Restoring stainless steel trim and door plates

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
In the process of getting the trim ready for a 1949 Hudson Commodore. Using a combination of a buffing wheel, chrome polish, and simachrome to clean and polish the stainless steel trim. The door plates seem to be made from aluminum. The buffing wheel is difficult to use on these. I have resorted to 240 grit wet/dry sandpaper to remove the surface crud, then use a combination of rubbing compound, lacquer thinner, chrome cleaner and simachrome, then the buffing wheel to bring out some sort of shine. Is there a better process for these parts?



BST RGDS

GARY ( happychris )

Comments

  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    well....you could buy new step plates, if you have 3 or 4 hundred dollars to spend!!
  • rambos_ride
    rambos_ride Senior Contributor
    happychris

    Unless you are trying to restore to #1 condition I would get a set of the reproductions

    If you follow this ealier thread someone posts a nice picture of what the reproductions look like...

    http://www.classiccar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3836&highlight=door+sill
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    where can I purchase reproductions for the stainless mouldings for the 49 super six 4 door sedan?
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    21st century Hudson has been making some stainless,
    Roger
  • Kdancy
    Kdancy Senior Contributor
    edited October 2012
    I usually start with 400 or 600 grit wet paper and work up to 2000 sometimes 4000 before using the simachrome or similar polish.
    A DA with 3/32 cut and 3" pad using Abralon pads works wonders. Very much the same procedure when color sanding and buffing out a paint job.
  • russmaas
    russmaas Senior Contributor
    Door sills are being remade by Doorsills Inc. 973-423-1196. Expect 5-6 month wait, but are excellent show quality sills around $250 for a coupe set $300 four a 4 door.
  • dougson
    dougson Senior Contributor
    Thanks Russ.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    edited October 2012
    I plan to change electrical to 12v and put in a chevy engine, A/C to make my 49 super six 4 door sedan a driver car. Anyone have any suggestions before I see the mechanic? Still haven't found any stainless rocker panel mouldings.

    don brown
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    i have a question ,why do you think you cant drive a car with a hudson motor in it? It has to have a chevy motor to be "Driver" ?.
    I drive my Hudson antwhere I want to go ,as fast as I want to go. If you want a/c and 12 -volt you can do that. If you want an automatic the Hydromatic is indesructable if you understand it.
    You can get all the help you need to keep your Hudson running here . I just dont see why you dont want to keep it a Hudson.
    I may be a little predjudical as I'm the local Hudson dealer and have all the parts to keep one going . And thats the point the parts are available and if you know what to ask for at the part store they useualy have your item they just dont know it,
    Roger
  • Nevada Hudson
    Nevada Hudson Senior Contributor
    Why not just get a chevy?
  • Nevada Hudson
    Nevada Hudson Senior Contributor
    Anyway, I use aluminum jelly on the door plates and they end up looking like new. Don't leave it on too long as it will corrode. Does not take off the painted triangles if not left on too long. Another thing that works is brillo pads, with plenty of the soap in them.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I didnt mean to sound closed minded , It just bothers me when I hear things put that way. "To make it a DRIVER"
    Roger
  • hoggyrubber
    hoggyrubber Expert Adviser
    well, i had a chevy engine in mine for a while- till i found a hornet motor. it had several problems with the setup, which i did myself, that made it less than ideal. can't blame anyone but myself for that. so you could say i took the chevy engine out, put a hudson engine in and converted back to 6 volt to make mine a driver. ;)
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I'm almost convinced to keep the hudson motor, but how available are the automatic transmissions? I'm sure they are available. Hydromatics indestructible, that sounds good, am sure I can learn to understand it.

    Great info, thanks to all those that offered their experience and expertise.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Gus Susa is the club expert on the Hydromatic , has ad in WTN all the time .I have not realy paid attention to the exact price lately but I think his rebuilt unit is about $1400.00 .
    And by understand it I mean its not like a modern type automatic. There is no "Park" on it you put it in reverse when you park it and use the parking brake . Also it has bands inside that may require adjusting at times ,does not mean the unit is going bad just needs adjustment,
    Roger
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I am most fammiliar with the newer Hudsons ans dont have much parts for any older than 1940 . I assume by being a member you mean of the HET club. If not I would join the club and start checking the ads in the back. Contact the person or persons listed as specialising in your era of Hudson in the magazine. And place an ad in the WTN with your wants as far as parts you cant find. I do have some basic things like a few older engines but not much older than 37.
    Alex Burr has a long list of parts ,repair ,and owners manuals on line too that can be easily accessed,
    Roger
  • DavidC
    DavidC Senior Contributor
    This post used to be about polishing stainless, etc. Still haven't found anything better than 3 different buffing wheels and compounds. See Eastwood's website for guidance.
  • Kdancy
    Kdancy Senior Contributor
    http://www.studebakerdriversclub.com/techtips.asp
    Go to the stainless restoration links on this page for helpful info-
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