rust on chrome
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Maryland
rust on chrome
Long story short I lost my house last year and stuck my bike in a storage unit last minute. When I pulled it out a couple of weeks ago I notices spots of rust all over the Chrome after market front panel behind the headlight and I was pissed! Had the bile 5 years and this was my first problems with rust. Is there anyway to get rid of it ? Thanks.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 14
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rust on chrome
Hi--since chrome is just plated you have to be very careful when trying to get rid of scratches and foreign material on chrome. The safest thing to try FIRST is a good claybar with some clay lubricant. Spray the lube on the chrome and very gently rub in back and forth and up and down movements, not in circles. Check your bar often to make sure there are no pieces of debris stuck, if so pick them out with needle nose pliers and then rework your bar. Dry with a microfiber towel, check your work and if the rust is gone polish lightly with a good chrome polish. Most bike quys use polish to often--remember chrome is plated and polish is an abrassive--cleaning the chrome is usually all that is needed--you can also wax chrome that does not get hot--pipes and other heated chrome will only melt a good wax--I am a detailer and have done many bikes--patience is your best friend
Dave
Dave
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Ontario, New York
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Louisiana
I'm a big fan of the clay bar but don't think that is the best method. Go to Auto Zone and pick up a can of Never Dull. It's a cotton wadding impregnated with solvent. If that won't take it off without scratching it the chrome is likely pitted. It's great for surface rust and corrosion on chrome and aluminum just like a clay bars is good for over spray and contaminants on paint.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 262
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If the mentioned doesn't work, you can try ultra fine steel wool and depending on if the rust is in a small section (in corners, around bolt heads, etc) you could take clear nail polish or something similar after removing the rust to prevent it from returning. I had to do this on a metric I used to have. I bought some chrome parts from brazil for it and the chroming was terrible on most of it.
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