Restoring/polishing chrome and stainless
12-16-2018, 09:36 AM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Restoring/polishing chrome and stainless
Morning everyone! While my car is out for the winter for paint I was looking to clean up the chrome and stainless pieces. I’ve read all sorts of advice from aluminum foil, polish, windex, etc. Others have said to never use anything but wax otherwise you’ll remove the chrome layer on top and lead to rust. The pieces I have are straight but have swirl marks in them, doesnt feel like scratches.
So what is my best course of action? Just wax them to shine them up and protect them? What about the stainless pieces? Same thing?
So what is my best course of action? Just wax them to shine them up and protect them? What about the stainless pieces? Same thing?
12-16-2018, 11:30 AM
#2
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '05
Metal polish for chrome, stainless can be buffed up to look super sharp have to be careful though.
12-16-2018, 01:50 PM
#3
Team Owner
Repairing stainless trim can be done, but it takes someone with good skills to do it. Polishing stainless is a relatively easy task. Remove any clips from the back side and mark where they go. Clean the pieces well....front and back (you do not want any dirt on back to vibrate loose and get into the polishing wheel). Use a loose cotton wheel and green polishing compound.
Make sure wheel is dressed clean of old 'stuff' and put some green compound on it. Wear gloves and face shield!!! Hold part so it lines up with wheel and use moderate force to apply the part to the wheel. Always keep some slow movement going with the part so the contact point doesn't get hot.
ALWAYS have the wheel running down and OVER any lips or edges. NEVER have the wheel turning into edges of any kind. Follow these two absolute rules and be patient. With a little practice and careful application of the part to the wheel surface, your stainless pieces can look BETTER than new.
Make sure wheel is dressed clean of old 'stuff' and put some green compound on it. Wear gloves and face shield!!! Hold part so it lines up with wheel and use moderate force to apply the part to the wheel. Always keep some slow movement going with the part so the contact point doesn't get hot.
ALWAYS have the wheel running down and OVER any lips or edges. NEVER have the wheel turning into edges of any kind. Follow these two absolute rules and be patient. With a little practice and careful application of the part to the wheel surface, your stainless pieces can look BETTER than new.
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20mercury (12-16-2018)
12-16-2018, 06:17 PM
#4
Drifting
Thread Starter
Thanks for the input. The stainless is in good shape. Has some old wax/crud in some pieces. Chrome original pieces that I’m using could use some polishing and hopefully get rid of the swirl marks.
12-16-2018, 06:58 PM
#5
Instructor
Morning everyone! While my car is out for the winter for paint I was looking to clean up the chrome and stainless pieces. I’ve read all sorts of advice from aluminum foil, polish, windex, etc. Others have said to never use anything but wax otherwise you’ll remove the chrome layer on top and lead to rust. The pieces I have are straight but have swirl marks in them, doesnt feel like scratches.
So what is my best course of action? Just wax them to shine them up and protect them? What about the stainless pieces? Same thing?
So what is my best course of action? Just wax them to shine them up and protect them? What about the stainless pieces? Same thing?
12-17-2018, 05:27 AM
#6
Drifting
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (stock)
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When I got my rear bumpers redone the chrome guy said just to use a wax [he used turtle wax],nothing abrasive . 