What can I use to polish up this "chrome" trim?

[forrest@mothers]

Be careful in what you use. The grill, as others have mentioned, is plastic with a chrome looking film vacuum formed over it.

It's not "real" chrome and is easily damaged. Using a traditional chrome polish will likely damage the surface even more than it already is. (You mentioned it was faded and had "spots". Are they pits, perhaps?)

There is a vast difference between a chrome plated rim and this film covering a plastic substrate.

[House of Wax]

Be careful in what you use. The grill, as others have mentioned, is plastic with a chrome looking film vacuum formed over it.

It's not "real" chrome and is easily damaged. Using a traditional chrome polish will likely damage the surface even more than it already is. (You mentioned it was faded and had "spots". Are they pits, perhaps?)

There is a vast difference between a chrome plated rim and this film covering a plastic substrate.

I was just going to post something similar. I have not had much luck cleaning up defects in that plastic chrome crap. In fact you could easily make it worse. I usually just go over it lightly with HD Speed

[emmjay]

Be careful in what you use. The grill, as others have mentioned, is plastic with a chrome looking film vacuum formed over it.

It's not "real" chrome and is easily damaged. Using a traditional chrome polish will likely damage the surface even more than it already is. (You mentioned it was faded and had "spots". Are they pits, perhaps?)

There is a vast difference between a chrome plated rim and this film covering a plastic substrate.

Thanks for that, would any product from what I currently have work or should I just leave it alone?

[AZpolisher15]

After lightly buffing headlights using PlastX, I'll often take the same towel when I'm done and go over my "chrome" grille-- Often with just the residue left on the towel from the headlights. I've also used Megs 10 & 17 on my plastic chrome.

If the headlights aren't terrible (they look to be in pretty decent shape), a very light buff with PlastiX works well. I'd imagine the UP/205 on foam or mf would give similar results?

[emmjay]

After lightly buffing headlights using PlastX, I'll often take the same towel when I'm done and go over my "chrome" grille-- Often with just the residue left on the towel from the headlights. I've also used Megs 10 & 17 on my plastic chrome.

If the headlights aren't terrible (they look to be in pretty decent shape), a very light buff with PlastiX works well. I'd imagine the UP/205 on foam or mf would give similar results?

I might just try an inconspicuous area and report back.

As for the pics, none of those are mine haha.

[SKorch630]

Don't forget... When you correct headlights, you're removing the UV protection that is currently on there. Faded or not. Once you've achieved the results you're after, you need to REAPPLY a UV protectant. Otherwise they will discolor again and become hazy.

[GSKR]

Pretty sure that plastic chrome except for the emblem.cleaner wax should safely clean it up.

[emmjay]

Don't forget... When you correct headlights, you're removing the UV protection that is currently on there. Faded or not. Once you've achieved the results you're after, you need to REAPPLY a UV protectant. Otherwise they will discolor again and become hazy.

I understand this for sure, I will be applying Wolfgang exterior trim sealant or Menzerna Powerlock once I find a post stating how long WGETS can last.

[emmjay]

Pretty sure that plastic chrome except for the emblem.cleaner wax should safely clean it up.

Could I use Pinnacle paint cleansing lotion applied by hand?

I just noticed that the "chrome plastic" has its own swirls which the above definitely wont remove.

I forgot to add, these are all the products I have:

1. Pinnacle paint cleansing lotion
2. Pinnacle black label surface cleansing polish
3. M205
4. Ultimate polish
5. Ultimate compound
6. Sonax 3/6 , which I dont know how to use
7. HD Speed
8. XMT intermediate swirl remover 3, which I dont know how to use, maybe its DAT
9. XMT Carnauba finishing glaze
10. Meguiars NXT metal polish
11. P21s multi surface restorer
12. Scratch x

I would like to clean up some of the swirls and ofcourse water spots. What would you recommend?

Thanks again GSKR

[Eldorado2k]

I just noticed that the "chrome plastic" has its own swirls which the above definitely wont remove.


I would like to clean up some of the swirls and ofcourse water spots. What would you recommend?

Nothing I've ever heard of will remove swirls from plastic chrome. As far as I know, once they're on there, they're on there for good.