The best way to avoid having to restore chrome parts is to keep them clean. But there are many elements to keeping or bringing back that shine you love so much.
By polishing or rechroming, removing dust and grime, and finishing with a metal polish, you will help to preserve your chrome, possibly for years to come. There are also some tips on what you should avoid doing when cleaning chrome.
Polishing vs. rechroming
Chrome parts on vehicles are lustrous and stunning, but only if maintained. These parts can get grimy, dented and rusted as you drive, especially with chromed hubcaps and front grills. If your chrome parts stay rusted for a long period of time, they can become permanently pitted.
Ultimately, the best thing you can do is monitor your chrome parts and clean them the moment they get dirty. Of course, this isn’t an option for most vehicle owners. If you’re restoring a classic car, for example, the chrome could already be scratched and pitted, and replacement car parts may not be readily available.
When rusting occurs, there are two options: polish the chrome surface, or rechrome individual parts. Generally, you’ll have to rechrome a pitted part. You might get lucky: if the rust is not embedded deep into the chrome, you should be able to clean it yourself.
Removing rust and cleaning the chrome
The best solution for removing rust off chrome vehicle parts is also a surprising one — aluminum foil. Get yourself a sheet of aluminum foil, dip it in water and lightly rub the rusty surface. This will help dissolve the rust. As aluminum foil is softer than chrome, careful use could mean absolutely no scratches on the surface.
Using an old toothbrush is fine for nooks and crannies, but it must be done correctly. The bristles can’t be too hard, as not to scratch the chrome. If they’re too soft, they won’t be effective. You’ll need to find a balance between the two before you begin.
Use a metal or chrome polish once you finish removing grime and rust. This will ensure your vehicle’s chrome parts look their best. It will also help to hide any small scratches made after maintenance. Soon, you’ll have a shiny and rust-free piece of chromed metal.
What not to do
Getting rid of rust is tricky, depending on existing damage. One alternative to aluminum foil is using a very fine steel wool to scrub away tough messes (with a rating of 0000). The issue here is there’s always a chance you may scratch the chrome with such a coarse material. No matter what you choose to do, always choose to be careful.
Keep chrome hubcaps off your vehicle during the winter. Road salt will easily damage chromed surfaces. It’s unnecessary, preventable damage that can be time consuming to repair. Besides, there’s no point in parading your chromed elements in a low-visibility snowstorm.
Additionally, while using aluminum foil and water on chrome vehicle parts is a good idea, do not wash the chrome in greasy water. You will create a tough residue, effectively ruining the finish, and causing you even more problems. The last thing you want is a headache from your brand new or restored car or truck.
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