'72 window trim aluminium or stainless steel?

[AKcharger]

Hi Guys, my rear window trim is kind of dull and SS doesn't really get dull so I thought it was aluminium BUT when you buff it it doesn't get the "black yuckies" like you get with aluminium...so are they aluminium or stainless steel?

[daytonalo]

It is Anodized alum

[Ghoste]

I thought they were stainless.  Stick a magnet on them (or try to).

[AKcharger]

Thanks guys...magnet..why didn't I think of that!

[71Charger JT]

71-74 i believe that they came either anodized aluminum or SS... magnet trick should work. regardless let me know if u need any tips on polishing.

[Nacho-RT74]

regardless let me know if u need any tips on polishing.

[71Charger JT]

regardless let me know if u need any tips on polishing.

**not trying to be rude**  nacho is that sarcasm or are u really interested?

[Nacho-RT74]

HAHAHAH, simply expecting, since I'm interested.

[AKcharger]

Rear trim is aluminium, all else is stainless. I was going to take the aluminium bits to a shop since they have to rechrome the corner "check" pieces. I'm concerned withthe aluminium if you buff them out you'll buff through the alodine and it will corrode...OR I'll have to polish it all the time.

Open for any polishing tips, I did the SS on  my '70 with compound a wheel and 00 steel wool, wasn't the brilliance I expected.

[71Charger JT]

Nacho:   

AK: aluminum will not corrode.  u will have to sand the piece down with 400 sandpaper  to remove the anodize. then if u have buffing wheels i would start with spiral sewn wheel and brown tripoli greaseless compound.... the aluminum will need more attention then the SS after it is polished. but if the car is garaged then it wont be a big deal, just alittle mothers mag polish and elbow grease. when i started on my trims i opted to stick with all SS. the aluminum ones are sitting in my basement.

SS is much easier to polish and to repair than aluminum. Aluminum is a softer metal.

i just had a flashback of when i destroyed my drivers side drip rail molding on the buffing wheel.

[MNMopar]

A magnet wouldn't stick too Stainless Steel either... real stainless that is. That's why I don't have any pictures of the Charger hanging on the front of the stainless steel refrigerator...

[Ghoste]

For the record, aluminum will corrode, I can take pics of the ugly white mess on a 1st gen Charger section of fender trim if you don't believe me.
Never knew that about stainless being non-magnetic.  What would be the differnce between a pure stainless and other kinds? 

[Nacho-RT74]

yes aluminium corroes, but does take LOOONG TIME and certain conditions on that.

[Ghoste]

I guess it depends on your definition of LOOONG and what those certain conditions must be then because I've seen it happen fairly quickly (in my definition  ) and the only condition I've ever thought required was exposure to oxygen.  Salt and so forth will certainly accelerate it, just look at some of the aluminum wheels after a Canadian winter but I've seen it even on trim stored indoors.

[71Charger JT]

http://www.keytometals.com/Article14.htm <----- pretty good descritpion on aluminum corrosion.

anyhow, any update?

[Ghoste]

Good explanation but I wish they talked about the white crust that I see around here on aluminum parts (or is the white crust a condition of the pitting they talk about?).

[AKcharger]

A magnet wouldn't stick too Stainless Steel either... real stainless that is. That's why I don't have any pictures of the Charger hanging on the front of the stainless steel refrigerator...

Magnet sure stuck to all my stainless steel trim...perhaps it's because we're so close to magnetic north 

[71Charger JT]

ill look in my collection of parts to see if there is another set of SS trims... i know i have aluminum set...

[AKcharger]

PM me if you do!

[71Charger JT]

sorry i had to run out ...im messaging from my phone..i will check tomorrow

[71Charger JT]

sorry it took so long.... i have a set of ss rear window trim... check the forsale section