ClassicOldsmobile.com - View Single Post - Restoring interior shiny parts (with pictures)

markowyo · 10-29-2007, 06:21 PM

The plastic pieces were originally chromed (a thin layer of chrome electronically deposited). You can have them rechromed, or you can buy new. If you try to elbow grease them, you will only wear off more chrome. You could try a chrome paint (after cleaning well with a wax/oil remover and using Bulldog as a preparation layer), but it won't look as good as chrome. Sorry.

As for the metal, it too was chromed. Humidity has caused metal ions underneath the chrome to migrate toward the surface (the rusting process), and these are actually pushing up and through the chrome layer, and is called "pitting". Polishing (e.g. OOO steel wool) will only wear off the up-pushed chrome. You can try polishing carefully and get some shine, but be careful.

Cars in the drier climates (e.g AZ, CA, NM, CO, WY, MT, SD) don't have this pitting problem due to humidity. So junk yarding out here will yield you parts that shine like the day they were made.

Hope that helps.

10-29-2007, 06:21 PM	#18 (permalink)
markowyo Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: northern Wyoming Posts: 24	shiny The plastic pieces were originally chromed (a thin layer of chrome electronically deposited). You can have them rechromed, or you can buy new. If you try to elbow grease them, you will only wear off more chrome. You could try a chrome paint (after cleaning well with a wax/oil remover and using Bulldog as a preparation layer), but it won't look as good as chrome. Sorry. As for the metal, it too was chromed. Humidity has caused metal ions underneath the chrome to migrate toward the surface (the rusting process), and these are actually pushing up and through the chrome layer, and is called "pitting". Polishing (e.g. OOO steel wool) will only wear off the up-pushed chrome. You can try polishing carefully and get some shine, but be careful. Cars in the drier climates (e.g AZ, CA, NM, CO, WY, MT, SD) don't have this pitting problem due to humidity. So junk yarding out here will yield you parts that shine like the day they were made. Hope that helps.