Chrome Care
 

Was at a local car show this weekend that had 300 cars. The majority of the cars were customs, very few antiques. While admiring one of the custom cars I told the owner I was impressed with the gleam of his chrome bumpers. He told me that most people don't know how to take care of chrome. He then went on to say that you should not put car wax on the chrome. I told him that I always did that thinking it would be a protectant. He said that the chrome has to breathe and that the wax would prevent that and cause the finish to fail. He said he just uses Windex to clean it off. I have never heard this before. Are there any chrome specialists on the Barn? Just being curious. Thanks, Stan.

Re: Chrome Care
 

There are quite a few chrome domes on the Barn. Will that help? LOL

Re: Chrome Care
 

Here in Southern California, there isn't any more water to use on such frivolous things like stewardship of valuable vehicles. Even though DMV fees are some of the highest in the world. I use Windex to clean the car, works great. I also use $.99 furniture polish. Also works great.

Plenty of government agencies to levy very heavy fines for using what water remains. Its truly a visually beautiful state! Its all the humans that live here that are treated like an infestation by the state government. But my car is clean!!!!

Re: Chrome Care
 

LOL :D Lawson. Were you talking about me again?? :)

Re: Chrome Care
 

In the '50s we used Coke to remove rust and shine chrome. It worked so good I stopped drinking Coke. What is their secret ingredient ?

Re: Chrome Care
 

In the early '70 I had a friend in the Air Force who had a '69 Barracuda. the only thing he used on the whole exterior of the car was Lemon Pledge. the car was always spotless, and the paint finish seemed to have an extra smooth feel to it. used it on the chrome, stainless and the paint.------Jim

Re: Chrome Care
 

I've been watching this thread as I also would love to hear the correct way to take care of chrome????????????
Thanks

Re: Chrome Care
 

Me too.

Re: Chrome Care
 

Rattlesnake urine is supposed to be good. R.I.P

Re: Chrome Care
 

Trying to clean up some old mag wheels that none of the usual products would do any good, I found a metal cleaner I had used in my salt water boating days. It is called Brite Boy and as a cleaner is is fantastic. It uses some sort of chemical action rather than just abrasive action I think.

Re: Chrome Care
 

Wonder what this has to do with chrome bumpers ?

Re: Chrome Care
 

Sorry if I wasted your time with my comment. I personally get a lot of interesting info from all info posted. Brite Boy works on CHROMe also. Gee Whiz.

Re: Chrome Care
 

I got it. Thanks for the info.

Re: Chrome Care
 

I appreciated your comment, also. Thanks

Re: Chrome Care
 

I am wondering about the coke on rusty chrome.. Have to try it on some pitted die cast parts I have.. I know I have used it for getting tar smell out of work cloths (Works great, but not sure how that applies to chrome bumpers, so excuse me if it doesn't)

Re: Chrome Care
 

Never heard of chrome rusting, it's the steel that's under the chrome.
Die cast parts are not steel and don't rust but what's under the chrome corrodes.

Re: Chrome Care
 

Coke has phosphoric acid in there. This is the main ingredient in naval jelly. It will remove the iron oxide that builds up on the surface of the chrome plating.

Cleaning chrome plated surfaces is generally a process of removing the oxide build up that comes from the dis-similar metal transfer that naturally occurs when the surface is oxidized by moist air and water that come in contact with it (galvanic corrosion). I've heard that aluminum foil dipped in water is one of the best ways to polish chrome. Products like Simi-chrome, Auto-Sol, and other products usually use ammonium hydroxide to react with the oxides and a polish cream that mixes with the oxides and actually uses them as the abrasive to polish the surface.

If you want a plating to last, you have to store it away from the natural oxidizers (store in an air conditioned garage) or put a barrier wax on the surface to slow down the oxidation process. Polish an already thin coating too much and eventually the coating will be dulled and thinned to a point that it will no longer shine like new.

Pledge wax goes on easy so it's not a bad way to go but it does build up over time and can start to yellow. It can be removed during a polish or by use of a commercial wax & grease remover.