The Hillman & Chrysler Avenger Forum

Avenger Related => General Avenger Discussion => Topic started by: Avenger414 on March 25, 2014, 12:28:37 PM

Title: chrome spotted
Post by: Avenger414 on March 25, 2014, 12:28:37 PM
Hi does anyone have any method how to remove those spots from the chrome please?
Title: Re: chrome spotted
Post by: kierbear on March 25, 2014, 01:53:44 PM
id also like to know if anyone has the answers!
Title: Re: chrome spotted
Post by: avenga on March 25, 2014, 03:23:42 PM
Here is how I restore my chrome plus some before and after images.

Tailpipe before

(http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab274/avenga76/1975%20avenger/IMG_8521.jpg)

After cleaning with wet aluminium foil

(http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab274/avenga76/1975%20avenger/IMG_8523.jpg)

After polishing with Autosol

(http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab274/avenga76/1975%20avenger/IMG_8531.jpg)

Back bumper before

(http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab274/avenga76/1975%20avenger/IMG_8525.jpg)

After

(http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab274/avenga76/1975%20avenger/IMG_8542.jpg)

Front quarter bumper

(http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab274/avenga76/1975%20avenger/IMG_8527.jpg)

Grille and badge (need to repaint it)

(http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab274/avenga76/1975%20avenger/IMG_8545.jpg)


1st step.

Clean the bumper with Aluminuim foil and water.

Tear off a strip of Aluminium foil can crush it in to a loose ball. Have a bucket of water handy and dunk the foil in the water then use it to scrub the chrome.

This will remove most of the rust and dirt on the chrome. It works because the aluminium is harder than the rust and dirt but not hard enough to scratch the chrome.

Make sure you use heaps of water.

Step 2

Once the chrome is looking pretty clean it is time to polish it. I use a German product called Autosol. Use a cloth and apply a thin layer of Autosol over the chrome. Do a small section at a time, with the cloth rub the Autosol in to the chrome for a few minutes. After that wait and let it sit for a few minutes, you will see it haze over. After a few minutes grab a new clean cloth and buff the chrome to a bright finish.

Products used

Aluminum foil

(http://ionehellobeautiful.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/tin-foil_3651.jpg)

Crushed into a ball like this

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3e/Aluminium.jpg)

Autosol

(http://40.76.my/Malaysia/autosol-metal-aluminum-chrome-plastic-polish-1201-13-tylerstreet78%401.jpg)

Polishing clothes

(http://www.foosballtablesdirect.com/polishcloth.jpg)
Title: Re: chrome spotted
Post by: kierbear on March 25, 2014, 03:52:30 PM
that was quite severe huh! can you not get rid of the spots alltogether? there still seem to be some in the tailpipe
Title: Re: chrome spotted
Post by: kierbear on March 25, 2014, 03:56:14 PM
Mine is only to this extent

(http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m513/kieraoliver/Mobile%20Uploads/20140325_155254.jpg) (http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/kieraoliver/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140325_155254.jpg.html)
Title: Re: chrome spotted
Post by: avenga on March 25, 2014, 07:10:01 PM
Yeah, I could have polished it more with the Autosol but because the tailpipe is so low down on the car it looks fine at normal eye level.

I used to do stainless steel welding and polishing when I was a teen, before I got in to IT so I am used to polishing stainless steel boat rails etc. It is all about how much elbow grease you put in. Back then I used to use a polishing machine but you can do the same by hand, it just takes longer.

Here are some mags for my Charger that I restored using the same method.

Here is a close up before

(http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab274/avenga76/1972%20Charger/P1030781.jpg)

And after there first polish and paint

(http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab274/avenga76/1972%20Charger/P1030788.jpg)

(http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab274/avenga76/1972%20Charger/P1030777.jpg)

And after a final polish

(http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab274/avenga76/1972%20Charger/P1030827.jpg)

(http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab274/avenga76/1972%20Charger/P1030818.jpg)
Title: Re: chrome spotted
Post by: Avenger414 on March 25, 2014, 08:32:03 PM
yes i did it the autosol and with the polisher but still have those small spotted
Title: Re: chrome spotted
Post by: avenga on March 25, 2014, 09:21:19 PM
You could try some 0000 grade steel wool. It is very fine so it shouldn't case a problem.

You could maybe try a more abrasive polish or cutting compound but you need to be really careful with chrome because the chrome plating is usually very thin, usually only a few microns think and it is pretty easy to polish all the way through the chrome and down to the metal below.

If it has already got down to the base metal beneath the chrome then it is too late to polish it and you would have to get it re-chromed.
Title: Re: chrome spotted
Post by: Avenger414 on March 26, 2014, 04:24:13 AM
Yes thats what im going to do rechrome is better i think
Title: Re: chrome spotted
Post by: Avenger414 on April 10, 2014, 02:28:06 AM
Hello everyone,can someone tell me where i can send my chrome to be rechromed please,somewhere in UK because i have to ship them from Malta please
Title: Re: chrome spotted
Post by: avenga on April 10, 2014, 08:59:41 AM
You should be able to find someone local in Malta or at least closer than UK.

Just look for and electroplater nearby that does chrome.

A quick google search came up with these guys in Malta who do Chrome plating.

http://www.secaplating.com/page.asp?id=5 (http://www.secaplating.com/page.asp?id=5)