Rejuvenate stainless steel?

[thecantaloupeman]

Does anyone know a good way to make crappy stainless steel look good again? I thought about spray paint but that seems to simple and I have a feeling it won’t look much better.

Some of the stainless steel just wipes off with soap and water especially when I cleaned the vents they are plain black now. And I recently got an instrument bezel and cleaned it with spray nine only for it to wipe away and there to be white underneath. I am curious to know if it’s black/white plastic from the factory and they just paint it on somehow. And if so how can I do the same to rejuvenate it?

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[Craig 85]

The dash bezel you have is for an 84 and up truck. It was cut to fit an earlier dash. That piece of stainless is available for about $45-50.

I used a Molotow chrome pen for the surrounds on my gauges. I removed the piece of "stainless" and luckily there is no damage to the underlying plastic face. I will be installing a replacement once I paint the truck.

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[thecantaloupeman]

The dash bezel you have is for an 84 and up truck. It was cut to fit an earlier dash. That piece of stainless is available for about $45-50.

I used a Molotow chrome pen for the surrounds on my gauges. I removed the piece of "stainless" and luckily there is no damage to the underlying plastic face. I will be installing a replacement once I paint the truck.

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I knew it was form an 80s truck but he cut the light switch to get it to fit in his 76. Either way it is in better shape than the old one. The old one I don't even think had removable stainless steel. How did you get yours off?

 

[Craig 85]

. How did you get yours off?

Luckily mine sat in the California heat for many years and the glue was pretty shot. If you can let it sit in the sun first it will make it easier. I slowly worked with a putty knife and it came off looking as you see it.

 

[ali_c20]

You could use car wrap film. The are nice brushed metal films available. I used it for my tailgate band it worked great and you can't tell that it's a film.

 

[thecantaloupeman]

You could use car wrap film. The are nice brushed metal films available. I used it for my tailgate band it worked great and you can't tell that it's a film.

Does 3M make it? Where did you get yours from? Was it just a self adhesive backing?

 

[chengny]

That's not hardly stainless steel. As you found out, the factory trim is a very thin coating over a plastic substrate - it's not able to be restored. Once it is oxidized, there is nothing you can do to save it.

Try one of these maybe. It's a brushed aluminum overlay/insert. Comes with a 3M peel & stick backing. Unlike the original piece, these are made out of a thin sheet of real aluminum. Just remove the old trim, peel the paper off the new one. The adhesive will be exposed. Line it up carefully and, starting at one side, press it firmly onto the bezel.

In stock at Classicparts.com for $45.

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https://www.classicparts.com/1981-91-Instrument-Bezel-Insert-Brushed-Aluminum/productinfo/24-189A/#
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[ali_c20]

Does 3M make it? Where did you get yours from? Was it just a self adhesive backing?

I got it from car wrap shop, it was a left over and I got it for 10$. It's self adhesive backing and sticks like hell got it right at the second attempt. I'm not sure if it is 3m but it's a quality product, you can feel the brush structure.

 

[ali_c20]

That's not hardly stainless steel. As you found out, the factory trim is a very thin coating over a plastic substrate - it's not able to be restored. Once it is oxidized, there is nothing you can do to save it.

Try one of these maybe. It's a brushed aluminum overlay/insert. Comes with a 3M peel & stick backing. Unlike the original piece, these are made out of a thin sheet of real aluminum. Just remove the old trim, peel the paper off the new one. The adhesive will be exposed. Line it up carefully and, starting at one side, press it firmly onto the bezel.

In stock at Classicparts.com for $45.

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https://www.classicparts.com/1981-91-Instrument-Bezel-Insert-Brushed-Aluminum/productinfo/24-189A/#
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That looks good and you don't have to hassle with cutting the film etc.

 

[80BrownK10]

I don't think $45 is a bad price either.

That's not hardly stainless steel. As you found out, the factory trim is a very thin coating over a plastic substrate - it's not able to be restored. Once it is oxidized, there is nothing you can do to save it.

Try one of these maybe. It's a brushed aluminum overlay/insert. Comes with a 3M peel & stick backing. Unlike the original piece, these are made out of a thin sheet of real aluminum. Just remove the old trim, peel the paper off the new one. The adhesive will be exposed. Line it up carefully and, starting at one side, press it firmly onto the bezel.

In stock at Classicparts.com for $45.

You must be registered for see images attach

https://www.classicparts.com/1981-91-Instrument-Bezel-Insert-Brushed-Aluminum/productinfo/24-189A/#
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