RR Drophead Metal

so i have a customer that was sent to me through a friend/customer. the owners have two rolls royces: a phantom and a phantom drophead. the drophead is the model with the brushed aluminum hood and accents. i have been using optimum metal polish for a long time with great results, but i want to double check with those of you that have experience with this car. should i just polish out the aluminum hood by hand? or would using a DA with say a black pad and the metal polish be a safe method? additionally, is there another product i should look into picking up that someone with experience with these cars recommends?



(i think i got the models right. i know my cars, but im not well verses in RR)

 

honestly I'm not sure if a metal polish would be the right thing to use on this as it might effect the look of the brushed aluminum.

If i remember correctly Bob has experience with these and even uses his own special technique....you might be able to ask nicely for him to divulge that info.

 

Thats a nice referral! Have fun with those two!

 

yeah i know dave and bob have done a few. thank you.

 

yes quite good. while my friend is finishing up putting a 7000 sq/ft addition on their estate, ill be attending to the RR's. we both win lol.

 

Does it need to be polished? I have polished brushed aluminium before and it's difficult to get "even" results. I did it with a DA and a black pad. It's often very easy to see the difference between one area you polished and another area. I'd be careful, and if it doesn't need to be polished, just wash and it dry it nicely.

 

its not horribly faded, but it could use some polishing. the car is a 2010 i think and hasnt had very much attention paid to it. i couldnt help but notice the armor all and turtle wax in the cabinets.

 

I would go with a pure paint cleaner...but would hold off till you can get some solid advice from a trusted person who has actually done one. I know Swissvax had a line made for RR which is pretty much the opaque line for use on the hood bits.

 

Unless you can get some info direct from RR I'd hold off until you talk to someone that has successfully worked on that finish. I suspect the aluminum either has a clear anodized finish or a clear coat. Straight aluminum and most aluminum alloys form an oxide layer fairly rapidly. Depending on the surface treatment even mild abrasives could land you in a world of trouble.

 

yeah im not doing anything to the car until i get some things cleared up by notable detailers who've worked on them.

i just need to know what to do with that metal, how to do it safely, and if i need to have anything expressed to me that i dont have already.