Brightening up my chrome

[Purple Peril]

The chrome on my '72 Spit is looking tired. Is there any way of cleaning it up or is a case of having to re-chrome. I have had a quote for chroming, which is about half what it would cost for new parts but is still quite expensive.

Ade

[Clive]

only polish, nothing too abrasive unless they are really bad.

[ferny]

Depends whether or not the chrome has been polished through. If it doesn't come up clean with a quick go then they're past it and need re-chroming.

Coke and tin-foil works by the way. ;)

[mikeyb]

ferny wrote:

Depends whether or not the chrome has been polished through. If it doesn't come up clean with a quick go then they're past it and need re-chroming.

Coke and tin-foil works by the way. ;)

pray tell more!   :)

[Nick B.]

adesred90 wrote:

I have had a quote for chroming, which is about half what it would cost for new parts but is still quite expensive.

Rechrome would be to prefer, as a lot of the new parts has inferior chrome which will start pitting in a year or two. If you find a place that  really knows how to chrome that would be the best by far.

Apart from that - I like dull chrome. I gives the car some character - shows that this actually IS an old car that has had some use. Perhaps this is just a convinient opinion due to the fact that I am cheap, and would rather spend money on suspension and engine. ;D

[Deleted User]

has anyone ever used that bloke at stoneliegh who has loads of rechromed bumpers, and sells them around £100 each exchange?

[ferny]

MikeyB wrote:

pray tell more!   :)

The phosphoric acid in the coke desolves the dirt and the foil takes up the shape of what you're cleaning so it has constant contact. If you look at bottles of chrome cleaner you will see they contain phosphoric acid and you can smell it when you use them. Not an idea way of doing it, but it works.

[heraldcoupe]

ferny wrote:

The phosphoric acid in the coke desolves the dirt and the foil takes up the shape of what you're cleaning so it has constant contact.

The tin foil is also picked up in any pits. It won't make passable chrome look A1, but it will make pitted chrome passable,
Cheers,
Bill.

[CharlieB]

Jony5 wrote:

has anyone ever used that bloke at stoneliegh who has loads of rechromed bumpers, and sells them around £100 each exchange?

No, but his name's Ken Munford & I've got his number if anyone wants to try.