Author Topic: What's a real strong chrome cleaner ?  (Read 1866 times)

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Offline grcamna2

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What's a real strong chrome cleaner ?
« on: October 04, 2023, 09:52:27 PM »
Hi,I've got good chrome on a set of pipes but they haven't been wiped-down/cleaned in decades & there's surface rust.
I just purchased them and want to clean them real good before installing them.
I have used Never Dull(a type of wadded-up stuff that looks a lot like fiberglass insulation)and that worked good.
 I'd like a stronger liquid type similar to Dupont Chrome polish from the late 70's:that good product isn't available anymore. The strong stuff with some 'tooth' to it if possible.  thanks,Bill
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts'
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Offline Alan F.

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Re: What's a real strong chrome cleaner ?
« Reply #1 on: October 04, 2023, 10:57:24 PM »
I've used Mothers, and Turtle Wax makes one too.

Offline seanbarney41

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Re: What's a real strong chrome cleaner ?
« Reply #2 on: October 04, 2023, 11:05:08 PM »
Yeah...turtle wax is good I used mine all up.  Now I got Brasso.  Works good too, maybe a little stronger cleaning action with a stronger ammonia smell.  I pour it on to 0000 steel wool and scrub away.
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline Sw1ssdude

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Re: What's a real strong chrome cleaner ?
« Reply #3 on: October 05, 2023, 12:03:45 AM »
Use those soapy 0000-steel wool pads from a hardware store (oven cleaner pads), they will clean chrome real nice without leaving a scratch. just soak them in water and go at it, with light to medium pressure.

also works well on aluminium (aluminum?), to knock down white oxidation, but on soft aluminium, brass, or paint there is more abrasion involved, even though its still minuscule..

but for refreshing blind or dull chrome, and knocking down light rust, steel wool pads are great!
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Offline grcamna2

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Re: What's a real strong chrome cleaner ?
« Reply #4 on: October 05, 2023, 12:14:57 AM »
Use those soapy 0000-steel wool pads from a hardware store (oven cleaner pads), they will clean chrome real nice without leaving a scratch. just soak them in water and go at it, with light to medium pressure.

also works well on aluminium (aluminum?), to knock down white oxidation, but on soft aluminium, brass, or paint there is more abrasion involved, even though its still minuscule..

but for refreshing blind or dull chrome, and knocking down light rust, steel wool pads are great!

The SOS steel wool pads I've seen all look more coarse than the #0000 ultra fine 'un-soaped' steel wool pads.
Where do you purchase #0000 soapy steel wool pads ?
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline grcamna2

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Re: What's a real strong chrome cleaner ?
« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2023, 12:17:45 AM »
Yeah...turtle wax is good I used mine all up.  Now I got Brasso.  Works good too, maybe a little stronger cleaning action with a stronger ammonia smell.  I pour it on to 0000 steel wool and scrub away.

Sean,it's Turtle Wax pour-on liquid chrome cleaner,do you have a product number of the stuff that works best for you ?
I just wonder about the stuff they sell here in Ca.,might be weak.
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline Scott S

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Re: What's a real strong chrome cleaner ?
« Reply #6 on: October 05, 2023, 03:05:37 AM »
 0000 steel wool and Windex, followed by a good chrome polish, like the ones mentioned above. You can use the chrome polish/steel wool combo together as well. I finish up with chrome polish and a soft rag.

 I get 0000 steel wool from Lowe's or the hardware store.
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: What's a real strong chrome cleaner ?
« Reply #7 on: October 05, 2023, 07:20:45 AM »
I've used 000 steel wool and WD-40 to remove surface rust, works well.
Simichrome is about the best polish out there...


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Offline seanbarney41

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Re: What's a real strong chrome cleaner ?
« Reply #8 on: October 05, 2023, 08:31:59 AM »
Yeah...turtle wax is good I used mine all up.  Now I got Brasso.  Works good too, maybe a little stronger cleaning action with a stronger ammonia smell.  I pour it on to 0000 steel wool and scrub away.

Sean,it's Turtle Wax pour-on liquid chrome cleaner,do you have a product number of the stuff that works best for you ?
I just wonder about the stuff they sell here in Ca.,might be weak.
no, sorry...pretty sure I just bought it at the hardware store
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline carnivorous chicken

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Re: What's a real strong chrome cleaner ?
« Reply #9 on: October 05, 2023, 08:38:01 AM »
Easy Off oven cleaner. Spray and a wait a little.

Offline grcamna2

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Re: What's a real strong chrome cleaner ?
« Reply #10 on: October 05, 2023, 09:37:38 AM »
0000 steel wool and Windex, followed by a good chrome polish, like the ones mentioned above. You can use the chrome polish/steel wool combo together as well. I finish up with chrome polish and a soft rag.

 I get 0000 steel wool from Lowe's or the hardware store.

Scott,I have #0000 steel wool pads w/o soap;I love the way they polish with no scratches in the chrome later.
I want to get a very strong liquid chrome cleaner to use together with them;Turtle Wax chrome cleaner sounds like what's recommended.
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline Stev-o

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Re: What's a real strong chrome cleaner ?
« Reply #11 on: October 05, 2023, 12:27:08 PM »
0000 steel wool and Windex, followed by a good chrome polish, like the ones mentioned above. You can use the chrome polish/steel wool combo together as well. I finish up with chrome polish and a soft rag.

 I get 0000 steel wool from Lowe's or the hardware store.

Turtle Wax chrome cleaner sounds like what's recommended.

Appears like they have a couple types...

https://www.google.com/search?q=Turtle+Wax+chrome+cleaner&rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS786US786&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
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Offline Kelly E

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Re: What's a real strong chrome cleaner ?
« Reply #12 on: October 05, 2023, 03:45:50 PM »
Quick -Glo chrome cleaner/rust remover. It works great and it's made in Louisiana.
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1974 Honda CB 550 K0                                            1971 MGB/GT
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport                          1972 MGB/GT
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD                                   1985 GMC S15
1978 Kawasaki KL 250
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
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Offline grcamna2

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Re: What's a real strong chrome cleaner ?
« Reply #13 on: October 05, 2023, 03:55:07 PM »
Quick -Glo chrome cleaner/rust remover. It works great and it's made in Louisiana.

I watched a review,seemed ok.
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: What's a real strong chrome cleaner ?
« Reply #14 on: October 05, 2023, 04:39:28 PM »
I use a mix of Autosol and Mothers Chrome Polish. Does a fine job, right after the 0000 soap pads.

Online Don R

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Re: What's a real strong chrome cleaner ?
« Reply #15 on: October 05, 2023, 05:34:48 PM »
 Turtle wax chrome cleaner sometimes with either 0000 steel wool or aluminum foil.
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Offline grcamna2

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Re: What's a real strong chrome cleaner ?
« Reply #16 on: October 05, 2023, 05:40:38 PM »
I've also used a small blue-handle brass bristle welder's brush on heavy deposits a few times,just to remove the crusty rust;it didn't leave scratches.  I appreciate the feedback.
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline jgger

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Re: What's a real strong chrome cleaner ?
« Reply #17 on: October 05, 2023, 06:18:09 PM »
I've used 000 steel wool and WD-40 to remove surface rust, works well.
Simichrome is about the best polish out there...




This stuff is great,  I have used it since the late 60's
Quick -Glo chrome cleaner/rust remover. It works great and it's made in Louisiana.

Kelly E, if you use enough of that other bottle, even rusted through pipes start to look good!
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Offline HondaMan

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Re: What's a real strong chrome cleaner ?
« Reply #18 on: October 05, 2023, 06:42:20 PM »
I've used 000 steel wool and WD-40 to remove surface rust, works well.
Simichrome is about the best polish out there...



+1 (x3). Best stuff.
If used on aluminum (like the front forks) it also seals the surface: I used in on my fork lowers in 1972 (after removing the varnish from Honda) and they still look new, no pitting. Works on clutch/brake levers, wheels, spokes too.
See SOHC4shop.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

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Offline Kelly E

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Re: What's a real strong chrome cleaner ?
« Reply #19 on: October 05, 2023, 07:35:52 PM »
I've used 000 steel wool and WD-40 to remove surface rust, works well.
Simichrome is about the best polish out there...




This stuff is great,  I have used it since the late 60's
Quick -Glo chrome cleaner/rust remover. It works great and it's made in Louisiana.

Kelly E, if you use enough of that other bottle, even rusted through pipes start to look good!

That bottle is for when you are done with the polishing  8)
Never Give Up - Never Surrender

The Rust Bros. Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB 550 K0                                            1971 MGB/GT
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport                          1972 MGB/GT
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD                                   1985 GMC S15
1978 Kawasaki KL 250
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
1983 Honda CB 1100F
1984 Honda VF 700S Sabre
1984 Honda VF 1000F Interceptor
1990 Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans
1994 Kawasaki Concours ZG 1000A9
2005 Harley Davidson Fat Boy

Offline newday777

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Re: What's a real strong chrome cleaner ?
« Reply #20 on: October 05, 2023, 08:30:56 PM »
I've used 000 steel wool and WD-40 to remove surface rust, works well.
Simichrome is about the best polish out there...



+1 (x3). Best stuff.
If used on aluminum (like the front forks) it also seals the surface: I used in on my fork lowers in 1972 (after removing the varnish from Honda) and they still look new, no pitting. Works on clutch/brake levers, wheels, spokes too.
And engine covers too. My K5 was done years ago as well as my original K6 when I bought it new in 76.
Stu
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My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 1 K2, 4 K6, 1 K8, 1 F1, 1 F3
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A