Refinishing trim pieces

You could have them powder coated

 

Are they chrome plated/anodized aluminum? Strip, Sand, and polish if so. If they are a soft pot type metal they won’t polish because the grain just pits up and will make them look “cast” and will never shine. Paint or powder coat will work good. They have a chrome powder coat that looks great. A buddy of mine had the fuel tanks, air filter housing, and luberfiner 750 done with it on a 1960 Autocar. Looks great. He was gonna have the oe lock ring wheels done for it but passed away before he could.

 

I've been told it's getting harder to find places that do chrome plating now because of how bad for the environment it is. Lots of people have recommended that chrome powder coat though. Might try it out myself on some stuff in the near future.

 

Mexico is the only place that will chrome plate anymore. All the shops down here pack up and ship the stuff down there. Quality is hit or miss. I’ve seen bumpers and stacks come back with hand prints under the chrome because the prep wasn’t very clean. Also doesn’t last as long before it surface rusts in some cases. It is still much better than china chrome that flat out peels off after time.
I have been seeing a lot more trucks running around down in these parts with chrome plated steel wheels again. Been 35-40 years since that was a thing. I guess they are getting them from ‘ol Mex.

 

I actully just redid some of the trim and rear bumper on my ram with the chrome powder. Dont have any photos handy but it looks just like actual chrome. Just make sure to have them do an extra clear coat or two, it really shows scratches on my bumper and when i redo it in a few years again i plan to have them either use a thicker sealant or more layers.