restore wiper arms

[citadel]

Anyone know of the best way to restore the metal wiper arms? Not the blade part but the arms themselves....
At over 40 years old these have seen better days....

 

[rolling_Thunder]

The wiper arms should be a flat aluminum color... I polished mine just for the added appeal...

The best way to restore them would probably just be simple green and a sponge as they shouldnt rust at all - just be dirty. Again, they should not be polished or shiny... they are flat aluminum to combat glare that could get in the eyes of the driver.

 

[dave5237]

They have a bead blasted look so I bead blasted mine and they look stock.

 

[citadel]

did you refinish them after bead blasting?

 

[rolling_Thunder]

Here's mine - polished on the left and stock on the right.

 

[dave5237]

did you refinish them after bead blasting?

I really had just finished bead blasting them and am trying to figure out what kind of finish. Probably satin clear.

 

[Dako]

Being that they are stainless steel, you can go either way...polished or matte finish.

- If you wish them to be matte, just use scotch brite/ steel wool/ or 1,000 grit (or above) sand paper.

- If you wish them to be polished (like chrome) put a 4" buffing wheel on your stationary grinder, load up the wheel with some 'White' ruche (sp?), (stick type polishing compound) and go to town. I did all my window trim and wiper blades on my `66 Belvedere II. With the sedate paint color they really help the car to 'pop'.

 

[dave5237]

Here's mine - polished on the left and stock on the right.

I like the polish look but like you said the glare could be a problem.

 

[citadel]

perfect info. I think I will stick with matte.

 

[rolling_Thunder]

Yeah - mine will be mostly a show car - if it is a huge problem I'll just have them bead blasted and matte clear