Cleaning chrome rust

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
 
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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.

 
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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
 
Pledge is also good for keeping your glasses clear when riding in the rain.
 
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.
 
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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 👍
 
Well worth trying tinfoil

If anyone is nervous about it then find an old bicycle with rusty wheels and seat post and have a go at that first
 
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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