chief fender trim material

[cdf6333]

Does anyone know when and if Indian went to aluminum for the Chief skirted fender trim? All the original trim I have, or or ever saw, is steel. I sent a bunch to my chrome plater years ago and he "pretzeled" it. Ruined it all. I kept one set just for matching.

[PRG]

Howdy Bob,

Sounds like a question for Elmer or Robin Markey. I just put a magnet on the original trim on my 440, 441 and very late 346, the latter never having had the trim off the fenders and none are plain steel. If you've ever attempted to tap out dents or straighten kinks on loose pieces this stuff it is far more fragile than steel. Attempting at one time to identify the finish on it I had it described to me as a very early anodize over some type of alloy.

While restoring the 441, I elected to wet sand and polish all the trim which I the waxed and it looks great to this day, only an alloy would have responded thusly.

[exeric]

My '40 Chief has 5/16" half round aluminum trim on the sides and top of the fenders. Years ago, Alan Forbes was making '40 only trim.

[phillie]

I did the same as PRG sanded and polished mine. Looks great, I assumed it was aluminum the way it polished up.

[cdf6333]

Wow, thanks a lot all. I never thought to try polishing it. I assumed ( and we know what that brings) that because Indian said "chrome" I "assumed" it was actually chromed steel.
Bob

[fillibuster]

Wow, thanks a lot all. I never thought to try polishing it. I assumed ( and we know what that brings) that because Indian said "chrome" I "assumed" it was actually chromed steel.
Bob

Guess I always thought (heard said) it was stainless.

[fillibuster]

Wow, thanks a lot all. I never thought to try polishing it. I assumed ( and we know what that brings) that because Indian said "chrome" I "assumed" it was actually chromed steel.
Bob

Guess I always thought (heard said) it was stainless.