Boats For Sale:
Cleaning Chrome |
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The Lake 
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Joined: May-13-2005 Location: Lk Winnebago MO Status: Offline Points: 1157 |
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 Topic: Cleaning ChromePosted: May-23-2005 at 12:32am |
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Our '68 Natique apparently has all the original chrome, some of it however has "pitting" or slightly raised pin point bumps. What can best be used to clean these pieces?
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David F
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Joined: June-11-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1770 |
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Posted: May-23-2005 at 1:17pm |
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Nothing will satisfactorily get rid of the pits or bumps that I have ever seen or discovered. The problem is that the metal under the chrome has started to oxidize. The only real solution is to take the pieces and have them replated.
Neverdull is an excellent cleaner/polish for metals in otherwise good condition. |
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jameski
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Joined: May-18-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 368 |
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Posted: May-23-2005 at 4:52pm |
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Steel wool and WD-40 works well for putting a good shine on old slightly-pitted chrome (do not use SOS pads or any abrasive cleanser).
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80nauts
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Joined: March-19-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 93 |
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Posted: June-04-2005 at 8:52am |
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I have seen never-dull get rid of pits
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backcrkr
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Joined: April-20-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 23 |
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Posted: June-14-2005 at 2:20pm |
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use steel wool it took my rims from solid rust to clean chrome. somthing fine like number 00 steel wool might work.
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dwcar
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Joined: February-11-2007 Location: Houston Texas Status: Offline Points: 1103 |
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Posted: January-17-2009 at 2:28am |
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I found something on the internet that works great.
Use vinegar and aluminum foil. The aluminum is softer than the chrome so it does not scratch the chrome and the vinegar cuts thru the grime built up on the chrome. Tear off enough foil to wrap around your finger and pour some vinegar in a dish for dipping and then rub away. I did my hinges on my 83 and they look pretty good. Next, i will do a little buffing. |
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83Ski
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8122pbrainard
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Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Posted: January-17-2009 at 11:26am |
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Chuck,
David is correct that the chrome is gone and the base metal is rusting. Anything short of re plating or painting will be temporary. I certainly wouldn't use vinegar - I've been in too many pickle plants to know what it does to steel. (even 304 stainless!) Hopefully the internet idea includes a baking soda rinse! |
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Riley
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Joined: January-19-2004 Location: Portland, ME Status: Offline Points: 7953 |
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Posted: January-17-2009 at 11:31am |
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Where's a good place to go for rechroming, the local HD dealer?
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8122pbrainard
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Posted: January-17-2009 at 11:55am |
Bruce, A new set of wheels will be cheaper than a re chrome! A custom chrome shop will want to do nothing short of a best quality job which will be: strip to bare, rough buff, copper plate, buff again, check for pits which may need more copper and buffing to cover, nickel plate, buff and then chrome. Of course, the new set of wheels will have the same cheap one coat of chrome on it like the original set! Take a look in the phone book or do a search for chrome platers to find someone close to you. |
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eric lavine
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Joined: August-13-2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13413 |
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Posted: January-17-2009 at 12:06pm |
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and question them thouroughly, it aint cheap and i understand why, with chroming you pay for what you get
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"the things you own will start to own you"
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dwcar
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Joined: February-11-2007 Location: Houston Texas Status: Offline Points: 1103 |
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Posted: January-17-2009 at 12:18pm |
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I only did the hinges. (motor box and seats) I believe they are brass with chrome plating.
What I suggested was only for a good cleaning. I agree it will not work if pitted. I will try the baking soda rinse. |
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83Ski
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Riley
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Joined: January-19-2004 Location: Portland, ME Status: Offline Points: 7953 |
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Posted: January-17-2009 at 12:26pm |
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The PO of the Classic had most of the hardware rechromed. It's beautiful. It doesn't look like Correct Craft hardware, it looks like old Chris craft hardware. The problem is, I need apair of front chocks, and even if I found NOS chocks they wouldn't match. My steps plates weren't done, so I'm considering having them and the chocks, (when I get them), replated.
My Mustang has some of the most pitted hardware I've ever seen. Unless I find some better used stuff, I'm going to leave it. |
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81nautique
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Joined: September-03-2005 Location: Big Rock, Il Status: Offline Points: 5778 |
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Posted: January-17-2009 at 12:43pm |
Bruce, I used these guys for some parts on my 81 Supefineshine, excelent work but make sure you're sitting down when they give you the cost. |
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You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails
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C-Bass
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Joined: November-18-2008 Location: Columbus, IN Status: Offline Points: 1248 |
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Posted: January-17-2009 at 5:11pm |
This is 100% true. I do not doubt that there are some concocsions or products that will make the wheels look better and make it seems as if the pits are removed, but the chrome is gone, and the pits will come back shortly. |
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Riley wrote: