Cleaning and caring for Chrome. Best methods.

[ghostrider2000]

Hi, I recently saw some conflict on waxing chrome and it got me to thinking what the best method of caring for and cleaning chrome was. Searching the internet, I came across this response to that question from a female owner of a chrome shop. Hope this helps those that have had questions.

"I am the female owner of Custom Wors Plating and Polishing. I noticed this question and couldn't resist answering. I get this question a lot from my customers and people on the street. Chrome is not anything more than a clear coat over your nickel to keep it from oxidizing. Using ANYTHING abrasive will cause you to literally rub the chrome off. The best thing to use on chrome is just plain old soap and water or glass cleaner. You should always keep it waxed with a CARNUBA wax. This is non abrasive and will protect your chrome. Keeping chrome clean will preserve it for a long time. If your chrome is showing rust you should have it rechromed because if not it will continue to rust. This just means there is nothing covering the bare metal and will continue to rust. If you would like to see the true chrome process go to www.customworksplating.com or call me and I will help you as much as possible."

It was also showing to use 0000 steel wool to get rid of rust on chrome if you are unable to replate the piece for some reason. This was from a different source than the Chromer above.

[Shockwave]

Black powdercoat fixes all the chrome problems.

[Shoe]

Originally Posted by Shockwave

Black powdercoat fixes all the chrome problems.

Yes....I find that making my chrome something other than chrome makes it so my chrome will never go bad.

[GJarrett]

Another great option to your original post is a product called Nevr-Dull.

[nightrob]

Never is great stuff, also if you do have chrome that is beginning to rust you can clean it up and clear coat it.

[Faast Ed]

It was also showing to use 0000 steel wool to get rid of rust on chrome if you are unable to replate the piece for some reason. This was from a different source than the Chromer above.

Darn right a Chromer would not post that. I saw a guy have good luck with real old highly Rusted Chrome by using the 0000 steel wool, it cleaned up real well, but it was not perfect.

To use the same 0000 steel wool on nice chrome to remove a mark - will permanently swirl your chrome.

Steel wool = bad idea

You gotta baby it, as if it was paint.

Also, waxing chrome that gets hot sometimes has issues where the wax discolors with heat. (exhaust pipes) Depends on the wax I suppose.

[kustom_flames]

I use a spray detailer product called Captain Richard's BEst - used to be called BOM. Very good stuff - clearcoat safe as well as works great on all parts, including chrome. I have also used 3000 grit trizact on my DA to brings some life back to older chrome (have a 65 chevy w/ chrome bumpers).

Good info though and am heading to that link now...thanks for the post!
Pat

[GJarrett]

I also question carnuba wax as a suggestion. I wonder if that woman actually owns a motorcycle. Carnuba wax will melt like butter especially in the summertime, which is why cageowners who swear by it are always spending every weekend re-waxing their rides. I would think it would last about three days here in the sun, and about five minutes if applied to my chrome exhaust pipes.

[neonhomer]

Y`know that's the 2nd time I have seen that excerpt on a Harley webpage.

I have used 0000 steel wool to clean the chrome on my bike where it has rusted, and it works pretty well, but if it is rusting, it will continue to rust.