Low cost appearance mod to aluminum parts - Page 3

Justintoxicated · 07-29-2005, 05:09 PM

I don't think you can Chrome Aluminum.. you can only polish it, Good news is that if you want to spent the time and take it down to 1000 grit paper, then finish it up with some white rouge and then Mother's or better yet Mirror Bright aluminum polish it can be just as shiny as chrome. Although since it's cast alumin not billet so it probably won't get as shiny as chrome...and Aluminum takes more effor to get shiny so it will dull faster.

Mike H. · 07-29-2005, 08:58 PM

They still look good. I don't clean my truck very often, but if I wipe the grime off they are still shiny. I have not done anything to them for a very long time (as far as polishing). The next time I clean it up and post some updated pics.

I know of at least one other guy here that did this. Not sure of his truck color. It has been a while.

They are not cast, they are rolled welded aluminum tubing with about 1/8" wall thickness.

mopar · 03-01-2006, 02:39 PM

Any updated pics of your step rails?? I wonder how this would hold up in the Northeast??

pi3yeargrad · 03-01-2006, 03:10 PM

ye any updates?? man these are NICE...thinkin bout doin now...this is the first time Ive seen this post and cant believe what I missed...makes me wonder what else I miss even though Im like ALWAYS on...lol...

Mike H. · 03-01-2006, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mopar

Any updated pics of your step rails?? I wonder how this would hold up in the Northeast??

Don't know about up there. You'd have to spend some time on them after each winter I'd imagine.

They still look good. They'd look a lot better if I ever washed my truck. I polish them about every 6 months. Takes about 5 minutes each, plus 5 minutes on the top-front of the skid plate as well. It was well worth the effort and very little money. I have seen other Titan owners look down at them apparently wondering why mine look a little different.

To the best of my knowledge, only one other guy on here has done it too, after I did the first. Give it a try.

pi3yeargrad · 03-01-2006, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike H.

Don't know about up there. You'd have to spend some time on them after each winter I'd imagine.

They still look good. They'd look a lot better if I ever washed my truck. I polish them about every 6 months. Takes about 5 minutes each, plus 5 minutes on the top-front of the skid plate as well. It was well worth the effort and very little money. I have seen other Titan owners look down at them apparently wondering why mine look a little different.

To the best of my knowledge, only one other guy on here has done it too, after I did the first. Give it a try.

maybe Ill go ahead and try it tomorrow...If I feel crazy enough...I think this is gonna have to be something Im not gonna be able to think about and just jump in...THEN think after starting cuz I cant turn back...lol

Mike H. · 03-01-2006, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pi3yeargrad

maybe Ill go ahead and try it tomorrow...If I feel crazy enough...I think this is gonna have to be something Im not gonna be able to think about and just jump in...THEN think after starting cuz I cant turn back...lol

Well, you could always repaint, or have them chromed afterward. You will like it, especially if your wheels are high-polished aluminum. It will take you all day to do the steps, and a day on the skid plate.

Colorado_Titan · 03-01-2006, 09:57 PM

Man that does look good. I really like the holes you drilled out. Very nice.

pi3yeargrad · 03-01-2006, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike H.

Well, you could always repaint, or have them chromed afterward. You will like it, especially if your wheels are high-polished aluminum. It will take you all day to do the steps, and a day on the skid plate.

my "skid plate" doesnt look like urs so I guess mines not really a skid plate...it covers the oil filter and such thought underneath there up front I thought it was a skid plate till I saw urs...do the side steps look chrome or can u tell theyre are just polished (like are they that bright and smooth)...cuz I got chrome wheels...

Mike H. · 03-02-2006, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pi3yeargrad

my "skid plate" doesnt look like urs so I guess mines not really a skid plate...it covers the oil filter and such thought underneath there up front I thought it was a skid plate till I saw urs...do the side steps look chrome or can u tell theyre are just polished (like are they that bright and smooth)...cuz I got chrome wheels...

They will not match chrome. Different "color" more or less. They match the Centerline polished aluminum wheels well though. My skid plate is the offroad package plate.

*glowinstrat* · 03-02-2006, 03:01 PM

it looks great it look how the holes changed the hole look. keep up the good work

mopar · 03-14-2006, 09:41 PM

I'm working on my skid plate I'm doin 1.25" holes so its not a copy of your(Well actually the smallest hole saw I had was 1 1/4") Did the holes and then stripped it today what a pain in the a$$. Stripper curled the paint easy but with all the curves the skid plate is tuff and you end up missing some spots with the stripper so its about 85-90% done. Tommorrow I'll get it completely stripped and polish it some. I didn't sand only used 15minute gel stripper(1qt from lowes it says the strongest on the can) and a plastic scraper. Picked up a gallon of the 15 minute spray stripper and will try that for the steps but will probably take the pad off as this stuff isn't plastic safe but it sure does curl the pain in about a minute.

pi3yeargrad · 03-14-2006, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike H.

They will not match chrome. Different "color" more or less. They match the Centerline polished aluminum wheels well though. My skid plate is the offroad package plate.

after I polished mine theyre pretty darn close to chrome...I decided to leave as is...nice nice nice...Im glad u guys brough this thread back to life cz I had never seen it and wow my truck looks WAY better now...AND I saved a good wad of cash...

Mike H. · 03-15-2006, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mopar

I'm working on my skid plate I'm doin 1.25" holes so its not a copy of your(Well actually the smallest hole saw I had was 1 1/4") Did the holes and then stripped it today what a pain in the a$$. Stripper curled the paint easy but with all the curves the skid plate is tuff and you end up missing some spots with the stripper so its about 85-90% done. Tommorrow I'll get it completely stripped and polish it some. I didn't sand only used 15minute gel stripper(1qt from lowes it says the strongest on the can) and a plastic scraper. Picked up a gallon of the 15 minute spray stripper and will try that for the steps but will probably take the pad off as this stuff isn't plastic safe but it sure does curl the pain in about a minute.

The coating on the skid plate is different (tougher) than what is on the steps. It was a pain but was worth it.

mopar · 03-15-2006, 06:59 AM

My progress so far