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Message started by seviersavage on 10/11/09 at 06:35:52

Title: cleaning rusty pitted chrome?
Post by seviersavage on 10/11/09 at 06:35:52

I bought some shocks that have pits and rust on the chrome, I want to recondition them as well as possible. Returning them to new condition will be impossible but whats the best way to make them look the best they can?
Solvent, polish, ?
Seviersavage

Title: Re: cleaning rusty pitted chrome?
Post by Charon on 10/11/09 at 08:10:15

I'd start with the mildest technique first - soap and water and a non-metallic brush to get the grime off. I might then go to a wipedown with something like WD-40. I would then go to a soft metal brush, such as a brass or bronze gun-cleaning brush, with or without solvent such as water or WD-40. With any luck that would get off most of the rust and cause no more damage to the chrome. It is sometimes recommended to use very fine - 0000 - steel wool to clean rust spots off blued guns, as being something that will get the rust without damaging the bluing. It might work on chrome. Once the rust is off you could try an automotive paste wax for protection.

If none of that works, sell the rusty shocks to a rat-biker.

Title: Re: cleaning rusty pitted chrome?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/11/09 at 08:15:48

Hit them with a good penetrating oil to break the rust down. Let them stay wet a few days if it takes that long to get the deepest rust soaking.
Amazing as it seems ,, Wintergreen OIl walks thru the tightest cracks & loosens nuts on bolts up, so, I expect it would seep into rust, too.
A steel wire brush will screw it up, but brass is okay on chrome. Brush the rust out.

Many rust treatments out there. I like Ospho, its a dilute phosphoric acid & converts iron oxide to iron phosphate, thus, killing the rust.

I dont think it hurts chrome, but Im not sure. Seems I wiped some on a chrome bumper once but you better check on something you dont care about before you go hog wild.
Ospho is about $12.00 a quart, at Kelly Moore paint stores. A quart lasted me for 7 or 8 years, I finally got a new one. I just keep some around for killing rust in places I dont like rust being,, thats anywhere at all.

Title: Re: cleaning rusty pitted chrome?
Post by thumperclone on 10/11/09 at 08:17:42

after gettin all the rust off chrome paint..our local tru valu hardware store carries it

Title: Re: cleaning rusty pitted chrome?
Post by mumbles on 10/11/09 at 12:12:31

Hit it with some S.O.S cleaning pads. That stuff works wonders on chrome.

Title: Re: cleaning rusty pitted chrome?
Post by FreeSpirit on 10/11/09 at 13:52:55

Just ran across this in my search also for rust removers.

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/best-way-clean-rust-chrome-78043.html

Some say aluminum foil will remove rust....how ,I dont know :-/
Anyway,the link is pretty good.

I've heard fine steel wool works but keep it wet with chrome cleaner or oil,whatever.... or it will scratch the chrome.

Title: Re: cleaning rusty pitted chrome?
Post by groupus on 10/11/09 at 22:32:38

I like the idea of using coke and aluminum foil ;D make sense if you figure that coke has an acidic effect and can dissolve some metals over time. i've used the plastic scrubber side of a dish sponge, but it leaves some marks too. if you really want it to look nice though, use a chrome polish/protector, or if its stubborn soak it in solvent, a fine steel wool, and polishing after.