Hey Guys,

Looking to try and restore my bumpers without having them re-chromed or replaced. Overall, the rust is surface rust rather than bubbling from underneath. Is there a compound that has worked for anyone?

I've attached a couple pics of the front and rear to show what shape the bumpers are. The rest of the car is another story, that's a work in progress as it needs body work and paint down the road.

 

Any old chrome polish will do about the same job at this point. You're going to be left with a lot of pitting that will require plenty of wax to maintain afterward. You're looking at a lot of hours to get that out. It's just going to be rough and pitted so you know.
Just go to your local auto parts store and get the cheap brand for now. No need to get crazy at this point. You're going to be tearing up some rags too so have plenty of those. I'd wear gloves also because that is going to have some sharp edges.

 

Is that a 1970 supreme?

 

Yep. She's in slightly sad shape as she was neglected after a family member passed away until I got a chance to snag her.

 

You could also buy one of the Mother's Power ***** (no pun intended). They are a foam applicator for chrome and aluminum polish that you can chuck into your power drill. Essentially, they allow you to apply the polish faster and to work it into the chrome deeper than applying it by hand. I have one and it works pretty well.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mot-05140

 

SOS pad and water..the front of the front bumper will clean up nice the top eh not so much...the rear bumper looks like it will clean up good too...SOS works really nice to clean up surface rust on chrome....once its pitted tho its pitted

after the surface rust is off then chrome or metal polish will really give it as much shine as possible

i attached a shot of my rear bumper that I cleaned up w SOS and simi chrome (motorcycle polish)

 

Try oven cleaner. I have used it and it worked for me. try it on the back side first and see what you think.

 

SOS and a lot of elbow grease, then follow with a very fine steel wool, and soap and water. Then a good chrome polish and buff. Again if it's pitted it's only going to remove the rust.

 

"RetroRanger" i like your rear bumper because this design is looking very nice. but only one photo, can you please share more photos... I think its good idea to make them chrome, because the shiny chrome is much attractive. Thanks for sharing the photo.

 

I would give the oven cleaner trick a shot if you had any around the house.
I got a tip from someone here to use that for crankcase cleaning etc and when I did it I saw how it cleaned up the spark plugs. I was surprised to see the original plating on the plug metal. They looked like new.