Stainless Parts Restoration

Unless you have a lot of time and money, think about doing it yourself. After I got a $700 estimate with no firm delivery date for the grille bars on my '48 Seagrave, I bought a buffer, some miscellaneous rouge, and spent a weekend learning how to buff it out. The buffing and polishing is relatively easy, while dent removal take a bit of skill and practice.
 
If you do it yourself be sure to buy the correct rouge for stainless from one of the suppliers that advertise in the automotive magazines, not the local hardware store with their one size fits none. One of the Model A restoration books has a good article but I don't know off hand which one.

Charlie Stephens
 
Charlie Stephens said:
If you do it yourself be sure to buy the correct rouge for stainless from one of the suppliers that advertise in the automotive magazines, not the local hardware store with their one size fits none. One of the Model A restoration books has a good article but I don't know off hand which one.

Charlie Stephens
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Charlie's right of course. There are several of the specialty manufacturers (Caswell comes to mind) that have a full selection of abrasive products. It's kind of amazing the variety that is available and the specialization they provide.
 
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Polishing is not the problem, dents, dings and scratches are, so I need to find someone who can tap out the damage and then polish everything. I worked on some parts and I not satisfied with the results, if I keep going Im afraid I'll do more damage than good. Do plating shops do this kind of work? Thanks,
 
BoxCar Tom said:
Polishing is not the problem, dents, dings and scratches are, so I need to find someone who can tap out the damage and then polish everything. I worked on some parts and I not satisfied with the results, if I keep going Im afraid I'll do more damage than good. Do plating shops do this kind of work? Thanks,
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Yes, some plating shops provide stainless repair and restoration. If they don't then maybe they can steer you in the right direction rather than tell you to do it yourself.

This is one shop located in PA that provides SS repair-------
http://www.paulschrome.com/index.php/stainless-trim-repair
 
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I tap dents out with a very small hammer on a piece of wood or rubber. Slow is the word.
A piece of wood shaped correctly will ease out a lot of dents
 
On those dents/dings use your body hammers and reshape them. A small detail hammer with a pick is a good choice and file any highs. Then I usually start with 240 to 320 to 400 to 500 to 600 to 700 to 800 grit paper by hand. Each paper size remove the previous size scratches. Then start with an orbital sander at 1000 to 1500 to 2000 to 2500 to 3000, same thing, remove previous scratches. Then hit with your cutting compound (black) and then polishing compound (green) from caswell. Pay attention to the wheels used, it matters. Totally possible to get a mirror finish on your own.

JB
 
You're a bit too far away, Tom, but I had all the Stainless from my 56 Ford Crown Victoria
(and there is a LOT) polished and dents removed for about $1200 bucks by a local Chrome Plater here in Norcal. Considering the amount of work, I felt the price was very fair & it looks better than it did when new
Jim
 
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I had a guy years ago do a set of spyder hubcaps for me,beautifull work. Brightworks Restoration in Fall River Mass.508 646-6690 or 508-672-5931. Joe Grace was the one doing stainless for years but then his son took over and he was the one who actually did my work,very good and reasonable . I hope they are still in business as I would like to send my newly acquired '31 radiator shell to them.Like others I can buff and polish but Steve Grace was really good and getting the curb rash off my spyders.Please let me know if you contact and if they are still in business.
 
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