Bright work

[Curt Hammill]

Question on the best way to recondition the bright work on my 1969 911

Front and rear window aluminum?

Rear side window aluminum?

Did the Porsche factory clear anodize or chrome the aluminum bright work, or is it just polished?

Thanks in advance

[edmayo]

Curt, it's all bright dip anodized. "King of Trim" a Esses advertiser can do all this, and we have used them several times now. Not cheap, but it is the correct finish that not many places can do.

By the way, I see your brother Jeff periodically, most recently at the Maverick Region Founder's Day party last month.

[Curt Hammill]

Thanks for the info,

Jeff,s projects are coming along, his 911 race motor can be re installed, hope he will have it on the track soon. His 30 year project with his 59 356D has the new motor installed and metal work completed and just needs that ruby red paint.

I think he is on his second set of tyres on his bathtub and it has not clocked one mile over the last three decades...

[Fishcop]

Curt,

I stripped the ruined anodise from my '69s brightwork and polished it up. Looks good as new, but obviously doesn't have the durability. You need to use a bit of Mothers metal polish 2-3 times a year. If it's not a concours car, it's a good (cheaper) alternative.

[lexatola]

Hi John,

So how does it look as compared to anodized? Also - how did you do it? Love to hear the technique for a successful outcome?

Thanks so much,

Best,

Alex

[Fishcop]

Hi John,

So how does it look as compared to anodized? Also - how did you do it? Love to hear the technique for a successful outcome?

Thanks so much,

Best,

Alex

Hi Alex

I'd hate to turn Curt's thread in a direction he doesn't want

But in short I used caustic soda mixed up in hot water to remove the anodise and leave the raw alloy. I then sanded with 800#, 1200# and 2000# before using a polishing bob mounted in my drill press and tripoli (brown stick) polish and finally Mothers metal polish to bring it all up to a mirror finish. If you click my signature there's a link to my resto thread on the Bird with photos and explanations.