Topic: Chrome Polish Recommendations

[lohebohi]

I am looking for some recommendations for chrome polish.

Does anyone have experience with SimiChrome?  I have heard about this stuff in the past.  I am unable to locate a company website in Germany.  All I can find is links to distributors. 

Also considering,

a. Nevr-dull by Eagle One              http://www.eagleone.com/_products/0,1035605.asp
b. Mother's Chrome Polish             http://www.autogeek.net/motchrompol.html
c. Flitz                                        http://www.flitz.com/


I thought I had heard that SimiChrome was the best, but I have also heard that all Chrome polishes work great.  Is SimiChrome carried by any of the major Auto Parts stores or can I find it at a paint shop? 

[Tim.]

I use Autosol on pretty much everything.

[TwoTired]

Semichrome is an excellent polish, you must supply your own rag to apply it.  And, results can vary depending on the composition and abrasion qualities of the rag chosen.

Flitz is slightly less abrasive.  So, it takes a bit longer polishing dulled surfaces.  You supply your own rag for this, too.

Nevr-Dull, is supplied with it's own wadding.  You only need a soft rag for final buffing.

I haven't used Mother's Chrome Polish.  So, no comment.

I don't know that any of these leaves any kind of protective film behind after use. The first three can be used on aluminum, though.

However, 0000 steel wool works wonders on chrome.  I prefer it to all those listed above on Chrome.  Don't use it on aluminum or paint coatings.

Cheers,

[Jonesy]

Outside of using a buffing wheel and polishing compound sticks, I've used Simichrome and Mothers. I'd say simichrome has a slight edge over mother's in terms of bringing back a neglected finish. I thought simichrome is supposed to leave a film that protects the surface, but I'm not sure. Most motorcycle shops carry simichrome and the mothers is available at most hardware stores. They both cost about the same= expensive!

[rob]

I have got mothers chrome polish, and I wasn't all that impressed to tell you the truth.   I used it with a both blue shop towels, and the finest steel wool I could find.  The difference between the shine of just steel wool compared with mothers+steel wool was almost neglible.

Rob

[gaijin]

I've used Turtlewax's chrome polish to good effect, works well. It claims to leave behind a protective coating for the chrome, so that might be an incentive vs straight steel wool?

[Uncle Ernie]

Depends on how bad the chrome is. Semichrome is the most abraisive on the list. For just shinning and light stuff, very fine steel wool and tooth paste or WD40 works. For really tough stuff, polishing compound would be needed.  On pipes and mufflers, any protective coating will last only to the end of the block.

[Vatch]

So what have people used for aluminum on the engine.  The engine seems to have some film or sealant on it.  I'm guessing that needs to come off.  There are some oxidation marks I would like to rub out.

Used mothers, it's ok, but not great. 

[keiths]

I use Mother's Mag and Aluminium Polish on most of the metal on my bike. I remove light rust on chrome with very fine steel wool and try to protect everything with Mother's wax. Aluminium oxidation pits the surface and the Mag polish seems more abrasive than polishing compound, but its still a lot of rubbing by hand. The Mag polish is abrasive enough to remove the yellowed coating on the aluminium covers with some work.

[rob]

While the topic is out there, does anyone know of something that can be put onto chrome to protect it?  Like a clear coat finish to prevent more oxidization from forming? 

Rob

[eldar]

you can use nevr-dull on aluminum as well.

For chrome protection, this is only useful on parts that do not get hot.

[pmpski_1]

I've heard of a product called ZoopSeal that is supposed to be a sealer type product for polished pieces.

http://www.eastwood.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=5158&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=zoops

I haven't used it so I can't tell you if it is any good. For the price it better be.

[Buffo]

Steel wool leaves steel particals in the pores of the metal/chrome you that scrub and it oxidizes (rusts) in the pores of your beloved chrome/metal. And once something starts to rust... 

Brass or copper wool is what we use on boats because it doesnt rust. works just as good as steel.

Yes even stainless steel rusts.

Don

[schneider419]

i use never dull on my 72 350 F. it is easy to apply, cleans the part well, and seems to last a long time. although it doesn't seem as slippery as a wax.