Anodized Aluminum steering wheel horn ring

[idahiboy]

I was polishing my horn ring and there were some deep pits that needed more aggressive sanding.... I "wore through" a layer in a few spots and it's a different color (brighter silver) with a super thin "copper like" layer.

So that copper layer is the "anodized"? Do I need to sand through all of that or did I ruin the metal? There was really no way to remove these small pin hole pits without the going that deep

For some reason I can't post photos right now as trying to attach but saying "too large"

I have read a few of the other threads on "how to" with aluminum but didn't see this "copper colored layer" discussed

Thanks for any advice

[idahiboy]

20190718_144015.jpg

[CH3NO2]

Horn rings are chrome plated. Every thing that gets chrome plated is plated in copper first to help the chromium stick to the part. So if you are down to the copper it will have to be replated.

[idahiboy]

Horn rings are chrome plated. Every thing that gets chrome plated is plated in copper first to help the chromium stick to the part. So if you are down to the copper it will have to be replated.

Thanks for the response..... It was not "magnetic" in any way when tested so I thought it wasn't chrome..... Is it aluminum below the copper? Can I just sand through the copper everywhere and then buff and clear coat?

[sargentrs]

I believe they are cast aluminum. New repros are only $100 and there are several used ones on Ebay now for under $40. So what the heck, I'd go for it.