nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Feb 19, 2020 15:26:38 GMT -8
This is another meticulously documented product demonstration from one of the top restoration experts in the world. Okay, okay, it’s half-baked and done in my barn. But it gives you an idea how two suggestions for cleaning and polishing chrome worked for me. First, Dan suggested cleaning chrome by dipping aluminum foil in vinegar and rubbing pitted/dirty surfaces. At first I thought Dan was messing with me but it actually works. Pitted side before Pitted side after vinegar rub. It's hard to see but some of the pitting is reduced Better side where you can see the shine where I rubbed and the cloudy part where I didn’t.
Second I tried a product called Semi-Chrome recommended by Ekinmamniets. Here is the vinegar cleaned piece polished with Semi-Chrome. Nice!
Overall, both suggestions were excellent. Obviously I'm experimenting on some really rough chrome. One last suggestion, This polish is excellent on basic aluminum Feel free to share any other products you've used with good results.
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Post by danrhodes on Feb 19, 2020 20:35:05 GMT -8
I've also heard of cleaning with foil using salt water and even cola. I wonder if you can tell the difference.
For much of my aluminum, I stuck with a product called magic wadding that my grandfather used to polish fishing lures. For the tougher areas, brasso polishes nearly anything.
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CorvettCrzy
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Post by CorvettCrzy on Feb 25, 2020 18:35:59 GMT -8
Is the purpose of the foil to leave "bits" in the pits in the chrome? If so wouldn't it just fall back out?
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Feb 25, 2020 20:22:26 GMT -8
The tin foil seemed to act as a smoothing agent taking off some bumps. I don't think it actually filled holes.
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WhitneyK
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Post by WhitneyK on Feb 26, 2020 5:38:06 GMT -8
Not trying to add to this great tutorial, but more of an FYI: Look for the vinegar labeled "cleaning vinegar", (available at most stores) it has a 6% acidity rather than 5%, and is not for cooking. I know, 1% is no big deal, but that amounts to 20% more acidic for better cleaning / oxidation removal. Using vinegar with the aluminum foil is new to me, in my younger days we only used the al foil on chrome bumpers / wheels / etc. Just a thought, didn't say it was a good one..... |
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Feb 28, 2020 8:09:12 GMT -8
Being a green freak, I use vinegar solutions on pretty much everything before going on to use heavy duty, mor toxic compounds. Polishing chrome can be a pain, but another, non scratching, method is to use Bon Ami with a non scratching sponge. It’s half the price of Barkeepers Friend and it’s does an equally good job.
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Post by Teachndad on Feb 28, 2020 21:16:33 GMT -8
Thanks NC, another great topic and your efforts are always appreciated.Thanks for showing us some options to Mothers aluminum polish.
I don't have any magic elixir, but for things that are too expensive to rechrome maybe they can be recoated in nickel. I saw this some refrigerator racks once.
Don't know if the pot metal of the tail lamp would handle nickel plating, though.
Cheers,
Rod
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ekimnamniets
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Post by ekimnamniets on Feb 29, 2020 7:46:37 GMT -8
If it's been plated in the past it will tolerate it again. Having something nickel plated to save money won't happen. When you have an item chrome plated most shops plate the item first with copper, then nickel, then chromium. Hence the term "triple plated" or "show chrome". Almost every shop I've encountered charge the same for nickel plating even though it's one process less than a full chrome job. I've done a few antique wood stoves and the eye catching pieces were nickel plated instead of chrome. Just as they were from the factory, nickel plating will stand high heat without peeling whereas chrome will always peel. Money wasted.
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WhitneyK
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Post by WhitneyK on Mar 1, 2020 18:10:14 GMT -8
Not sure what the cost is, but a friend of mines son does a coating called Spectra Chrome. It's a water based technology. After he got back from FL with his son for training, he told me "everything you've ever been taught about painting, throw it out the window". Might check around your area for a shop that does it? They spray on a base coat, then the chrome, hose it off with water, then blow it dry with air. Yep, pretty well "anti-paint" methods all the way around. This product is even flexible and can be applied to about anything. There is also a product you can do yourself called Easy-Chrome, but it appears to be very expensive. Just a thought, didn't say it was a good one... |
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Mar 2, 2020 5:07:31 GMT -8
Something new to try… Excellent. Thanks.
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