Westin Nerf Bar Polishing Question

[Seawall]

Hi guys; I have a 08 GMC Sierra crew cab with Westin Nerf bars, yes the long ones with double steps on each side of the truck. I was finishing the paint correction today, and decided to give one of the bars a swipe with Po Boys EX Sealant, just for the heck of it with my PC on 1.5. Just a swipe, but it sure did look good after hand buffing it. (Just a minor six inch pass.)

In my limited and very rookie arsenal I have Menzerna Intensive Polish, Menzerna Final Finish, Meg's 105 and also Turtle Wax Chrome Polish. Do you have any advice about the products to use on the Nerf Bars?
Thanks!

[Seawall]

Re: Westin Nerf Bar Polishing Question

Come on guys, 29 views and not the first post to help me. OK, I'm a novice but I'm trying to learn. I used the ASD on my truck today for the first time, and it's absolutely wonderful, and appears to clean somewhat as well. Just need some help on those chrome nerf bars.

[Murr1525]

Re: Westin Nerf Bar Polishing Question

What are the bars made of? They are definatley chrome?

If so, you could do well to wash them, then clay with old clay. After that, you could use a metal polish like the Mag and Aluminum Polish or Chrome Polish. You could also use #105 if you wanted.

Havent used the Turtle Wax product, but could try a test spot comparing.

If they are in good shape, you should be ok with some terry cloth to apply it.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Westin Nerf Bar Polishing Question

If the nerf bars are are indeed chrome, then a chrome polish even applied at a low speed with the D/A is perfectly fine. Then again, if the product you used made a noticeable improvement without damage, then you should be able to continue with that same product.

If the bars are black powdercoated then things can change and you should stay away from any sort of metal polish and stick to just a good cleaner wax, probably by hand.

If they're polished stainless (websites selling Westin Nerf Bars list a polished ss finish as well) then a good metal polish, applied by hand or machine, is the best choice.

Regardless of finish, once cleaned up you can apply any wax you like to finish things off. Bottom line, though, is to match the product to the surface, and chrome, powdercoat or polished ss are all slightly different. Which do you have?

[Andrew C.]

Re: Westin Nerf Bar Polishing Question

Mine are SS and I like using NXT All Metal Polysh With a DA using a microfiber bonnet draped over a pad (meant to remove wax) around speed 3-5 and it cleans them up great!

PS don't use chrome polish unless you are positive they are chrome.

[Seawall]

Re: Westin Nerf Bar Polishing Question

They are Chrome, definitely; I polished them by hand with the Turtle Wax Chrome Polish, then buffed it out by hand. I put a coat of PoBoy's Ex Sealant on top of that, and then the Meg's mirror glaze. Looked really good. Then put the ASD on the steps. Didn't make them slick, or highly polished. Jeez, that ASD is GOOD! Thanks for the responses, I appreciate it. You guys rock.