I'll try not to turn this into a p------g contest, so I will
be brief.
Of course chrome polish is abrasive. And no, you
shouldn't use chrome polish every time you clean your chrome, because you will
eventually polish it right off. But you can often get some pretty
nasty looking chrome into show or near show quality condition with 0000 steel
wool and chrome polish. This assumes that the chrome plating has not
worn off, in which case nothing will bring back the original
luster.
There are many abrasives out there. Cleaner wax is
abrasive, albeit very mild. White rubbing compound is more abrasive.
Red rubbing compound is very abrasive. And there are many additional
levels between. Each has its uses. All can be abused. And no,
I do not recommend harsh abrasives on chrome. And the steel wool I'm
talking about is the kind you can polish varnished wood furniture with -
something I thought I explained in my response.
I don't know how many years experience you have, Frank, or
with how many different cars, but I've been cleaning and polishing cars (and
chrome) for 40 years, have a 10-car garage full of 35-50 year old cars, and have
won quite a few show trophies over the years.
Sorry, I'm just not in the mood for a
lecture.
Curtis
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2003 11:34
PM
Subject: Re: [FWDLK] Interior Chrome
Polishing!
Hello All,
I don't know how many times I have to
say this but......
NEVER use any harsh abrasives, steel wool or
chrome polishes on chrome. Use Nu-Finish and alot of elbow grease for all of
the chrome, etc. You will be very happy with the results and you'll save a ton
on rechroming. I talked with Pauls chrome plating on polishing chrome and they
highly recommend this procedure to maintain their show chrome and to
rejuvenate old chrome. Chrome polish is a stripper as it takes microscopic
layers of the chrome off and dulls the finish. Most fwd lk interior pieces
also included anodized aluminum as well. You should never polish that either.
Use the Nu-Finish. All I do with my used pieces is wash them off (after I
remove them of course) in warm/hot water with car wash detergent and let
them air dry. Then I follow up with the Nu-Finish and alot of elbow grease. If
I'm really in the mood, I'll take a ventilated cotton flap wheel and some
white rouge and do a final polishing at 2850 RPM. Then, I'll remove the
buffing compound with diluted acetone and then put a coat of turtle wax on it
to seal the finsih. Yeah, it takes awhile, and
yeah, you'll work your fingers raw but you won't have to rechrome or reanodize
the parts if you take your time. Take the advice from someone who pi$%ed alot
of money away on replating when if I knew better before I could have saved
alot of $. I mean no disrespect to any of who gave advice. I've had a couple
folks that I've done radios for ask me the trick on how I got the chrome faces
so shiny again. So, there's the secret. Hope it serves you all well.
Take Care,
Frank
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2003 8:56
PM
Subject: Re: [FWDLK] Interior Chrome
Polishing!
IMHO, wire wheel or brush is WAY too coarse.
Try super fine (0000) steel wool - polishing grade, not the dishwashing
stuff - with some white (NOT red) rubbing compound or chrome polish.
This will remove tarnish and mild rust stains/dots without scratching the
chrome.
Curtis
56 Belvedere
59 Coronet
Tallahassee, FL
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2003
8:30 PM
Subject: [FWDLK] Interior Chrome
Polishing!
Does anyone know how to clean, or
polish the interior chrome? I though I read somewhere that you can
use a wire brush or wire wheel.
Thanks everyone! Joey 1957
Savoy Dickinson, Texas
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