How to age/dull chrome

My '54 Chevy truck has the original chrome grille in it and it is dulled and faded from the years. Thats all right with me as its a patina type ride.

I had to replace the bumpers. I went with a couple of the cheaper imports and the chrome isn't great but it still is much brighter than the grille.

How can I fade/dull these bumpers??????????????

Thanks for the help.

 

I seem to remember years ago some one asked this same question and was told to buff the chrome with the green or red(don't remember which) Scotch brite and it would dull it.........do not know if this will work.....been known to have CRS...........If you try this,do it on scrap chrome before trying it on your good chrome.....
Kenny

 

Bring it to Ontario for the winter

 

Keep the replies coming. I've got a couple of pieces that I would like to match the "aging" on. HAMB, don't let us down now!!

Frank

 

Green scotchbrite will be better than red, because it's a finer grade, brown (finer again) scotchbrite will be better than green, or use old, used green scotchbrite. However all of them will leave lines as they are abrasives. Use them in long strokes and use water and detergent as a lubricant. That will dull it off.

Or you could try a soft wire brush (brass or stainless) again with water and detergent. Will dull it slightly but leave a "burnished" shine.

Or pumice powder with a cloth, again with the water and detergent. This will give the softest finish, dull but no really noticeable lines.

If these don't work straight away, keep rubbing until 2050...

 

Just thinking outloud.....maybe one of those cheap 1 qt. cup sandblasters from Horrible Freight. Hold it way back, then slowly get closer until it start to dull. I've never done this so try it on a test item first.

 

Spray it with a flat clear paint, then you can scrape it off later if you come to your senses. LOL
Rod

 

Faux patina rarely looks 'right'. If you want to match the natural age on your grill, you could offer to trade your perfect bumper with new chrome straight up for a perfectly straight bumper with old chrome. Should have no problem finding a taker.

 

I agree with Special Ed and I also don't understand this type of thinking.
My thought is to find someone with crappy bumpers and swap your new ones and everyone will be happy, especially the guys that gets the new ones.
The post above this one is a faster typer.

 

sell your nice chrome bumpers, and buy used ones, ruining nice chrome doesn't make sense...

 

It will look like you sanded it, not aged. Find an old one. Chances are the guy that has it will trade you for your nice one. Shit, I'd take that trade.......

 

I second swapping for old bumpers. If you don't want that, try the flat/mat clear. If you're lucky it'll start to bubble/peel and look real funky after a while.
Larry T

 

If you want to ruin your bumper, pour Muratic acid on it.

 

x2 you're right wtf???????

 

There are lots of chemicals and household cleaners that will dull chrome. Some work better than others... But why????

I'd go for a trade.

 

I guess I would have bought some used bumpers, too. They made like a million '54 Chevies, it shouldn't be that hard to find a pair.

 

Dont fake it !! Get some older worn bumpers if thats the look your going for.

 

Oh...I re-read your post and saw the bumpers are imported. Just get a power washer and blow the chrome off.

 

rarely will you get any help with anything to do with a "patina" question....
as the "patina police" on the HAMB are going to jump in and tell you how
F*#ked up you are.... IT's your stuff have fun with it! I hope you get the Look your after.

 

As it always is, when you don't need somethiong they are all around. When you do they are scarce. I've been hitting swaps for the last 10 months with no luck.

Remember I have about 10-12 of these trucks. Most all of the old bumpers I have accumalated are painted.

As to why................Why do some take cream in their coffee and some not? Why do some like whitewalls and some not? Why do some like red, blue, silver instead of white? Why do some like V-8's and some 6 cylinders? Why do some like grass on the runway and some like the runway smooth?

See folks its all about personal preference. I own nice shiny vehicles. I enjoy my beater/patina vehicles much much more. I just enjoy my rides, weekend events, and just everyday traveling when I know I am not chained to a wash bucket, wax, and a chamios cloth. I've grow tired in my middle years............

 

If you mean that panel in the avatar, I'd leave those just as they are!

 

I know when a dog pee's on rims it does some damage.....might do the same for those parts?

 

he asked how to do something.... not for your opinion!

 

Instructions:

1. remove chromed article from vehicle

2. tie, chain or otherwise attach, at distance, to rear of pickup truck.

3. drive really fast down dirt roads for an extended period of time, or, until desired finish is acquired.

4. re attach article to vehicle.

5. enjoy

Hope this helps.

 

Well, the original question was pretty stupid.

 

Scotch brite will only scratch it not age it. Its not the scratches that make chrome look old its the effects of years of sun and moisture, along with salt in given parts of the country.

You can chemically age it with muratic acid. But I would grab something else and practice/experiment a bit before i tried it on a piece I was intending to use. You'll probably want to thin it with water remember Chemistry 101 its acid to water not water to acid. or maybe that's the other way around. hell search it on google.

 

Hey now lets play nice and don't fight.

In answer to the question I destroyed lots of chrome and other parts back in the day. Bumpers, trim, paint, axles, pistons, clutches. Most were due to my lack of driving ability or chemical or alcohol impairment or both but the stuff was detroyed non the less.

Now that was "back in the day" so it must be traditional.

I wouldn't get down on the guy for wanting to age his chrome. Faux-tina was pretty popular a few years back and besides no chrome is way better than chrome that doesn't match. Uh guess which option I choose BTW.

 

Ok, anyone want to trade me some BRAND NEW STILL IN THE PACKAGE 59 Cadillac taillight housings & lenses for some older crappy looking ones? I'm putting them on a (GASP!) patina'd truck project, and I LOVE things that look like they could "tell a story". Don't tell me how I should spend twenty grand on bodywork and paint and all that blather... I have WAY more fun DRIVING my truck than the wash bucket / chamios guys ever do while they pray that they don't fingerprint the chrome or get a little dust on their tires.

And I'm serious on the Caddy taillights! PM me!!!

 

Get some orange buffing coumpound and a orbital polisher. Hit it lightly anf clean off. if not quite there, do it again. I personally applaude your efforts trying to get it the way you want it.