Topic: cleaning rust off of chrome with a wire wheel

[bucky katt]

it seems to work pretty fast and i dont SEE any scratching in the chrome. what i'm wondering is, is the rust going to some back worse in other areas ? will the wire wheel damage the chrome? it LOOKS like maybe brass or some other soft wire on the wheel, being used on an angle grinder. i ask because i'd like to use the 1978 750k 4 into 4 exhaust with no paint on them but if i'm going to have thr rust coming back with a vengeance i'm going to want to either paint or save the money and get them ceramic coated. but for the time being i'd really rather run just the stock chrome.

[Hasenkopf]

 I would sooner use brass, just to be on the safe side...

[bucky katt]

i'm pretty sure thats what this wire wheel is. it came in the kit with my ryobi angle grinder.

[dave500]

soak rusty chrome parts in 50/50 mollasses and water for up to two weeks.

[demon78]

I've got a question Buckster is the ceramic coating sprayed on? There might be another option, you could always get them metallized.
Bill the demon.

[scrapvalue]

I have a problem with surface rust on my stock 72 CB750 when I am in florida for the winter.
I have found "Naval Jelly" to work very nice.
You just brush it on and let it set for 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse it off.
I usually do it a couple of times over a 3 month period.
You can get it at any hardware store.
 

[brett_bike]

I used 0000 steel wool and Simple Green, then polished with Pedro's Bike Lust (Bicycle shop item) on my rust covered chrome and it came out great.  Not perfect, but it's rust, what do you expect?

Before and after pipes, and rear wheel partially done.

[ksmith0034]

+1 on the 0000 steel wool.  I've been using it on chrome for decades.  Just make sure it is 0000 (thats 4 zeros) or you will scratch the chrome. 
Oh, and don't use it on any cheap plastic chrome 

[Ichiban 4]

Another  thing that works surprisingly well (I was surprised..the first time I tried it)..is using Mother's chrome and wire wheel cleaner spray (make sure to get the stuff for chrome..and not aluminum..wheels).

Think it's been discussed before on these threads..but the stuff really works (think it has phosphoric acid..et al..in it).  After letting it sit for a few minutes..most if not all of the rust will wipe/wash away.  Even really crusty stuff will come off..but it helps to use like 000 or 0000 steel wool (maybe with a little WD 40 in it) as a follow up..to get the surface smooth-protected again.

Just remember through..that the product..Mother's chrome and wire wheel cleaner..is specific.  Other products..I've found..work only partially as effectively.

Cheers,

Al / Ichi