces. I've got a 71 Nova that has pieces on it to practice with and I've tried scotchbrite and steel wool, along with different grit sandpaper and wondered how everyone else does it.

If you could enlighten me with your ideas or threads, along with a pic or two I would appreciate it. Thanks Allen


We use Scotchbrite on everything we want to looked brushed, it has a nice finish, not to harsh and looks just right. Sometimes you may have to sand with a 400 or so to get it smooth and then you use the scotchbrite to get the final look.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/04/Img00062-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/04/Img00071-1.jpg

The complete front end, wheels and steering wheel are brushed this way

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/03/Img0036-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/03/Img0116-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/03/Img0075-1.jpg

[71SlammedCam]

Thanks Chris. Your work is out of this world man. I started on the trim piece on the front of the hood and it appears to have a coating that you have to get through first. What is the best way and/or quickest? I know it's going to be time consuming, but it appears to be aluminum that was polished and coated. Is this true?

[Fesler built]

Thanks Chris. Your work is out of this world man. I started on the trim piece on the front of the hood and it appears to have a coating that you have to get through first. What is the best way and/or quickest? I know it's going to be time consuming, but it appears to be aluminum that was polished and coated. Is this true?


Can you shoot a close up and post it up here, some people did polish stuff and then clear them and of clear powder coated them. I dont know if that is what you are seeing. It is very time consuming and will kill your fingers but stick with it and you will get the look you want. Its all in the pressure you push and the grit scotchbrite you use, we use the dark red ones.

[71SlammedCam]

I've been using the red myself. Currently my camera battery is dead, but i'll work on it. It has been very time consuming so far. Could you use a 3" scotchbrite pad (blue or red) on a angle grinder to take the outer finish off and then clean it up with the scotchbrite afterwards? I know it will have the swirls, but i thought they would rub out easier than the way i'm going. Using the blue pads that is. I hope this makes since. I really appreciate your help and respect it.

[oestek]

The factory anodized clear will come off with oven cleaner. Then you can scotchbrite or sand the part.

[JRouche]

I use the red with an angle grinder and it comes out great, no swirl marks as long as you keep the speed down and dont dwell, and stay off the center of the wheel, use the outer 1" on a 3" disc. And I dont use the full 3" rubber backer for a 3" SB disc. I use a 1" backer to allow for some flex and not much bite. They will eat if yer not too careful. It does make a pretty uniform finish, polished almost. So then after the complete cleaning with the angle grinder its a quick process with a hand pad to give it a more scattered look. Alot easier to hand pad it to the desired finish after the grinder prep. JR

[JRouche]

This has got to be the nicest trucks Ive seen. Its sooo different and everything about it just flows. I cant see anything that just doesnt fit. Like it was born from the truck gods. I love the decision to keep the original face theme, modified alot but still says Im a 67 truck.. JR




https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/03/Img0036-1.jpg