Polishing aluminum trim - Ranger XLT

[Bullitt74]

Good morning,

I'm planning to purchase supplies from Eastwood, fire up my bench grinder, and rework my aluminum trim on my '72 Ranger XLT. There is a lot of trim to polish (upper side trim, lower rocker trim, grille, tail-light trim ,and XLT tailgate panel). Obviously it will be a lot of elbow grease and time, but it is a great winter project while the truck is at the body shop.

My question relates to sealing it afterwards, and wondering if anyone has experience on what has worked best for them. I don't want my effort to have to be repeated in a few years, and my truck has to sit outside in the elements at least during spring/summer/fall. I'm not aware of any anodizing shops in Alberta Canada, and that might be too expensive anyway. I've narrowed my options to the following:

1) Shine Seal product (formerly Zoop seal)

2) Eastwood Diamond clear coat (typically used for aluminum wheels)

3) Ceramic clear coat?

I thought this thread would be better in body/paint.

Any thoughts?

[sargentrs]

I don't have any actual experience but everything I've read says just polish it with something like Mother's, periodically, and it stays fresh. Something I like to do with chrome wheels, trim, etc anyway.

[HIO Silver]

I deleted the trim on my 73 and my '70 has the minimum. I'd shoot clear.

[blubyu]

My past projects I have used sharkhide metal protectant.

[Lone Ranger]

I would think a clear coat would turn yellowish in five years anyways, then you would have to strip it and recoat it in clear. At that point your better off rubbing just aluminum polish over it ever once in a while. I'm with HIO... Delete trim and show off that beautiful bump, less work and you get to see those curves