Some would say this is O/T but I figure if anyone knew the BEST way to remove rust from chrome it would be you guys/gals. So here it goes.... I bought a '50s formica dinette set off one of my friends. She mentioned it needed some work which is alright with me. I get the thing and MAN it has some serious rust issues. The table is in awesome shape but the chairs are another story.... well the chrome chair LEGS anyway. There are a few spots on the chair legs where the chrome is GONE so I know that can't be fixed (or am I wrong?) I can't afford to have the damn thing re-chromed unless someone knows of a reasonable shop in the San Jose/ SF, CA area. Aside from cutting my losses and throwing it away or leaving it rusty cause it has character *hehe* could someone PLEASE shoot me some suggestions? Thanks
Do a search on "chrome" "rust". I asked the same thing awhile back and got a lot of good responses. I used ketchup and aluminum foil recently on a piece and it looks pretty good.
For the little pin head size specks on chrome use SOS pads. Works for me. For real serious stuff you can get a spray can chrome and then clear over it after it dries good. Looks better than rust.
Coca Cola and the shiny side of aluminum foil. Have a rum and Coke while you rub and "Bob's your uncle".
Bob used to be my aunt. What about naval jelly? I've used it with mixed results, works with a polishing wheel.
Use anything containing iron, ie,steel wool, will make it rust more. Use a br*** wool if you have to use something that abrasive. Aluminum foil rubbed on the exposed steel works pretty well at camouflaging the bad spots, that's why the ketchup; The vinegar attacks the rust and the tomato puree helps it slip. Other than that some clever painting will help out. That's about it.
Yeah, I was just gonna say, don't use anything with metal pieces in it, like steel wool, or SOS pads. The little pieces of steel will stick in the rust spots, and make it rust faster than before. Some semi-chrome polish, and a good rag, and tons of elbo work will get it as good as it can. Then clearcoat it, and pray. If that's not good enough, grind the whole thing down with an angle grinder, and paint it. Get it re-chromed later when you can afford it.
Aluminum foil and kerosene works good,although the ketchup idea would be good,especially if you're hungry!
This Evapo-Rust works. Watch the slide show if you can. http://www.safestrustremover.com/acid.asp# I got it for $85.00 5gal delivered from here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Evapo-Rust-5-Gallon-Rust-Remover_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ63702QQitemZ4616382205QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW Good luck.
No. 7 Chrome Polish and a LOT of elbow grease with a cloth works pretty good. I had an early 70's HD sissy bar given to me last year and it shined up pretty good with this stuff. Anything abrasive (steel wool) will wear off whatever chrome you have left and leave dull scratches. (been ther and done that )
I was out on Midway Island years ago (the real Island). All they had was bicycles to ride out there. They get rusty, especially the chrome. One of the other guys had a beutiful bike, real old one. I asked him how he got it so clean. On the Chrome he used, spray WD-40 and fine steal wool, then cleaned it off and then used chrome polish. So I did the same thing. We had some cool "horses" out there. Every once in a while that horse would get real drunk and throw me though
Well ****, I went to OSH and bought some 0000 steel wool and navel jelly. I was planning on working on it tonight after work. I'll try the ketchup & tin foil first and if that doesnt work I'll go back to OSH and try to find some br*** wool. I should do a before and after shot. If there's some spots that still look like hell I'll clear coat and spray on chrome colored paint (hehe). Thanks for all the advice guys. I'll keep you posted on the damn thing.
The guys on Mythbusters on the discovery channel found that Coke rubbed with aluminum foil actually worked better than a leading chrome polish on a ****py old bumper.
I've always just used steel wool and chrome polish. It won't get rid of any pitting but it will get rid of the rusty look.
Try bronze wool, available at boating supply places, does a great job on bike rims, and leaves the chrome unscratched. them polish with turtle wax chrome polish.
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