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    Cleaning chrome rust

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    Grandad

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    I’m posting this after seeing a recent post about cleaning rust from chrome by using abrasive paper circa 3000 grit with WD40

    Seems kind of an aggressive method to me so I’d thought I’d share another solution

    I dare say it will be known to many but just in case it is new to someone it is worth sharing

    I came across this method as a kid who was cleaning up an old and scabby bicycle - my first ever grown up sized cycle so close on 50 yrs ago, grandads do come in handy for lots of things

    Here goes - take a handful of “ tinfoil “ or “ aluminum foil “ dip it in water and rub on the rusty chrome .. bye bye rust !

    ….. and that is simply that, done job !

    Remarkably effective !

    Obviously heavy putting cannot be remedied but other than this the method is really effective
     
    Grandad said:
    I’m posting this after seeing a recent post about cleaning rust from chrome by using abrasive paper circa 3000 grit with WD40

    Seems kind of an aggressive method to me so I’d thought I’d share another solution

    I dare say it will be known to many but just in case it is new to someone it is worth sharing

    I came across this method as a kid who was cleaning up an old and scabby bicycle - my first ever grown up sized cycle so close on 50 yrs ago, grandads do come in handy for lots of things

    Here goes - take a handful of “ tinfoil “ or “ aluminum foil “ dip it in water and rub on the rusty chrome .. bye bye rust !

    ….. and that is simply that, done job !

    Remarkably effective !

    Obviously heavy putting cannot be remedied but other than this the method is really effective
    Click to expand...
    I used to use metal polish (brasso) on a cloth with a bit of garden mud
    It would really polish without eroding too much of the finish
    I've never used the tin foil method but believe it works really well
     
    Funny you should say Brasso and mud ….
    reminds me of bloke I knew who used use
    Pledge wax furniture spray polish on the surface and then sprinkle on talc powder

    He used to use it on chrome / alloy / faded paint

    Seen it in action as a gentle “ polish “ and it worked well enough
     
    Grandad said:
    I’m posting this after seeing a recent post about cleaning rust from chrome by using abrasive paper circa 3000 grit with WD40

    Seems kind of an aggressive method to me so I’d thought I’d share another solution

    I dare say it will be known to many but just in case it is new to someone it is worth sharing

    I came across this method as a kid who was cleaning up an old and scabby bicycle - my first ever grown up sized cycle so close on 50 yrs ago, grandads do come in handy for lots of things

    Here goes - take a handful of “ tinfoil “ or “ aluminum foil “ dip it in water and rub on the rusty chrome .. bye bye rust !

    ….. and that is simply that, done job !

    Remarkably effective !

    Obviously heavy putting cannot be remedied but other than this the method is really effective
    Click to expand...
    vinegar & ten full

    Worked on the H2 and on PIGPEN.

     
    Last edited:
    Lots of cleaning solution out there for sure

    I also like the power of bicarbonate of soda for light stains ( and for cleaning coffee cups lol ! ) and like others think lighter fuel is good as well
     
    For me, it's a brass brush and WD40 followed by alcohol and a chrome pen. Once dry, turtle Wax chrome polish. The chrome pens do not really look like chrome, but they pretty much make pinholes disappear and for things like footrests, they look better than nothing from a few feet away.

    A brass brush will not damage chrome but will get the rust out of small holes in the chrome.
     
    0000 is good but foil is softer so is a level of abuse below 0000

    That said both work well

    Last time I use 0000 was on some Birds Eye maple when I’d run out of flour paper and had a deadline …. 🙏
     
    Foil and water.
    Original 1973 paint and chrome.

    Cleaning chrome rust


    Have used Brasso on taillight and indicator plastic for well over 40 years.

    Cleaning chrome rust Cleaning chrome rust

    Pledge, three cans at a time. (Some is even used for its intended purpose)
    Brass brushes two at a time.

    Cleaning chrome rust


    Cleaning chrome rust
     
    Oxalic acid attacks rust but leaves chrome untouched, a very mild and safe acid as it the same acid that gives rhubarb its sour taste. Also good for removing the grey discoloured surface on weathered untreated wood as prep for staining.
     
    kommando said:
    Oxalic acid attacks rust but leaves chrome untouched, a very mild and safe acid as it the same acid that gives rhubarb its sour taste. Also good for removing the grey discoloured surface on weathered untreated wood as prep for staining.
    Click to expand...
    Phosphoric acid is commonly used for rust removal in metal finishing shops. It is a weak acid and will not touch chrome, but it loves rust, and your fingers will be safe. It is also known as 'food acid'. Hydrochloric acid will attack chrome, but sulphuric or nitric - not so much. DO NOT USE BATTERY ACID - sulphuric acid is dangerous. It is the strongest mineral acid - the combination of sulphuric and nitric is used to make explosives. the sulphuric dehydrates and the nitric adds the stuff to make the bang. Sulphuric acid is the only chemical I have in my shed, other than fuel and brake fluid and oil. It is a bastard. I hate filling batteries, I always get a spot of it somewhere.
    I think oxalic acid is poisonous.
     
    Last edited:
    Phosphoric acid is also sold as milkstone remover for farming dairy industry cleaning

    I can assure you that your fingers will tingle if exposed to “ phos “ as I often use it to clean rust etc from metal and have had the smooth fingers to prove it

    Lol !!
     
    Grandad said:
    I’m posting this after seeing a recent post about cleaning rust from chrome by using abrasive paper circa 3000 grit with WD40

    Seems kind of an aggressive method to me so I’d thought I’d share another solution

    I dare say it will be known to many but just in case it is new to someone it is worth sharing

    I came across this method as a kid who was cleaning up an old and scabby bicycle - my first ever grown up sized cycle so close on 50 yrs ago, grandads do come in handy for lots of things

    Here goes - take a handful of “ tinfoil “ or “ aluminum foil “ dip it in water and rub on the rusty chrome .. bye bye rust !

    ….. and that is simply that, done job !

    Remarkably effective !

    Obviously heavy putting cannot be remedied but other than this the method is really effective
    Click to expand...
    so no need for the coke then? i have never tried it but will do with the water 👍
     
    kommando said:
    Oxalic acid attacks rust but leaves chrome untouched, a very mild and safe acid as it the same acid that gives rhubarb its sour taste. Also good for removing the grey discoloured surface on weathered untreated wood as prep for staining.
    Click to expand...
    also used for altering colour of fine woods ( treating old stains on wood) before refinishing.
     


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