Cleaning chrome with aluminum foil

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Mmmm, so tried the al-foil polishing trick, on chrome and stainless and al alloy.
Very rapidly get black fingers and a black residue around, so seems the foil is breaking down into a very fine abrasive. Noticable areas of polish, so it works as described. Thanks for that.

For alloy and stainless though, something a bit more abrasive would be quicker, unless its a very fine light polish you are after.

Think I'd use it very cautiously on your best chromed pieces though - as they say in the carpet cleaner disclaimer, try in an inconspicuous area FIRST.
And, as always with chrome, always dry off and oil or wax protect it after...
 
Rohan said:
Mmmm, so tried the al-foil polishing trick, on chrome and stainless and al alloy.
Very rapidly get black fingers and a black residue around, so seems the foil is breaking down into a very fine abrasive. Noticable areas of polish, so it works as described. Thanks for that.

For alloy and stainless though, something a bit more abrasive would be quicker, unless its a very fine light polish you are after.

Think I'd use it very cautiously on your best chromed pieces though - as they say in the carpet cleaner disclaimer, try in an inconspicuous area FIRST.
And, as always with chrome, always dry off and oil or wax protect it after...
Click to expand...

yeah best used on something your not too worried about, or that would need rechromed. Yes the fingers get black quick, i do use gloves cause it doesn't seem to wash off that easy
 
I remember a buddy using this trick on his spokes years ago, But I can say that i have seen it since. I need to give this a try sometime. Thanks for reminding me of this.
 
I've been using this method for years. very good results on the sort of surface rust you get on the chrome when the bikes been laid up in the garage. FYI, the guy that told me about the way to do it(he renovates old pushbikes) advised using lemon juice which is slightly acidic. This has other advantages in that you can just slice a lemon in half and rub it on the chrome then rub with the foil, and it doesn't smell as bad as the black goo that water and foil creates! :) I've also tried using cola too, but its more messy imo.
 
Powereng told me about some polishing compound for aluminum sold by Canadian Spruce, an aircraft restoration company. It worked well on aluminum, but was amazing on chrome and stainless. I just smear some it on then work it with a soft wheel on a portable electric polisher.
So far the best result was removal of heat discolouration on a muffler. I have used autosol for this, it takes forevervand scratches the chrome to a dull grey finish. The al. Polishing cream worked quite quickly and left a mirror finish.
I've pretty much stopped using all the various buffing compounds, chrome polish, stainless polish and other brand al polishes.
Just the one big can of pink gunk and a handheld polisher.

Glen
 
Simichrome? That's what we used for everything on the airplanes, paint, aluminum etc... It's expensive but works.
 
Don't think so. I recall that this is a product developed by Canadian Spruce for restoration of a DC 3. You can imagine the job of polishing that much aluminum!
I find the link and post it.

Glen
 
This stuff works!
I use it on everything, Aluminum, Chrome, Stainless, ect.....
Cleaning chrome with aluminum foil
 
worntorn said:
Don't think so. I recall that this is a product developed by Canadian Spruce for restoration of a DC 3. You can imagine the job of polishing that much aluminum!
I find the link and post it.

Glen
Click to expand...

Nuvite Nushine?
 
Here it is:

http://www.aircraftspruce.ca/catalog/cs ... kkey=10066
Gonna order some and srock up right now. Effective products have a way of disappearing from the marketplace sometimes.

Was amazed at how it removed the exhaust blueing. I've done this before using specialty items such as Bluejob (harley crowd recommendation) and autosol. With those products the result was poor and took forever.


Glen
 
Met-all is great stuff too. I had a can for a while, it grew legs. Need to get more.
It ain't going away, been around forever.
 
worntorn said:
Here it is:

http://www.aircraftspruce.ca/catalog/cs ... kkey=10066
Gonna order some and srock up right now. Effective products have a way of disappearing from the marketplace sometimes.

Was amazed at how it removed the exhaust blueing. I've done this before using specialty items such as Bluejob (harley crowd recommendation) and autosol. With those products the result was poor and took forever.


Glen
Click to expand...
any before and after shots on it's effectiveness on your exhaust?
 
As TV commercials have educated us, best cleaners and kitchen applicances are always sold by dudes with a Brit accent.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ijvg8abpVzA[/video]
 
hobot said:
As TV commercials have educated us, best cleaners and kitchen applicances are always sold by dudes with a Brit accent.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ijvg8abpVzA[/video]
Click to expand...
but where would one find al-oo-minium foil in the states? we only have aluminum!
 
hobot said:
As TV commercials have educated us, best cleaners and kitchen applicances are always sold by dudes with a Brit accent.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ijvg8abpVzA[/video]
Click to expand...

That's an Australian accent. :roll:
 
Ace Hardware sells brass wool. Similar to steel wool but will not scratch. Get it in a fine grade and use some WD 40. Works a treat.
 
worntorn said:
Here it is:

http://www.aircraftspruce.ca/catalog/cs ... kkey=10066
Gonna order some and srock up right now. Effective products have a way of disappearing from the marketplace sometimes.

Was amazed at how it removed the exhaust blueing. I've done this before using specialty items such as Bluejob (harley crowd recommendation) and autosol. With those products the result was poor and took forever.Glen
Click to expand...

Glenn...I went to the website above and tried to oder some, but the order form won't let you pick USA for the billing / shipping address. Maybe have to call them?
 
cmessenk said:
worntorn said:
Here it is:

http://www.aircraftspruce.ca/catalog/cs ... kkey=10066
Gonna order some and srock up right now. Effective products have a way of disappearing from the marketplace sometimes.

Was amazed at how it removed the exhaust blueing. I've done this before using specialty items such as Bluejob (harley crowd recommendation) and autosol. With those products the result was poor and took forever.Glen
Click to expand...

Glenn...I went to the website above and tried to oder some, but the order form won't let you pick USA for the billing / shipping address. Maybe have to call them?
Click to expand...


Go here:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/
 
850cmndo said:
cmessenk said:
worntorn said:
Here it is:

http://www.aircraftspruce.ca/catalog/cs ... kkey=10066
Gonna order some and srock up right now. Effective products have a way of disappearing from the marketplace sometimes.

Was amazed at how it removed the exhaust blueing. I've done this before using specialty items such as Bluejob (harley crowd recommendation) and autosol. With those products the result was poor and took forever.Glen
Click to expand...

Glenn...I went to the website above and tried to oder some, but the order form won't let you pick USA for the billing / shipping address. Maybe have to call them?
Click to expand...


Go here:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/
Click to expand...

Thanks....that link worked.
 
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