Author Topic: Polish Chrome ? (Read 2437 times)

rddcw · « **on:** August 30, 2015, 05:01:56 AM »

What are you Guys using to Polish up your Chrome ? My K4 has a lot of small pits on the chrome pieces I like to clean up without replacing the parts all together.

Stev-o · « **Reply #1 on:** August 30, 2015, 05:16:53 AM »

I use WD40 (or equivalent) and 000 steel wool (very fine) to remove minor surface rust and then use Simichome to polish. Although the chrome plating on these old Hondas wasn't the best, you may be surprised with the results this procedure will bring.

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2015, 05:44:17 AM »

I do what Steve said, but add this in the mix.

Stev-o · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2015, 06:30:09 AM »

Quote from: chewbacca5000 on August 30, 2015, 05:44:17 AM

I do what Steve said, but add this in the mix.

Jealous! ^^^

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 30, 2015, 06:32:11 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on August 30, 2015, 06:30:09 AM

Quote from: chewbacca5000 on August 30, 2015, 05:44:17 AM
I do what Steve said, but add this in the mix.

Jealous! ^^^

I did up a whole bunch of covers recently. Mirror polished. You can see yourself in them. Gets addictive. Just keeps shinning brighter.

jeffg · « **Reply #5 on:** August 30, 2015, 08:37:06 AM »

ooooh aaaaah

nice

Don R · « **Reply #6 on:** August 30, 2015, 09:23:05 AM »

I'm betting that buffer can throw parts through the wall!

mystic_1 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 30, 2015, 09:44:11 AM »

Just a minor quibble, but what most people think of as the "chrome plating" is actually the underlying nickle plating. That's what makes it look silver, the chromium is a layer on top of that. "Triple chrome plating" refers to the process of plating first with copper, then with nickle, then with chromium.

Once you have pitting, that means the chromium layer is compromised, and you can polish away the rust but the pits remain. The polishing will brighten up the exposed nickle, but unless you keep it waxed than the corrosion will return. Because the chromium layer is so hard, the polishing buff tends to skip over it without biting in, so the polishing action gets focused onto the pitted area which is good. It IS possible to polish your way through the chromium though, making things worse, so don't go too hard on it.

If your bike is stored indoors and your environment is not too hot or humid or salty than waxing once a year or so will keep things looking fresh.

An aggressive buffer like chewbacca5000's will work a treat on unplated aluminum parts and give you a fabulous finish. It'll burn right through actual chrome plating though, so for minor pitting I would suggest the ultra-fine-steel-wool-plus-oil method that Stev-o mentioned. Crumbled up aluminum foil with light oil is another old-school method for doing this.

Start saving up now and someday consider having the parts re-chromed. Check out member MCRider's bike for some really amazing chrome work and leads on some plating services. Fresh well-done chrome is a beautiful thing to behold! http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,36459.0.html

mystic_1

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #8 on:** August 30, 2015, 11:06:12 AM »

Myself, I would NEVER use an abrasive like Simichrome or steel wool on GOOD chrome. NevRDull for me. That chrome layer is much thinner than a sheet of paper. Perhaps a little vinegar to dissolve minor rust.

Powderman · « **Reply #9 on:** August 30, 2015, 02:59:53 PM »

Quote from: Don R on August 30, 2015, 09:23:05 AM

I'm betting that buffer can throw parts through the wall!

Was polishing the drain screw on a Harley lower leg a week or so ago, snatched it out of my fingers and shot it across the room. Took 2 days to find it.

Duanob · « **Reply #10 on:** August 30, 2015, 03:04:46 PM »

Quote from: Powderman on August 30, 2015, 02:59:53 PM

Quote from: Don R on August 30, 2015, 09:23:05 AM
I'm betting that buffer can throw parts through the wall!
Was polishing the drain screw on a Harley lower leg a week or so ago, snatched it out of my fingers and shot it across the room. Took 2 days to find it.

I've broke more tappet covers from trying to polish than removing and tightening.

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 30, 2015, 05:12:39 PM »

Quote from: Don R on August 30, 2015, 09:23:05 AM

I'm betting that buffer can throw parts through the wall!

I did catch and edge one or twice and it almost twisted my wrist off.

That is some good advice mystic_1, has there. I wonder if my buffer will remove the chrome from one my aluminum side covers. That would be great! those things are hard to come by.

Desert-SOHC · « **Reply #12 on:** August 30, 2015, 06:09:38 PM »

0000 steel wool dripping with windex, wont scratch and removes rust and gunk from chrome. Then wax with the same thing you do on your paint, for me that's Citrus Pledge and a microfiber towel. I've used this method for over 20 years with good results.

Powderman · « **Reply #13 on:** August 30, 2015, 08:01:04 PM »

Your buffer will not remove the chrome.

70CB750 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 31, 2015, 04:52:12 AM »

+1 on Simichrome.

greenjeans · « **Reply #15 on:** August 31, 2015, 12:11:14 PM »

I've always heard that you can't polish chrome....only "clean" it. I use WD-40 and 0000 steel wool, then wax

Stev-o · « **Reply #16 on:** August 31, 2015, 05:10:43 PM »

*Dont try this at home, he is a professional!

fitzmotor · « **Reply #17 on:** August 31, 2015, 06:20:45 PM »

You owe it to yourself to try 0000 steel wool, it's amazing on lightly rusted chrome.

It's gotta be 0000, nothing coarser.

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #18 on:** August 31, 2015, 06:34:05 PM »

Quote from: Duanob on August 30, 2015, 03:04:46 PM

I've broke more tappet covers from trying to polish than removing and tightening.

Rafi (aka edwardmorris) showed me a neat trick to use on those. Works like a charm.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,141761.msg1628706.html#msg1628706

Look about 2 posts down from that one and he includes a photo to show you what he's talking about. Awesome tip.

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Author Topic: Polish Chrome ? (Read 2437 times)