restoring chrome

I have some chrome on an old biycle frame that that I want to brighten up. It is covered with 40yr old paint and has some light rust. Steel wool seems to work well, but it is very slow going. Are there any solvents I can use with the steel wool to help eat away at the paint without hurting the chrome? Will the the steel wool hurt the chrome (I have been using 00 and 0000).

 

Wouldn't think paint remover would hurt the chrome,but go easy with the steel wool.If the rust is little specks,try an abrasive chrome polish after the paint is gone,it won't take it off,but it'll help hide the spots.If the rust is much worse,it's time to call the chrome shop.

 

walt, I've always used chrome polish with steel wool.

 

Discovery Channel had that "MYTH BUSTERS" show try that same thing. What worked for them was COCA COLA and Steel wool. I haven't tried it me-self, let me know if it works. If it's on T.V it certainly wouldn't be a lie...

 

have you tried never-dull? that's probably not how you spell it, but it works pretty well for bringing back chrome.

 

Lacquer thinner and fine steel wool always works for me. Unless its latex paint. Small pieces can be boiled in white vinegar. Works like a champ believe it or not.
Then get some mothers and polish the devil out of it.

 

Mothers !! Wire Wool !! boiling vinegar!!
Damn you guys know absolutely nothing about chrome.
The ammonia or sodium hudyoxide which is used in most chrome polishes eats the stuff.
Wire wool.
Go bang your head 'til it feels good.
Chrome is anything from 15 to 30 millionths of an inch thick.
Old fashioned hex chrome might be thicker, but not by too much.
Use a polish that has no ammoniates or anhydrous and sufer fine. If it's got good solvents it'll take off the surface rust.
If you've got more than surface rust it's a rechrome job.
Take the chrome off and the nickel will look good for a couple of weeks then it'll go dull again.

 

I'm using Polisher's stuff, and he absolutely knows what he's talking about.

a/fxcomet, what kind of paint is on top of the chrome? Remove that first, and then restore the chrome.

 

seeing as you've only used 00 and 000, you've probably not done too much damage unless you've been a beast with it.
Try using gasket stripper to remove the paint.
It will rip of most paints pretty rapid, and because it's a spray it gets into the corners.
Great on powder coat too.
Failing that, best paint stripper I've found is NAPA industrial grade stuff at about $14 a quart.
It's expensive but it works.
Wash off with a sponge.
I put stuff out of corners and holes will Dental picks, cheap, felxible and the rubber tips don't scratch.

 

Your local auto paint shop should carry a product called aircraft stripper. It comes in quarts or larger they even have it in spray cans, stuff takes paint off like crazy. Just brush it on hose it off or try Mr Muscle over cleaner but dont leave it on to long.

Good luck