Thanks: 0
Likes: 0
Dislikes: 0
-
Re: How do you correct chrome pieces?
Hola, and Happy New Year!
On the 2011Silverado, the "chrome" surfaces are likely several different material types:
• Chrome film vacuum formed over a plastic surface (think grilles, possibly the door handle covers and chrome mirror caps)
•Stainless steel (exhaust tips and likely the running boards and bumpers. Possibly the door handle covers.)
I am of the opinion swirls and scratches cannot be removed from "real" chrome plating - which is a hard, thin plating over a copper substrate. Like Mike, I've never seen it happen. Yes, you can hide it by filling, but a scratch is a scratch. I would not use a regular chrome polish on the chrome "film" - it will abrade through the surface after several application. Our Mothers California Gold All-Chrome Cleaner is safe to use on this finish to clean, shine and protect.
Stainless requires speed to polish to a finish comparable to a chrome-like finish. That means using a tool (drill, rotary, etc.). You'll also need to multi-step with polishes to first remove the large scratches with smaller scratches (which is the definition of polishing) and then a finer polish or two to finish it off. We make an aggressive metal polish (Mothers PowerMetal Scratch Removing Polish, metal polish, remove metal scratches) which works well as the first step.
Generally, window trim isn't chrome - it's commonly anodized aluminum. Anodizing is about impossible to restore without removing the anodized coating. It can also be stainless depending on the vehicle.
Are all of the surfaces on your Silverado you mentioned (chrome bumpers, running boards, mirror caps, door handles, and exhaust tips) factory, or were any of them installed by the dealer or aftermarket? If so, it's difficult to suggest a product/process since there are so many variables. Close up pics always help.
-
Super Member
-
Super Member
Re: How do you correct chrome pieces?
What is suggested for anodized aluminum? I'm pretty sure that is what my 2011 BMW has around its windows. I've used the Britemax twins with zero luck. Would Mothers Aluminum Polish do the trick?
-
Re: How do you correct chrome pieces?
Originally Posted by 11Silverado
That's what I seem to be figuring it out which makes me quite sad. The swirls are driving me nuts.
A lot of those accents aren't chrome but rather chrome plastic.Unfortunately there isn't much you can do to improve.
-
Re: How do you correct chrome pieces?
Originally Posted by rlmccarty2000
What is suggested for anodized aluminum? I'm pretty sure that is what my 2011 BMW has around its windows. I've used the Britemax twins with zero luck. Would Mothers Aluminum Polish do the trick?
Our Mag & Aluminum Polish will remove the anodized coating.
After that you'll need to repolish the trim on a regular basis.
-
Super Member
Re: How do you correct chrome pieces?
Originally Posted by douglastwx
Ini Malaysia, we have this product.
not sure about swirls though, but to my understanding, it is a chrome polish
OSREN | Home
For exhaust and door handle, i use meguairs metal polish
How many of you caught where the guy just cleaned the surface with some type of solvent and immediately swiped his finger on the trim leaving behind oil from his finger. He did do a good job.
-
Re: How do you correct chrome pieces?
From my experience from working at Mercedes Benz for many years,we used a cleaner wax to restore those with a little help from a rotary.
-
Super Member
Re: How do you correct chrome pieces?
According to Mercedessource, that aluminum window trim found on German luxury cars such as BMW and Benz is next to impossible to restore once it's become oxidized or swirled. He's got a video where he's gone through nearly every product and technique imaginable with little to no success...
In the end it's 1 of those special PITA parts that they've decided to go with as part of those particular vehicles. Just about every vehicle, especially luxury cars tend to have certain parts that boggle the mind with their grand inconvenience.. i.e. the starter on a Northstar equipped Cadillac being located underneath the engine, requiring the whole engine to be pulled out of the car to simply replace the starter. [I pray my starter never goes out] Lol.
If it's the same kind of aluminum trim they used from the beginning up until at least a few years ago, you're better off just replacing it new.
Sent from my iPhone
Similar Threads
-
By bluebsh in forum Off-Topic
Replies: 0
Last Post: 08-26-2013, 02:46 PM
-
By SON1C in forum Off-Topic
Replies: 14
Last Post: 08-20-2013, 08:18 AM
-
By shinewerks in forum Auto Detailing 101
Replies: 7
Last Post: 09-19-2011, 07:54 PM
-
By calhoun1 in forum Wolfgang Car Care
Replies: 17
Last Post: 02-16-2009, 12:21 PM
-
By Neothin in forum Show N' Shine
Replies: 8
Last Post: 05-25-2006, 11:40 PM
Members who have read this thread: 0
There are no members to list at the moment.
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
-
Forum Rules
|
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
31 |
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|
Bookmarks