Hey guys!
Is there any type of protectant for chrome thats safe to use on the mufflers and heat shields? I know wax is a bad idea because it can discolor and just can't take that kind of heat.
I just put new heat shields on the bike and just want to seal out the elements. The road dept. uses a lot of salt in the winter around here and it really isn't gone till the first half of summer is over. Seriously, here in Jersey I'm still finding roads that are white with salt!

i've been using wax on my pipes for about 8 thousand miles now. no discoloration.

I use mcguires tech wax and I have the vance and hines slip ons. No discoloration whatsoever.

you could use chrome polish though, if you are concerned.

I've always used wax. You should have no problem with it discoloring since you run heatshields down to the mufflers/slip ons. I use the chrome polish and then coat'em with wax.

Lemon Pledge. Yea, the furniture polish stuff.

Are you putting the wax/polish on the front heat shields as well? Seems they would get seriously hot.

I have been putting wax on every metal part on my bike including the heat shields. I haven't had any discoloration.

ORIGINAL: cHarley

Lemon Pledge. Yea, the furniture polish stuff.



What all other tricks you got in that noggin of yours?:D

ORIGINAL: Demonsmasher

ORIGINAL: cHarley

Lemon Pledge. Yea, the furniture polish stuff.



What all other tricks you got in that noggin of yours?:D



As well as using it on my chrome & painted tins, it works great for cleaning & protecting the windshield as well. It keeps the bugs from sticking as bad. :D

Oh yea, and it's alot cheaper that those botique cleaner/polish products too.

lemon pledge on chrome? i would of never even thought:D

ORIGINAL: cHarley

Lemon Pledge. Yea, the furniture polish stuff.

Yep, I use the Pledge to spot clean/dust the scoot after rides.....Actually, just washed the bike Sunday night and debated on whether to wax or Pledge it.....Waxed it since it was the first wash of the year.;)

ORIGINAL: cHarley

ORIGINAL: Demonsmasher

ORIGINAL: cHarley

Lemon Pledge. Yea, the furniture polish stuff.



What all other tricks you got in that noggin of yours?:D



As well as using it on my chrome & painted tins, it works great for cleaning & protecting the windshield as well. It keeps the bugs from sticking as bad. :D

Oh yea, and it's alot cheaper that those botique cleaner/polish products too.



Also great on your seat and or saddle bags. Makes them look brand new while I would think that it would give them some protection from the rain.

wax... unless you are storing the bike then WD 40 will work

+1 for waxing

I wax everything. Also a good idea to wax it before you install it. A guy taught me that when I did my pipes. Put three coats of wax on the heatshields before I installed them.

Gonna try that pledge trick for cleaning good stuff there. I used to pledge the barracks floor on inspection days makes it shine like glass. Throw the old tshirt over the broom and pledge the crap out of it. Looks like a bowling alley afterwards.

There is no need to protect good chrome. Of course, Harleys don't have good chrome on them anymore. That is why threads like this pop up. Good chrome is supposed to protect the metal from rusting. It isn't supposed to be a finish that you have to baby. Waxing or polishing chrome is a waste of time. It won't be any more protected or shine any more than it already does. All you need to do to chrome is keep it clean.

Now, since the chrome on our HD's doen't do a good job protecting the metal, you gotta put WD-40 or something on them if they are gonna be stored in a damp place, sit in the rain even overnight, or spend time near the ocean. I just got back from Myrtle and spend yesterday afternoon getting the rust that had started after only a week out of the nooks and crannies.

i totally disagree.

the chrome on my bike is pretty much flawless. I think they do a fantastic job.

Rob

ORIGINAL: rob i

i totally disagree.

the chrome on my bike is pretty much flawless. I think they do a fantastic job.

Rob


I go to a sale once a year at my dealer where they sell off flawed chrome that has been returned and replaced under warranty. They usually have a truck load of stuff that they sell for pennies on the dollar. They always mark the flaw with a sharpie pen. Pits and peels are common.

As far as the shoddy part goes, I was referring to the chrome's protecting capabilities. It simply doesn't keep rust from coming thru on steel parts like it should. Of course alot of that is to be blamed on the EPA. Chrome should protect the metal. Remember cars from the 50's, 60's and 70's? They had chrome that sat out in the weather and road salt for decades beforeit rusted.

ORIGINAL: xxxflhrci

There is no need to protect good chrome.
Waxing or polishing chrome is a waste of time.

I just got back from Myrtle and spend yesterday afternoon getting the rust that had started after only a week out of the nooks and crannies.

Well, I work at a large chemical plant & the bike sits there for 8hrs a day in the lot.....$hit rusts around here because of the chemicals.....[:@] So I have to polish & wax my stuff.

Clear VHT paint, I've only used it on brand new pipes that have been thoroughly cleaned and degreased. You can't tell it's there and the pipes will only rust eventually from the inside out.
Here in E. Tx. the humidity and heat are the big chrome killers.

S100 Corrosion protection spray. Works on everything and doesn't discolor the pipes. Little bit of elbow grease to wipe off but shines up nice after, or if you are storing, spray on and leave it till after the winter season. You can find it at most harley shops.

xxxflhrci--

perhaps the reason i've had luck with my chrome is because I wax the heck out of it.

come to think of it, my buddy's 883custom (same year as mine) has some rust on the chrome spokes and in a few other places. He lives by the gulf in florida and the salt water can do a numberon bikes.

I guess I was just comparing the look of the harley chrome to bikes like honda shadows and the harley chrome seems much better.

Rob