FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Technical Board => Restoration Help => Topic started by: ridgey_didge on August 01, 2005, 06:19:52 AM



Title: Cleaning up scuff plates
Post by: ridgey_didge on August 01, 2005, 06:19:52 AM
Any suggestions on the best way to clean up scuff plates from the door frames on an FE special sedan???
They are not badly marked, and appear mostly dirty, although there is a bit of paint on some.
What are these made of???  They appear to be aluminium or some alloy, but are clearly pretty tough as they aren't worn or mis-shapen.
I'll start with soap and water, but would like them to gleam as much as is possible eventually.
Bring in the gurus, and give me some tips please.
David R


Title: Re: Cleaning up scuff plates
Post by: graham_fuller on August 01, 2005, 09:00:39 AM
Hi David,
The best thing to use is a metal polish,anything you would polish chrome with will be fine.They are sheet steel and CAD Plated when they were new.What is your FE Stock/Modified and what colour?
Cheers,
Graham


Title: Re: Cleaning up scuff plates
Post by: RET on August 01, 2005, 09:11:45 PM
I had a NOS one that I fitted to the car, along with three that were replated.  I'm glad I tested the AutoSol cleaner on the back of the NOS one first, because it discoloured it something shocking.  A fair bit of scrubbing with sugar-soap got most of the black colour out, but I haven't been game to try polishing the top since.

HTH,

RET


Title: Re: Cleaning up scuff plates
Post by: ridgey_didge on August 02, 2005, 05:28:01 AM
Thanks guys.  I will give a try (on the back first).

The car is stock in brown and beige, just like the one in the 'dockside' advert.  I will get a picture of it posted soon - in all its glory when my wife and I used it (and a white with black flashing FC) as wedding cars back in 1984.  Yes its the same wife who put her toe through the top of the back seat over the weekend, as ranted about elsewhere.

Cheers,
David