I used to believe washing chrome was all U had too do too keep it looking good. Heard that polishing chrome and pipes was a waste of time...no real benefit to doing it. But the last fews times I cleaned bike I used this chrome polish from eagle 1. To me the chrome just brightens up and looks better. Also should help too protect from moisture during the Semi-storage the bike goes into during the winter months. What are ya'lls opinion on taking care of chrome? Waste of time or useful?

 

Polishing clean chrome is a waste of time, IMO. It's not like brass, aluminum or stainless. It doesn't get any shinier by rubbing on it. However, if it makes you feel good do it.

 

Polishing chrome will put a protective coat on it just like anything else you polish.
IMO, it's well worth the time.

 

Good chrome shouldn't need protecting. The whole point of chrome is to be a hard, durable finish to protect metal. Think about....Detroit turned out cars for years that sat out in the weather, the chrome work usually took decades to rust. We leave out Harleys out in the rain overnight, and the chromed steel rusts. Blame it on the EPA and poor chrome work in general.

I often see people talk about waxing chrome. Waste of time, unless you are melting the wax and encasing the piece in it. Wax won't stop rust. Don't believe me? Take a piece of chromed steel, wax half, leave half unwaxed and lay it out in the weather. If you want to speed up the process, spray a little salt water on the piece. You will see both sides rust equally.

 

I have used turtle wax chrome polish for years and I think it gives you a better luster. Chrome is actually porous on a micro level, waxing fills in the pores which will help protect it a little. On the down side, chrome polish is slightly abrasive (especially semi-chrome and nev-r-dull) and over years of using it all the time, it will eventually wear though the chrome layer leaving a yellow looking spot (nickle). I usually use the chrome polish 2 to 3 times a year and just wipe it down with windex after a wash to remove the water spots. The chemical makeup of the hexivalent chrome is the same as it was 40 or 50 years ago, the difference is most likely cost cutting by less time spent in the copper, nickle and chrome baths that yeild a less durable plate than the good old days. Some skip the copper all together and use two different kinds of nickle baths. Trivalent chrome is a different chemical makeup alltogether, but the end result is slightly "whiter" color than the more "blue" color of hexivalent, but it is more epa friendly. I believe HD used hexivalent, especially the add ons that come from china with virtually no epa laws. I chrome plate as a hobby, but I am far from being an expert, but everyone on the hobby plating forum I go on agree that chrome plate needs some form of wax protectant. Marine grade wax will give the most protection.

 

never thought about the marine gradewax. thnaks ...98

 

Marine grade wax, I guess obtained from your local marina or boat shop??

 

yep that's the stuff

 

I use Mothers products as well as Meguirs(?) and feel they are a good products...however half the price good ol Turtle product ...the chrome polish seems best. John

 

IMO chrome polish does take off unwanted particulars that make their way on to your bike. IE overspray,fallout, road grime, hard water spots. Chrome polish, will take these particulars off and keep those $700 dollar pipes looking $700 dollars. My 94 chrome rims look like I bought them in 2008,becuase I took the tediuos time of applying CHROME polish. I live near the ocean, in fact right in the middle. After all the coin I have spent to dress up the bike a little, I can see spending some time to take care of it.