Cleaning Zinc running board trim

VWJoe

VWJoe

Member
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.
 

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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
 
wrndln said:
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
Click to expand...

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.
 
VWJoe said:
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.
Click to expand...

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
 
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!!!:)
 
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.
 
Think I'll try Wright's Silver Cleaner, wonder if it would be "safe" for my nickle plated headlights?? I've never polished them yet. I'm afraid to try "Brasso"! Bill W.
 
VWJoe, your garage floor is so clean I'm sure your Model A doesn't spend much time there.
 
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.
 
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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.
 
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/
 
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