Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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How to restore faded black anodized aluminum auto trim

I am restoring an older car. The window and door trim is black anodized aluminum, and has faded badly. Some of the trim in not available for purchase. Is there any way to restore the aluminum to its original color

Ronald Boll
hobbyist - Camarillo, California, USA
2005

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If you can take the trim off, the best way by far would be to find a local job shop that can do the job. If you want it to be very shiny as well as black, you may want to look into someone that can electropolish it first as well.

Check the job shops page here at finishing.com, there are people in your area and lots of companies you can ship to as well.

If you want to restore it yourself, I'd look into paint - if the black anodize is faded it is either compromised (meaning your going to get or already have corrosion on the aluminum) or more likely that the black dye itself has faded. Both scenarios require a new anodize to really "fix", but it should still work as an acceptable base for paint.

Good luck.

Jim Gorsich
Compton, California, USA
2005