A distinctive feature of cars of past years is the use of chrome parts in the exterior and interior trim. Chrome plating is the coating of the surface of steel parts with chromium. The chromium layer protects the metal from corrosion and improves the appearance of the metal surface, giving the car an original look. But over time, under the influence of an aggressive external environment, the glossy surface of chrome parts becomes cloudy, spots and scratches appear on it. This reduces the attractiveness of the exterior or interior of your car. To restore the original look and not damage the thin layer of chrome, you need to know how to properly clean the chrome parts of the car. By following the instructions below, you can clean the chrome surface from plaque and restore its original shine.
You will need:
- clean rag
- Cleaning products (one of your choice):
- Chrome Surface Cleaner
- Baking soda
- Glass cleaner
- Dishwashing liquid
- Medical alcohol
- Vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Manicure brush
- Lemon skin
- Metal polishing cloth
- Car wipes
- Carnauba or car wax
- Brush with short bristles
Cleaning chrome car parts
- If possible, rinse the metal under running water to remove any dirt from the surface. If this is not possible, wipe the chrome part with a damp cloth.
- Choose a cleaner from the list above. Soak a rag or nail brush in it and clean the chrome parts. Baking soda works well for removing stains and streaks from chrome surfaces.
- Thoroughly rinse the remaining cleaning agent from the metal.
- If the chrome surface is dull, wipe it with lemon peel or a metal polishing cloth. Rinse the treated part with water.
- Buff the chrome piece to a shine with a dry cloth or car wipe.
- Cover the metal with a thin coat of carnauba or automotive wax to help keep the chrome looking longer. Try not to get the wax into the joints, as it will then be difficult to remove it from there and dirt may accumulate under it over time.
- If, however, the wax gets into the joints and seams, then immediately remove it. A car brush with short bristles or a large paint brush with short bristles (or wrapped with duct tape at the base) works well for this purpose.
- Always use the minimum amount of abrasive and a more gentle chrome cleaner. Try stronger cleaners if necessary.
- You can polish the chrome surface. Use only the amount of cleaner needed to clean chrome parts.
- Chrome parts should only be sanded if necessary to remove stains.
- Rubbing chrome with baby oil will remove some types of stains.
- Never use chlorine bleach or strong acid to clean chrome parts as this will damage the protective chrome layer and leave small holes in the metal surface.
- If you need to store some chrome product for a long time, lubricate it with petroleum jelly - this will protect it from corrosion during storage.
Chrome-plated body elements allow you to betray a special elegance and style to the car. Every car manufacturer uses such elements in car styling. However, beauty requires sacrifice. This is due to the fact that the chrome coating is subject to corrosion, but with the right approach to cleaning chrome elements, you can maintain a perfect look. Therefore, it is necessary to follow the recommendations for cleaning and restoring the chrome coating.
Polishing chrome parts: general rules
Firstly, if you have a new car, then you should clean the chrome coating in a timely manner. This will help you keep the shine of the chrome elements for a long time.
To clean and restore the chrome finish, you will need a special tool that is sold at an auto shop or home remedies, which are listed below. As a rule, a store-bought product is called a chromium restorer or a car shampoo with a coating restorer. There may be other names, so check with the seller for information. Also get a rough and soft sponge for washing. For final polishing, you can use a microfiber or woolen cloth with a large pile.
Stock up on sponges, cleaning agent and go. The process is quite lengthy. For example, one chrome rear bumper molding will require about 80 grams of cleaner and 2 sponges.
After you have made a rough cleaning of the chrome coating, you can start polishing the part. The polished part must be absolutely dry. For the highest quality effect, it is recommended to use a hair dryer, microfiber or woolen fabric with a large pile. When polishing, you can use a special polish for chrome. It will help to avoid plaque on the coating and create a protective layer. Polishing is done in a circular motion, covering the entire surface. After polishing, leave the car for 30-40 minutes, and then go over the polished part with microfiber again to remove excess polishing agent.
To maintain the ideal condition of chrome elements, it is necessary to carry out these operations 2-3 times a year. The effect that will be achieved will meet all your expectations.
How to remove rust from chrome car parts
In this case, it all depends on the size and depth of the corrosion pockets on the chrome-plated part. If the centers of corrosion look like small rusty dots or scratches, this is half the battle, but if the center of corrosion has already grown sufficiently and has an impressive depth or the chrome has swelled in general, then it is practically impossible to save the coating or it will not work at all.
1. Corrosion in the form of points and scratches.
If the chrome part has corrosion damage in the form of rusty dots with a shallow depth or scratches, then simple means are suitable for cleaning the surface and removing this rust: these are polishes, and acetic or citric acid, and soda, etc. The ideal option after this would be to cover the cleaned part with a protective polish to prevent the growth of former foci of corrosion.
2. Corrosion in the form of severe foci or swelling.
If the chrome-plated part has significant corrosion damage, for this it will be necessary to first clean it with almost the finest sandpaper, and then proceed to the method described above in the first case. It is worth paying attention, if the chrome coating is completely swollen, then something can no longer be done. You can only resort to special services that deal with chrome parts. Or you can cover this part with a chrome film yourself. It certainly will not take much time, but still the effect will not be what we would like.
How to clean plaque on chrome car parts
Currently, there are quite a few products that can be used to clean and remove plaque from chrome parts of a car. And it is important to mention that for this there is no need to run to a car shop and spend money. And by the way, not every tool for cleaning chrome elements will always cope with this. To some extent, it will cope, but the cleaning process can take a long time. Therefore, further we list the funds that are probably in every home. And this:
- Baking soda;
- Medical alcohol;
- Citric acid (especially effective);
- Acetic acid;
- foil and water;
- Liquid for washing dishes or windows.
At least one of the above list is definitely in every home. Therefore, there is no need to spend money on cleaning products in the car shop.
An interesting video on cleaning a chrome part
This video shows, oddly enough, the cleaning of a chrome-plated surface occurs with the help of water and ordinary foil.
Ways to restore and clean chrome parts from plaque and rust was last modified: October 15th, 2018 by Administrator
Technologies are developing, the automotive industry is moving forward by leaps and bounds, but one detail is present on the equipment of any generation. Restoring chrome car parts is a problem so old that at first it seems surprising why it has not yet been invented for it. Like half a century ago, drivers face the same task.
Today, the driver is not at all necessary, a simple restoration can be carried out in the garage. Nevertheless, it is more logical to prevent the problem, so first we will consider how to care for the chrome surface.
Prevention
Scratches and dullness
Chrome parts give the car a special look. In the sun they shine, in cloudy weather they reflect like a mirror. It is the reflectivity of chromium that requires constant maintenance. It is not enough to treat the machine well, as such a surface is easily covered with small scratches and fades over time.
Contrary to popular belief, chrome rusts no worse than ordinary metal. Therefore, caring for chrome parts is extremely important. Pay attention to cars. It is advisable to use soapy warm water. Wipe clean with a soft cloth or soft sponge. From rough material, smooth metal begins to fade over time due to a network of microscopic scratches. Before cleaning the chrome bumper with a cloth, soak it in water.
Use low water pressure. Avoid temperature differences in both summer and winter. In warm weather, after washing, it is enough to put the car in the shade, and in winter it is better to use protective sprays with an oil base and not leave the garage if there is moisture on the chrome surface.
From time to time, you can wipe the part with kerosene and gently rinse it off with warm water. In no case should substances such as kerosene, gasoline or white spirit be left on the surface, and the ingress of soda or mineral oil should be avoided altogether. However, before polishing the part, you need to degrease it, and here kerosene is the best fit.
Rust
A little mechanical protection would not hurt a chrome bumper, because it is not in vain that manufacturers are increasingly using steel thrust bars that increase the strength and protection of bumpers. However, the main danger for chromium is corrosion. This is especially true on Russian roads, where the car cannot avoid meeting aggressive road chemicals.
Sometimes the situation allows the application of varnish over a chrome surface. It is not enough for a long time, and it does not look the best, but it copes with the task of protection.
It is best to protect the part in advance by covering it with a special composition. Salt water can stain even quality products. Repair of chrome parts in this case begins with the localization of the source of corrosion - the removal of the rusted area by mechanical means and treatment with oil varnish. If the chrome layer has not been touched, it is enough to polish the damage with WD-40.
At home, you can find something to polish chrome without going to the store. Soda is used, but it may be too hard. Inconspicuous traces are removed with a soft powder or chalk, crushed and applied to a flannel cloth.
Do-it-yourself polishing is possible, but not hands are better suited here, but special compositions for polishing chrome. You can buy them at any auto shop. If there is severe corrosion, you will have to use WD-40, although this is an extreme case. Depending on the severity of the damage, you will have to do some of the operations described below.
- Before cleaning, remove the part and transfer to a place protected from temperature extremes.
- When rust eats through the chrome finish, mechanical cleaning is required. Everything determines the depth of damage. In some cases, it is necessary to apply coarse grinding with a coarse-grained abrasive.
- If a significant area of metal is removed, care must be taken to protect it, apply a primer to welds, and so on. If cleaning is planned not for restoration, but for painting, then two types of soil will be required - acidic and basic.
- Chrome plating at home is not possible. About how to restore such a part, you will be told in a car service, and as an alternative, you can consider covering the part with a metallized film, painting the part and electroplating silver. For metachromization, you will need to carry out the reaction of reducing silver from an inorganic salt at home. This is quite possible, but silver wears out easily and is poorly suited as a coating for external parts.
- Use a cleaner to remove traces of grease and stains. Substances containing acids can be used, but the solution must be removed from the part immediately. Anhydrous ammonia and acids are not allowed in the polish.
- For shallow damage, either a polish or ordinary chalk (tooth powder) will be required. The polish can be replaced with GOI paste, diluted with a couple of drops of engine oil. Coarse-grained pasta - be careful! Folk remedy - foil moistened with Coca-Cola.
- For strong polishing, you can take felt. Otherwise, it is better to stop the choice on a soft cloth.
On the video - removing rust from a chrome bumper:
Paint over chrome
Chrome is an extremely hard metal, and careful surface treatment will be required before a chrome piece can be painted. It is necessary to bring it to a matte state - small scratches will improve the adhesion of the material. Then dust should be removed from the surface, degreased and successively applied several layers of soil:
- acidic soil, which provides rigid adhesion to the surface, since it eats into the metal by tenths of a micron;
- primary (main) primer to protect the part from corrosion and adhesion to paint;
- primer-filler - is necessary if you need to level the surface.
Phosphating primer is sold especially for metal surfaces. The substance is a mixture of acidic and basic primers. It can be used instead of oxidation and phosphating, the main goal is to protect the metal for a long time. Paint is applied to the last layer of soil after preliminary degreasing.
Conclusion
If the question is relevant to you, how to restore a chrome part, then probably the corrosion process has already gone too far. In order for the part not to lose its attractiveness over time, you need to handle it carefully. Attentiveness and caring attitude to chrome are the main ways to fight for its appearance.
A part that has not been protected in a timely manner is difficult to restore. However, you should not give up. A little patience, good theoretical preparation, and your bumper will shine like new.
In domestic conditions, we often encounter the appearance of rust on various kinds of metal objects. Chrome-plated items, such as sanitary ware in the bathroom, are also subject to this nuisance. Although there is an opinion that chrome coating is the most resistant to corrosion, this is far from being the case. Under certain circumstances, when several adverse factors affect chrome at once, products can become covered with red spots. In this article, we will tell you how to remove rust from a chrome surface and how to avoid this problem in the future.
Chrome plating is a special technology for applying the thinnest layer of chromium to metal products. Today, galvanized chromium plating is most often used. The process consists in the deposition of chromium using an electrolytic solution on a metal surface directly under the pressure of electrical charges.
The popularity of this operation is due to the fact that the chrome-plated part acquires improved technical and operational characteristics: strength, resistance to negative environmental factors. All this allows the use of metal not only for finishing, but also for decorative purposes.
Chrome-plated elements are widely used in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and plumbing are created, which can be seen in almost every bathroom.
The disadvantages of such surfaces undoubtedly include low resistance to mechanical stress - small scratches, holes and chips appear on the coating quite quickly. If the material is used for outdoor finishing work, then under the influence of oxygen (oxidation reaction) rust may also appear.
Causes of rusty plaque
The main cause of corrosion on the surface of chrome-plated products is excessive force and mechanical loads. They lead to the appearance of small scratches and cracking of the surface layer of the material. This happens as follows: the metal is covered with chromium, it oxidizes due to the negative influence of oxygen and other organic substances. Thus, rust appears.
It is also worth noting that metal household appliances are constantly tested on themselves by the aggressive effects of chemical reagents (soap suds, detergents, dust formations, mold). The feeling of cleanliness and comfort is lost - the coating becomes cloudy and loses its original natural luster.
Rust removers
Removal of rust from metal surfaces can be carried out both with the help of specialized chemical compounds, and with the use of folk remedies. It all depends on your personal preferences and financial capabilities.
Specialized formulations
A wide range of compounds are currently on the market for the effective elimination of corrosion and rust stains. When choosing, you should focus on the labeling indicating the possibility of using the product specifically for cleansing. One such product is WD-40.
To prevent the subsequent occurrence of this problem, it will not be superfluous to use protective polishing for chrome. Professionals clean metal products with Doctor Wax and Autosol metal polish products. Such polishing pastes help to reduce the degree of wear on nickel-plated and other metal surfaces.
To clean the chrome coating, you can also use multi-functional cleaners, for example, Mr. Muscle from plaque and rust.
On the video: a comparative test of polishes for chrome.
improvised means
If you want to save on this process, then improvised means will come to your aid. To combat corrosion, you can use:
- toothpaste and an unnecessary piece of soft tissue;
- metal sponge (in advanced cases);
- tin foil.
When removing rust from nickel-plated surfaces yourself, it is important to use the right material with which you will apply the cleaning agent. Experts recommend refusing to use sandpaper, as it can cause new scratches.
How to clean chrome using folk remedies?
Since ancient times, our ancestors have faced the problem of rust on metal objects. Therefore, today there are many folk methods that will help remove rust from chrome surfaces. Before cleaning household appliances from rust stains using specialized compounds, try using the products described below.
Application of vinegar
Vinegar is considered the most effective rust remover. Pour the solution into a plastic bag, then place the rusty parts in it for several hours. Small items can be completely immersed in the solution, while large items will have to be attached to the bag with an elastic band or clothespins. After two to three hours, the corrosion spots will disappear, the surface will only need to be dried and wiped with a clean cloth.
The term "Chrome-plated" refers to metal plated with a thin layer of chromium. It also means that when cleaning chrome surfaces, be very careful not to rub it off. By following the instructions below, you can protect your chrome products.
You will need:
- Water
- Rag
- Cleaner: (choose one)
- Chrome cleaner
- Baking soda
- Flour
- Glass cleaner
- Dishwashing liquid
- Alcohol
- table vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Nail brush
- lemon zest
- Metal polishing cloth
- Used anti-static cloth
- Paste with carnauba wax (available at the auto shop)
- Short hair brush
How to clean chrome surface:
- If possible, wash the dirt off the metal with water first. If this is not possible, wipe the chrome surface with a damp cloth.
- Choose a cleaner from the list above and use it with a damp cloth or nail brush to clean the chrome surface. Baking soda is especially good for cleaning stains from chrome surfaces.
- Rinse off the cleanser thoroughly.
- If dark spots appear on the chrome surface, rub them with lemon peel or a metal polishing cloth, then rinse the area thoroughly.
- Buff the chrome surface to a shine with a dry cloth.
- Coat the metal with a thin coat of carnauba wax to keep it lustrous longer. Try not to let the wax get into the joints, as it will collect dirt over time, and it will be quite difficult to remove it.
- If wax gets into the joint, remove it with a short-haired brush. If there is no such brush, you can use a regular paint brush, cutting off the excess pile or wrapping it with tape.
- Always use the least abrasive or mild cleaner first, and if that doesn't work, move on to stronger ones.
- It's easy to overdo it when cleaning chrome surfaces. Do not use excessive force when cleaning.
- Chrome polishing should only be used if necessary to remove stains.
- A small amount of baby oil can be used to remove stains from chrome surfaces.
- Never use chlorine bleach or strong acids to clean chrome surfaces as they will cause small holes in the chrome.
- If you need to store your chrome item for a long time, coat it with Vaseline to protect it from corrosion.
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