Does anyone have chrome polishing tricks using chrome polish? Also is wax necessary to keep it or something else? I spent almost three hours scrubbing by hand, my fingers are killing me but the results are great. I don't want to do this again in the near future. I have read about the cola cola and aluminum foil trick and the steel wool trick on here. I am afraid to damage or otherwise scratch my chrome using aluminum foil or steel wool. Check out the top one looks new: This is what I am using:
Try a metal polish and a drill powered buffer. Then go with the mothers. Or Think of it this way: You're catching them up on polish time for years of neglect. 5 mins twice a year for the last 50 years
Keep it maintained, and preferably stored indoors, and it should stay shiny. Although if there was rust on the chrome, it has flaws in the chrome, and will rust again if it's exposed to moisture...that's the only case where you need to consider applying wax. Be sure you understand the difference between stainless steel, and chrome.
From my own experiences, just keep "doing & using" what you're using......yep, sore fingers will happen but stick with it......and be prepared to re-do at least twice a year......my timing is like my wife's housework.......do a real good spring-time cleaning/detailing/polishing and find time to do another mid-summer.......and of course, keep car clean in between ........I try to take a few minutes to wipe car down, both before & after taking it for some exercise......
I did four of the same caps, 61 Buick. Had my 10 year old daughter help, bigger help then you'd think! If you don't have child labor, then your fingers are gonna hurt. I did completely take mine apart, all the little fins. The extra step made it worth it in the long run. I agree with using Mothers, and just keeping up on them. Keep going, they'll look great!
Careful with metal polish on chrome plating. I used some Simichrome to try and get a blemish out of some factory HD chrome, not good to do. The Mother's isn't as aggressive I think, I'd try a spot first. Chrome polishes are OK of course.
Try some Br***o. It's not as expensive as Mother's and others but I've been happily using it for years.
Thanks again guys, two down two to go. I see what what you meant Jim; rings and bullets are chrome but the hubcap is stainless. Thanks Vicky the drill polisher made a huge difference. Thanks Kensey taking these completely apart helped out a lot. Mine are too young yet though they'd prefer to bang stuff and make noise. Thanks Slow and Uncle my polish has run out so I will definitely give these products a try, still got lots more chrome to polish. Here is before and after: As you can see it is worth the effort.
I didn't find a thread dedicated to polishing chrome so this was my hack at getting one out there that was easily searchable for other students like myself. I have spot polished chrome but never really dug in a project like this. So here went my process: 1) completely dis***emble 2) clean with warm water and dawn using the sponge part of a dish cleaner 3) let everything soak in water and dawn to loosen grease and agitate every few hours 4) polish the same spot lightly a few times going on circular motions while reapplying polish every time it dried up using an old soft cotton t-shirt moving to clean spots on the shirt often 5) use lots of polish on a cotton drill buffing ball at low speed and short burst ensuring not to get the metal hot for high shine ***Do not use Alcohol or thinner as they cause white spots and they don't come off. I tried on a spare piece. ***Do not use the abrasive side of the dish sponge, scotch brite these will scratch. I also tried these on the spare piece. Thanks again all!
That's a world of difference there! ! Now I haven't tried it on car parts yet but I'm going to. I'm actually surprised I haven't at least tried it for ****s and giggles. soft scrub does a great job on the chrome bathroom fixtures with no scratches. Might be the ticket for some things, idk?
when all done w/ the cleaning consider a good wax polish to seal in all your hard work. I just removed my spider caps, cleaned all the nooks and crannies then gave them a good going over w/ turtle wax. jeff
To clean the chrome first, try Simple Green sprayed on 0000 steel wool. Pretty amazing stuff. Then get out the polish.
Go online and search "how to polish metal" you will be amazed. I have used tin foil and water on my 85 C10 bumper and it was quick and easy totally amazing.
Chrome plater recommended not to use aggressive polish on chrome. I think on badly looking chrome what would it matter? Ago
I used steel wool on some lightly oxidized sections of my bumpers. Just keep a bucket of water next to you and keep it wet. Worked really nicely, and followed with wax.
That surely does work, but it scratches. If it's already beat to **** and rusty tin foil is a great way to really spiff it up. When I was much younger kid and new everything I lost a bet to my buddies dad. He said I should clean my rusty handlebars. I said they're rusty. He said I bet you I can clean them with a piece of chewing gum! I sad no way, I'll bet you can't. So out comes a stick of juicy fruit, he chewed it a little bit, wadded up the wrapper that foil on one side and spit on the foil. Spit on the bars and rubbed the foil around in the worst spot till there was a nice brown slobber paste. Wiped that paste off with a rag & Took that rust of my chrome handlebars like nobodies business. I had to wash his truck a few times.
Hey guys thanks for all the responses. It looks like I found another good use for this meguiras hot rims chrome polish. Looks like it shines up old tired dull plastic too. Wonder if it was a fluke with this one or if it is a normal reaction with chrome polish. The one on the left was polished one on the right is not. I'll let it sit for a while and see if it isn't just a reaction to what ever grease is in the polish.
I use good old fashioned Never-Dull. It'll put a shine on chrome, br***, aluminum and copper. Just don't let it stay on br*** or copper very long or it'll leave a green tarnish mark that's hell to get off.
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