I’ve tried every material removal technique I can think of… sandblasting, sandpaper, wire wheels, 3M “Scotch” pads, small files and large files, etc. Even resorted to a Dremel with a sculpting bit… Any ideas as to how to remove these rust spots / last layer of chrome? More intense sandblasting?

Sprayed the bottom piece with some rattle can primer/sealer (left two ribs bottom piece in pic) and you can still see many pits. Two good coats of primer/sealer as a test.

Should I try to clean the rust as best as possible and spray with some high build primer? I can spray some HB Primer with a cheap HF spray gun, if it will work? Not sure how effective sanding HB Primer will be between the ridges and at the bottom and top of the ridges?





Ugh!!! Thank you.

 

Those are corrosion pits in the die cast pot metal. A carbide cutter is probably the only way to get them out.

 

The only way to get rid of all the chrome is to bring it to a plater, and have it reverse plated. I'm sure some chemists can come up with a DIY way, but it usually involved difficult to find chemicals, and toxic ones, at that!
Blast the pits and fill them with a two part glazing putty. Tedious work, but unless you copper plate and solder (if the part is going to be plated again), that's the best way.

 

Probably not to be much help but I had the same issue when refinishing a set of '72 hood louvers and ultimately elected just to seek out a nicer set. Ultimately found a replacement set on Ebay in much nicer shape and refinished those instead. Didn't take too long to find them for not a lot of $$, so maybe you'd have similar luck if going that route.

 

Thank you for the suggestions. I’ll check eBay and see if I can find a nicer set.

70sgeek, yours turned out really nice. Mine are going to end up being satin black to match the grill and the rims. After seeing yours, it makes me want to do them in chrome again.

 

Check the Parts for Sale listings. I'm pretty sure a gentleman out in CT, "ROS6872," has a good set.

 

Thank you BackInTheGame

 

try sandblasting with a smaller mesh, something like aluminum oxide or soda blast to get into those small pits.