Obviously re-chroming is the option we all want to take when we've got the money. But if you're short on cash and you want to stop those little bubbles of rust coming through products that were chromed thirty years ago, what are your best options?
My front bumper on the LX constantly shows up brown speckles. I can scrub them off in 20 seconds but they just come right back. Is there a product that'll keep them away for six months so I can have a decent looking finish for a while?
I'm also considering buying just a pair of two old chromed widened stockies tonight which apparantly have some serious rust coming through, would there be any advice on that situation?
If there was some kind of protective film that could be applied and last a while then I guess that's what I'd be looking for.
P.S. Re-chroming is out of the question and will be for a fair while. I just wanna know if some kind of wax product or something will protect it and stop the rust from coming up merely for aesthetic reasons.
Rust Coming through old chrome
Started by
Heath
, Jun 05 2006 04:35 PM
8 replies to this topic
#1
Heath
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Posted 05 June 2006 - 04:35 PM
#2
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Posted 05 June 2006 - 04:46 PM
yeh i got the same problems. ive thought about clear coating but never actualy tried it. ive got a couple of spare bumpers in bad condition, maybe i should try it
#3
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Posted 05 June 2006 - 06:32 PM
not much you can do but I had old bars with pits and I use to polish them with car polish, in 5 years they never seemed to get worse, maybe the wax cought in the pits and helped seal it off.
The owners manual for my FC also recomended car wax to clean the chrome parts.
I am actually a detailer for a mercedes benz dealer so i am to scared to use harsh stuff like steel wool.
Por 15 have a alloywheel resto kit that includes a 2k clear that bonds to metal but its probably no worth it.
The owners manual for my FC also recomended car wax to clean the chrome parts.
I am actually a detailer for a mercedes benz dealer so i am to scared to use harsh stuff like steel wool.
Por 15 have a alloywheel resto kit that includes a 2k clear that bonds to metal but its probably no worth it.
#4
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Posted 05 June 2006 - 08:50 PM
Autosol is a good metal polish, it can be used on all metal types and claims to protect and remove rust spots, I've had the same tube for about 3 years so it lasts a while as u don't need to use much.
Cheers Chris
Cheers Chris
#5
Heath
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Posted 05 June 2006 - 09:22 PM
Just the advice I was looking for. Highly appreciated RCK-914.
#6
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Posted 05 June 2006 - 10:47 PM
if its still made bright shine a product made fomr maseratti ot it form auto barn years ago wooly stuff shines thing up beautifull ive used it many times only rip a dib off and rubb it on the surface end up with a sore arm 
but with a sparkling peice of chrome !!! 
but with a sparkling peice of chrome !!!
#7
_Eddie_
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Posted 06 June 2006 - 10:36 AM
Just remember heath things like steel wool and abrasives/rubbing compounds like Autosol actually remove layers of chrome to get the shiny finish. If done enough
you will rub through to a dim looking finish. In you wanna maintain it - a simple thing you can do is just wipe over the chrome bits down with a clean cloth every
now and then. Its the scum and dirt that builds on it which gives you those bubbles, they eat away at the chrome.... moisture also for that matter. If you do
this every few weeks or so it will keep all the grime and nasty bits at bay. This is what I gotta do with my drumkit with the hoops, stands and cymbal arms etc. You
can put a bit of autosol on the rag, but something like Silvo would be a bit more 'friendly' as it's not as abrasive. The important thing is just be consistent coz
once the chrome is gone... she's gone
Thats a good idea on the wax, I didn't think of that - I am gonna look into it!
you will rub through to a dim looking finish. In you wanna maintain it - a simple thing you can do is just wipe over the chrome bits down with a clean cloth every
now and then. Its the scum and dirt that builds on it which gives you those bubbles, they eat away at the chrome.... moisture also for that matter. If you do
this every few weeks or so it will keep all the grime and nasty bits at bay. This is what I gotta do with my drumkit with the hoops, stands and cymbal arms etc. You
can put a bit of autosol on the rag, but something like Silvo would be a bit more 'friendly' as it's not as abrasive. The important thing is just be consistent coz
once the chrome is gone... she's gone
Thats a good idea on the wax, I didn't think of that - I am gonna look into it!
Edited by Eddie, 06 June 2006 - 10:38 AM.
#8
_The Baron_
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Posted 06 June 2006 - 10:42 AM
What about a quick coat of lanilan (not sure of the spelling) after cleaning them!
Sheep grease.
I've heard good reports on the stuff.
Sheep grease.
I've heard good reports on the stuff.
#9
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Posted 07 June 2006 - 11:29 PM
While Autosol is great on alloy stuff I think its to abrasive for chrome if you want to keep it at its best, the brite shine cotton wading polish is nice for keeping new chrome looking new without hurting it, good for show car stuff, also works on alloy, copper and brass but needs a little more elbow grease than the autosol and cant be applied by machine like autosol.
the reason for the wax was as a dual purpose to clean the chrome and help seal the pitted spots.
While my bumpers were rusty freebies I got, they cleaned up well and the main reason to re apply the wax was to brighten the chrome back up above the exhaust pipes.
I was a rep for omikron detailing products and we carried brite shine cotton wading metal polish, I think they still do but somewere like ameriacan Autos or robbos or one of the better auto shops probably sell it to, it is probably simular to silvo on a soft rag but I doubt neither would protect against rust like the wax.
the reason for the wax was as a dual purpose to clean the chrome and help seal the pitted spots.
While my bumpers were rusty freebies I got, they cleaned up well and the main reason to re apply the wax was to brighten the chrome back up above the exhaust pipes.
I was a rep for omikron detailing products and we carried brite shine cotton wading metal polish, I think they still do but somewere like ameriacan Autos or robbos or one of the better auto shops probably sell it to, it is probably simular to silvo on a soft rag but I doubt neither would protect against rust like the wax.
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