aluminium trim around the switch/speedo area

[cliff]

hi everyone
the aluminium trim around the switch/speedo area is stained brown on the two verticle edges, is there a good way of cleaning this off or is it stained for life?
is this part obtainable new?

[Kevin]

Not seen it stained that badly I would try some very fine wire wool at first to see if that will bring it up a bit brighter and go from there, I dont think they are avaible new but there are plenty of good 2nd hand ones out there.

[wibble_puppy]

the aluminium trim around the switch/speedo area is stained brown on the two verticle edges, is there a good way of cleaning this off or is it stained for life?
is this part obtainable new?

Hi cliff!

The two vertical bits on either side of the aluminium panel seem to be known simply as "finishers", and they are chrome-plated so you probably want to go at them quite carefully or you might damage them

The brown stains are probably rust from the sound of it? If it's rust then you will want to get rid of it or it will tend to increase.

What you do will depend on how bad the rust is. If they are really badly rusted then you need drastic action. A quick glance through the ESM parts list doesn't reveal these finishers being sold new. Replacements might be available through the MMOC parts scheme though. If you can't find replacements then you can get them replated.

If the rust is less advanced then you could try cleaning the rust off with a mild polish such as Autosol or Alu-Magic. In fact even if the rust seems quite bad I would have a go at cleaning them before going on to swap them or get them replated - nothing to lose and all that.

The finishers are held in place by three (if i'm remembering right) integral bolts which fasten with nuts behind the dashboard: so if you need to take them out of the car you'll have to take out the glovebox liners. Not a five-minute job but not tricky either

Once you've got rid of the rust by whatever method you'll want to protect the chrome against further rust: apparently a high-quality wax such as Bilt-Hamber Auto-Balm will do this (or one of the glazes such as those made by Klasse or Car-Lack), or you could try Chrome-Magic.

Hope that's useful

juliet xx

[aupickup]

on vans they have star washers on the back of the finishers and they are a s'''t to get off

best of luck
i will have a look as i think i may have a new old stock ali panel, although it will have no ignition hole as it was for a van, etc with a steering lock, but will check for you

[bigginger]

Gak! If you do find one, I've been searching for AGES for a holeless one. Would it be for sale by any chance?

[aupickup]

hi

well i have to look for it, have not seen it for ages, but i am sure i have it somewhere, and since you asked first if i do find it you can buy it off me.
see you at national
safe trip

[bigginger]

Brilliant! Looking forward to the Nash

[wibble_puppy]

and if you find it and it does have the ignition hole can i buy it off you aupickup?

[bigginger]

Now, I've got one of those if you need it

[wibble_puppy]

Now, I've got one of those if you need it

If it's NOS then you got yourself a sale, gingery dude

[bigginger]

It's OOS, but pretty tidy, and yours for nowt. Are you still after that seat cover that I forgot all about too?

[wibble_puppy]

It's OOS, but pretty tidy, and yours for nowt.

cheers! will you send it to me? Might be better than mine, which got a bit mangled trying to get the ignition switch and the washer button off - had to melt the washer button out eventually

do you have my address? *PMs ya*

Are you still after that seat cover that I forgot all about too?

lol i have't made my mind up about whether to attempt to make my own covers..... ummm.... i think i'll say "no"..... will probably regret that

[wibble_puppy]

ps lol @ "OOS"

[cliff]

quite a car boot going on here ... i'll have a go at cleaning it, now i know how to remove it, thanx for the advice juliet.

[wibble_puppy]

i'll have a go at cleaning it, now i know how to remove it, thanx for the advice juliet.

you are more welcome than a very welcome thing arriving on the planet welcome with the news that michael owen's cruciate ligament has miraculously healed overnight

[aupickup]

i can collect from the national for you juliet if you want

[wibble_puppy]

*plots to stow away in aupickup's van*

cheers mate that would be great

[aupickup]

ok no worries
if you pm bigginger and let him know

[bigginger]

She did - and I will

[aupickup]

she said and i will