Product Review: Mothers Chrome Polish (new formula/packaging)

[Bunky]

Product Review: Mothers Chrome Polish

Mothers has a released a new formulation for 2012 that features 50% more product in a new packaging featuring a top side down style plastic bottle. It also features new style labeling.

Product Disclosure: Product received in an Autogeek.net contest with the agreement to provide a review (2 more to do)

Manufacturer's Product Description

Mothers California Gold Chrome Polish features a thick, rich, and easy to use formula that gently deep cleans and brightens chrome bumpers, wheels, trim, and accessories. Advanced polymers help protect against fingerprints, spotting, rust, and corrosion, Will not streak, scratch, or smear. Safely cleans glass and mirrors.

Price: $6.99 (12 ounces)

Country of Origin: Made in USA

Physical Observations
1. Packaging: "Top Down" plastic bottle with flip to lid
2. Viscosity: somewhat watery
3. Color: light green
4. Scent: detergent like smell

Product Directions from product label:

Shake well before and during use. Finish should be clean, dry, and cool.

1. Put a small amount of Chrome Polish onto a soft, clean microfiber, terry cloth or suitable applicator
2. Rub polish onto the chrome surface, adding small amounts of polish as needed
3. Allow to dry to a haze
4. Remove haze with a clean, dry microfiber or terry cloth towel, Turn frequently for best buffing action

Other products used:
1. Mothers All Wheel and Tire Cleaner and Chrome Wheel Cleaner (used only on wheel rim lip)
2. Mothers Reflection Tire Care: tires
3. CG Maxi-Suds II: wheel face, wheel wells
4. Mothers Tire and Wheel Brushes: tire, wheel face
5. Wheel Woolies, large and medium: (wheel wells, wheel barrels)
6. Optimum Power Clean (wheel wells)
7. Griot's Under Carriage Spray (wheel wells)
8. 2001 Chrysler Sebring 105K miles (slightly used)
9. Mothers Synthetic Wax (a review that will follow in a few days): paint

Preparation
The tires and wheel area were cleaned. The chrome wheels had some been baked on brake dust that was not completely removed. Instead of completely cleaning them with a tool, I decided to see if the Chrome Polish was tackle this rather than use the Chrome Wheel cleaner on all wheels..

Use notes
I applied Chrome Polish by applying an ample amount on a microfiber towel. The new bottle seems easier to squeeze out the desired amount of polish compared to the older style botte. It is fairly watery and was easy to spread over the chrome wheels. To clean, you just work the product over the chrome. As you work it, it will haze. It could take several back and forth motions and sometimes a little more polish to remove the more stubborn baked on brake deposits but it did it as well as the chrome wheel cleaner (uses an acid).

It is definitely thicker than the prior version and has a slightly different scent but still has some "detergent" type smell. It will haze fairly quickly leaving a crust that you buff off. In the older version, you could be quite liberal and it would be extremely easy to buff off but with the new version if you over applied it was slightly more difficult to buff off.

Product pics new and old


Wheel area before cleaning


Wheels up close before washing


Wheel area during cleaning, dwell cycle


Wheel area after washing


Viscosity old vs new


Cleaned with chrome polish and wheels/wells dressed


Clean up close


Another final up close


Notes:

Ease of use: Very easy

Scent: Pleasant (in absence of knowing the actual scent

Cleaning ability: Very good. It can be used on neglected chrome but in my previous experience but takes plenty of patience.

Cost: Very affordable

Surface Safety Factor: Very safe for chrome, does not scratch if use proper applicator

Personal safety: Llabel states it can be a eye and skin irritant so hand protection may be suggested.

Final Comments
The new version is better than the predecessor. I really like the new packaging plus you get more product. It leaves a nice shine as well as moderate cleaning. A good product to maintain quality chrome. I had used the previous one with Mothers Power Cone. It should work slightly better given the thicker formula.

[Dr Oldz]

Nice review AL. I never realized that it leaves behind some protection. Looks like a good maintainance product for wheels and bumpers that don't need some serious polishing. Looking forward to the other reviews as well.

[tw33k2514]

Ive always loved Mothers Chrome Polish. The new version looks fantastic!

Great review!

[ArkayoDeetayo]

I read your "other products" but am not sure...did you use mother wheel and tire cleaner on the wheels? it made all that brown stuff come off before agitating?

[Bunky]

Nice review AL. I never realized that it leaves behind some protection. Looks like a good maintainance product for wheels and bumpers that don't need some serious polishing. Looking forward to the other reviews as well.

Thanks. Yes, when used on glass, it really can allow water to sheet off.

Ive always loved Mothers Chrome Polish. The new version looks fantastic!

Great review!

Thanks.

I read your "other products" but am not sure...did you use mother wheel and tire cleaner on the wheels? it made all that brown stuff come off before agitating?

Yes, the wheels and tires were cleaned with Mothers All Wheel and Tire Cleaner. I always scrub the tires to insure even coverage since it cleans where it touches.