No, you really cant. The valve covers are solid aluminum with no plating and they are simply leveling the surface. The fender mouldings are pot-metal that is chrome platted.
Fine steel wool, or a buffing compound is really used to remove oxidation, and perhaps light rust stains from the chrome. If you have any pitting, then they would have to be filled or ground leveled, and replated.

Thanks. Looks like a York compressor which is fairly heavy. The 1/4 in plate and a Sanden would be a breeze although I wonder if he used longer head bolts and how it was braced on side. See one brace to oil filter bolt by idler but don't think there is anything except manifold on other--maybe down to water pump.

EDIT Just noticed another interesting thing and that is what appears to be a home made fan shroud. Wonder how much that helps.

Agreed, and Done!

If you refer to the pinion seal, there are a few hints here:

https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=2045&forum=2&post_id=19427#forumpost19427

but IIRC, it is a pretty snug fit and must be driven in straight and to proper depth. If it came out that easily, would be wondering if correct seal.

Kevin, should we create an A/C thread/forum for this? The title still says Packard Swap Meets; I'm thinking for searching purposes.

Look like the main part of the bracket is made of 1/4" plate. Interesting configuration. I bet you could adapt that to just about any compressor. Good reference for the future. I would imagine the compressor mounting has some type of slide adjustment built into the bracket.

I bet you could prototype the main part of that bracket out of 1/4" plywood to make a pattern, the then transfer that to steel or aluminum plate. (the wheels are turning in my head)

Thanks for the pictures.

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Mal, And 40C is incompehensible to me also. I would melt.

And this is the exterior of the car...I don't have the fellow's name but I think he's a member of our local packard club.

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Well, I just spent the last 3 hours reading all about metal buffing and polishing to the extent of Google's seemingly random way of getting you to half-relevant material.

English polishing has a site explaining the process to some degree. They have a video of a restoration of aluminum valve covers.

The process was shown almost all the way through, from sanding with 220, down to finer and finer levels to reach a brilliant shine.

My moldings on the front fenders have soe nasty pitting. I was wondering if I could follow this same process on those moldings.

I've always assumed not and re-plating would be the only option. Now, I am wondering.

I know the process, if it can be done, is a lot of work, but I wouldn't mind because I have lots of time to knock out a piece here and there.

Can I do it this way?

Interesting bracket. Looks like the compressor mounted on the top/passenger side of the engine, while the idler on the drivers side. Mounts to the front of the water pump, and the both sides of the block. I would imagine that should be pretty stout.

The original Packard configuration used a double idler pulley off and compressor off the passenger side of the engine.