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Restoring chrome!

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Old October 22nd, 2015, 09:28 AM
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Restoring chrome!

What can I use to get my big chrome bumpers back like new?! And the trim around the windows and stuff. Just bored and wanna do little touch ups on my 85 Delta88.. Thanks!
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Old October 22nd, 2015, 09:42 AM
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Try WD40 and 4/0 steel wool. The WD40 helps remove oxidation and crud , the steel wool will knock off small rust bumps. Then wax with a paste wax..... Tedd
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Old October 22nd, 2015, 10:01 AM
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I use fine steel wool with dish soap and water, then wax.
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Old October 22nd, 2015, 10:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Tedd Thompson
Try WD40 and 4/0 steel wool. The WD40 helps remove oxidation and crud , the steel wool will knock off small rust bumps. Then wax with a paste wax..... Tedd
Any wax recommendation?
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Old October 22nd, 2015, 10:33 AM
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Originally Posted by oldcutlass
I use fine steel wool with dish soap and water, then wax.
What wax would you recommend?
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Old October 22nd, 2015, 12:33 PM
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Any Carnauba auto wax.
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Old October 22nd, 2015, 03:27 PM
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I use Mothers Paste Wax just because I have it, works for me....Tedd
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Old October 22nd, 2015, 04:47 PM
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X2 for Mother's
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Old October 23rd, 2015, 09:35 AM
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Be careful, by 1985 a lot of the "chrome" trim was not plated steel or diecast. Depending on the model and application some of the trim was polished or anodized aluminum or plated plastic, you do NOT want to use any type of steel wool or abrasive cleaner on these materials. You are probably OK with the bumpers but check with a magnet first. I learned this the hard way on a 77 Olds 98!
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Old October 23rd, 2015, 09:52 AM
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They say coca cola and AL foil ball works wonders
try an inconspicuous spot first.
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Old April 23rd, 2016, 06:01 AM
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I use a product called AutoSol, metal polish. If the bumpers are not to pitted it usually pulls the rust right out with just a rag. I've tried buffer wheels with this product but had better results with a rag. Leaves a nice coat that lasts. Draw back is you can only get it on line, but it keeps the cost down. Watched a demo at a Carlisle, PA car show about 25+ years ago and for a few bucks I took a shot. Surprisingly enough it wasn't snake oil. I've been using it ever since. Their Stainless Steel polish works great too, especially on kitchen appliances. I just tried their aluminum polish but I think I get better results out of the metal polish.
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Old April 23rd, 2016, 08:48 AM
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X2 for the Autosol. I also use an electric cutoff tool (HF) with a small thin buffing wheel and jeweller's rouge buffing compound. If you polish it on the car make sure you mask along side cause you are gauranteed to ruin you paint if you slip off.
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Old April 23rd, 2016, 09:20 AM
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For the trim pieces - Iverson Automotive out of Minnesota. Took all the dents out of my wheel well mouldings and polished them to a mirror.
You will have to check if they do bumpers
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Old July 14th, 2016, 04:59 PM
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Originally Posted by zeeke
I use a product called AutoSol, metal polish. If the bumpers are not to pitted it usually pulls the rust right out with just a rag. I've tried buffer wheels with this product but had better results with a rag. Leaves a nice coat that lasts. Draw back is you can only get it on line, but it keeps the cost down. Watched a demo at a Carlisle, PA car show about 25+ years ago and for a few bucks I took a shot. Surprisingly enough it wasn't snake oil. I've been using it ever since. Their Stainless Steel polish works great too, especially on kitchen appliances. I just tried their aluminum polish but I think I get better results out of the metal polish.
This thread goes back a while, but I bought a tube of Autosol based on the comments here, and just got a chance to try it this afternoon.

This stuff is very good.
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Old July 14th, 2016, 05:25 PM
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I bought a tube called "Semi Chrome metal polish" (from a Honda motorcycle dealer) that worked well on most any kind of metal. Larry
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Old July 14th, 2016, 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted by ignachuck
This thread goes back a while, but I bought a tube of Autosol based on the comments here, and just got a chance to try it this afternoon.

This stuff is very good.
Thanks for bumping this older thread with a good review that added to others Frank,
I use mothers on my chrome bumpers but just doesn't seem to last. The little scratches are visible in not time.
I will order some Autosol and give it a try.

Cheers
Eric
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Old July 14th, 2016, 06:08 PM
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I've Been using this for over 20 years and have found nothing better.

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