pitted bumpers how to rectify

[jimmyo06]

Hi how can I make my bumpers look better, they are pitted , seen some things on you tube , using aluminum tin foil.
Can anybody help me

[Sapphire CW]

Hi Jimmy,
The only thing I know of is 00 steel wool and then applying chrome polish.
if there’s pitting, I’m afraid there’s nothing to fix that—except rechroming or replacing.
Some people have powder coated, painted, or wrapped their bumpers.
That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone educates me on some new solution…!
CW

[Philip Wardle]

Hi Jimmy,

I agree with CW - it is possible to greatly improve the look of pitted areas as an interim solution but replating is inevitable when funds permit.

After trying various materials I ended up with the finest 0000 grade steel wool and Autosol metal polish (no doubt other brands would work). The steel wool scours the chrome surface without scratching and cleans the pits out, the polish fills the pits and slows further rusting if you re-polish from time to time. I saw YouTubes about using aluminium foil and tried it, but it turned out the best return-on-investment for my effort was the steel wool method.

[jbuckl]

Have worked on quite a few chromed parts for an OEM.
Fall-out for acceptance is frighteningly high. (scrap / rejection rates)
Only Gloss black is close (or higher) in terms of fall-out.

AFAIAA chrome can only be cleaned to give an improved appearance.

1. Pits cannot be removed. (without repair & re-plating)
2. Scratches cannot be removed. (without stripping & re-plating)
3. Using metal polish abrasives will mostly scratch chrome, sometimes will just remove dirt if very mildly abrasive.
4. You should / can only really clean chrome & protect it.
5. Autosol may appear to improve the appearance of dirty chrome, but it is also scratching it too.
6. Best way to clean chrome is wet with a clean sponge & detergent, then use clean cloths & car wax to protect.
7. If the foil method improves the appearance, its because it has scratched the dirt off & filled the pits with a bit of broken up aluminium..... usually just before a sale

This is why stainless is a good & viable option now that its available at substantially less cost than re-chroming..... can be cleaned polished & repaired without any need to re-plate.


Rightly or wrongly, some OEMs now even mix chrome & polished stainless, despite the appearance differences.

The amount of work that goes into an A-class chromed surface is immense....not to mention the health and safety requirements..... then people offer chromed parts that have been photographed whilst laid down on concrete! makes me shudder!

Mind you, triumph factory chrome finishes were fairly low quality.... linishing marks usually visible on the show sides etc etc.

[Philip Wardle]

Agreed Julian, steel wool and metal polish is for rough old parts - for A-class I follow your point 6 to protect my investment !