Getting rid of rust on chrome - what have you used that works?

rze99

on a car this time, but need to get rid of rust on chrome. advice please.

strumjoughlamps

My mate uses aluminium foil on his motorbikes

octatonic

Aluminium foil works better than anything.

rze99

Doesn't foil micro scratch the chrome? It seems counter intuitive somehow.

steveledzep

Solvol Autosol.

Cols

Make a paste of bicarbonate of soda with water.  Spread this onto the rusted area with a damp cloth, and then scrub with crumpled up aluminium foil until the rust is gone.  Rinse and polish with a microfibre cloth.

EricTheWeary

I've used aluminium foil. What it can't get rid of is any pits caused by the rust. Been a while since I've done it but if you are using it like a polishing cloth it shouldn't scratch as it's softer than the chrome. Plenty of options for polishing chrome anyway but the foil will move surface rust. 

strtdv

The problem with chrome is that water vapour can penetrate it and corrode the steel underneath. Once pitted the only thing that will really remedy it is getting it replated by a specialist.
The EU is banning hexavalent chromium plating so might be worth getting it done while you still can if it's a classic car or similar

Deadman

steveledzep said:

Solvol Autosol.

Unbeatable stuff.

Adey

If you have rust on chrome isn't it because the chrome plating has been damaged and the steel below is rusting through the damaged area?

You might be able to remove it in the short term, but I thought re-plating is the only real solution.

Emp_Fab

Solvol Autosol is the best chrome cleaner on the planet.

RaymondLin

Autosol + 0000 wire wool = shine

Revolutions

I always try to keep my browser window inside the laptop during winter. 

Dominic

Anusol .......

BillDL

Dominic said:

Anusol .......

...... best restricted to use on the rear end, and in particular the exhaust pipe.

Humboldt

The aluminium foil method works well with coca cola as an agent. Don't be too aggressive though as the chrome could scratch.

ICBM

What are you asking this for on a guitar forum? It’s natural relic’ing, you should leave it as it is.

Snags

Unless it's a massive amount of rust, then another vote for Autosol here. Kept many a motorbike in shiny order over the years.

Lodious

I tried Aluminium foil which didn't seem to do anything on exhaust tips. Autosol worked much better in that application. 

Humboldt

Humboldt said:

The aluminium foil method works well with coca cola as an agent. Don't be too aggressive though as the chrome could scratch.

Toothpaste can also give good results on lightly affected areas.

rze99

OP update. I used Autosol applying both with cloth and soft toothbrush. Patience and a few goes at it is rewarded. V please should have done before and after pics. I expected to find more pitting. It ain’t perfect but very passable.