Best way to remove rust on chrome?

[hikermikem]

Several chrone components on my bike show minor-moderate rust. What's the best way to remove that rust without ruining the chrome? Once the rust is gone, I plan on polishing with Mother's chrome polish to protect it and shine it.

mike

[Nessism]

Evapo-Rust is good stuff. About $20 a gallon (Harbor Freight carries it).
It does a great job on parts that have a rough surface texture such as shock springs and the chrome plated cast footpegs Suzuki used on many models.

If the chrome is pitted there isn't anything that will bring it back to new condition- you can remove the rust, but it will leave a raw area that will rust again fairly quickly since the rust has compromised the plating layer.

After you derust the part you need to protect it with some sort of coating - wax at minimum. Chrome polish typically doesn't have any protectant in it so keep this in mind. Furniture wax works pretty well but you need to keep on top of it or the rust will come back.

Good luck.

[hikermikem]

thanks, my chrome headlamp ears are the most rusted, i'll look for the evapo-rust (there's a HF next town over). Does that stuff damage the existing plating?

what do you use to seal the chrome after the E-R process?

[Nessism]

Evapo-Rust won’t hurt the chrome, that’s why I recommend it. It doesn’t work fast; you need to let it soak for a while. A paper towel or rag is useful to keep the surface wet if you can’t submerge the part. The stuff is like carb dip in that it can be reused so squeeze out the paper towel when finished to collect the solution.

For protection I just used spray wax – don’t expect it to last forever though.

[mcloud]

I use 0000 steel wool on light rust. Dust produced is nasty if gets in the engine, so make sure you're away from any openings on the bike.
Then I wax with NuChrome or similar products specifically for chrome parts.
If pitting is extended, then use E-R like Nessism mentionned.

[hikermikem]

Thnks for the info guys...

[aruyle79]

okay, i got a question about cleaning up chrome. if no rust is visible, but chrome has fades, and shows chrome chipped, how do i get it back to a nice polish?

[Nessism]

okay, i got a question about cleaning up chrome. if no rust is visible, but chrome has fades, and shows chrome chipped, how do i get it back to a nice polish?

Using a coarse abrasive pad will dull the chrome like you describe, unfortunately I don't think there is anything you can do to bring it back short of replating.

[aruyle79]

okay, anyone have an idea as to what new plating costs? or a place in new jersey that does it, lol.

[dardoonk]

Evapo-Rust

+1 on the Evapo-Rust .... tried it a few weeks ago on a bunch of old bolts and they came out looking like new

[seuadr]

another cleaning option seems to be baking soda and barkeeps friend mixed 50/50 although i imagine either one by itself would work good.

[80GS750]

i just use a soft wire wheel on all my chrome...

works great and fast too!!!!!

just gotta go easy as too much force or too stiff of a wire wheel will dig into the metal....