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Remove Anodize on Aluminum and Polishing

I am in the process of restoring an old AMC Jeep. I have a pair of aluminum rocker panels that are anodized but I wish to remove the anodizing and polish/buff the aluminum so that it is chrome like. I thought I could sand starting with 320 grit and working my way up to 1500 grit but find it to be somewhat ineffective. Jeep offered the panels already polished once upon a time but not for many years now. You can find some but they are usually in bad shape. So, I found a set of near perfect anodized ones and want to work with those. What is the best way to remove the anodized coating and then bring the panels to a highly polished finish?

Thanks,

Wes Parks
- Gulfport, Mississippi
2003

Since they are hard to come by, I would have a reputable anodizing shop strip them. You can strip in a warm lye solution, but it can pit your material if the temp is off or the lye too strong or if it is left in the tank too long.For really bright parts, I would ship it off to a company that does an aluminum bright dip. This is such a nasty process that very few companies do it, so the price might be a bit dear. Several coats of UV inhibited clear coat will keep it nice for years.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2003

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