How to remove rust and polish chrome very cheap

[assa9]

Hello a gentleman showed me this trick one day a long time ago and it has saved me a ton of money and time over the years. Only works on chrome not on rusted steel. Its real easy and every one has access to the materials to do so. Step one is to get some water and make a puddle in some dirt with it.





Step two is to get a rag and dip it into the puddle and get some mud on it.

 

[assa9]

Step three is to wipe it on the rusted portion of the part. Here is a before photo of the rust



Step 4 is to wipe away the slurry of mud preferable with a clean rag. Will leave a polished surface

 

[assa9]

You can see in the last photo where the rust had gone through the chrome to the steel below and this method does not work on chrome that far gone. It is also important to not get any rocks or other bits of stuff into the rag as it will scratch the surface. This method will also polish chrome as well. Good luck to you guys. This took about 5 seconds to do

 

[CrazyDave]

Great stuff! I gotta try this, thanks man...Nice tat too BTW...I dig it.

 

[RustySprockets]

Just be careful of the grit. I swear by copper pot scrubbies; others prefer crumpled aluminum foil dipped in vinegar. The key is to attack the stain with something tougher than rust, but softer than the finish.

 

[wahwah1013]

I have great results with Bar Keepers Friend and it's super cheep.

 

[Bicycle808]

I like aluminum foil and diet Coke.

 

[horsefarmer]

I like aluminum foil and diet Coke.

There is really something with diet coke vs rust. I have an 84 Suburban with the pie wagon doors. Had it for over 20 years. When I first got it the back doors were really rusty - bubbling thru the paint everywhere. After a company party there was left over diet coke - I ground down the rusty paint but there was still rust underneath and applied the coke and left it for a while. later I brushed on rust oleum it still has not rusted again!

 

[blwnmny]

Interesting teqniques! I'll have to try and remember these.

 

[Modbikemax]

Autosol and crumpled Aluminim foil. Autosol on its own won't move the rust. The Ali foil is soft enough not to scratch the chrome.

 

[Clifford Green]

I like aluminum foil and diet Coke.

I use the aluminum foil and diet Coke with great results. Some may wonder why diet instead of regular? That is because the diet does not leave that sticky stuff on the part you are cleaning.

 

[CrazyDave]

Some may wonder why diet instead of regular? That is because the diet does not leave that sticky stuff on the part you are cleaning.

You read my mind, thanks.

 

[Bicycle808]

And also b/c the Diet just tears stuff up a lot better. Far more caustic, for sure. All those urban legends about being able to dissolve a penny in a can f diet soda overnight.... definitely not true (I tried as a kid), but those myths usually have some truth in their origins.

 

[oddrodal]

Here's some pics. I posted in the build off using a OA bath.

 

[assa9]

how much does your store bought rust removers cost? i posted this as a diy cheap and free way. also after working on cars all day i dont want to walk or ride to the store to get products. in my world i wouldnt walk up to a jaguar x type or rolls royce with any of that stuff. Mud washes off

 

[oddrodal]

To answer your question.... $9.00 and it goes a long way. Time = $$ and I don't care to spend a lot of time to scrub on parts if I don't have to, and I also work on cars and a full time job, just drop it in and a few hours later turn or take it out and rinse.. I do like your post cant beat free!!!

 

[assa9]

To answer your question.... $9.00 and it goes a long way. Time = $$ and I don't care to spend a lot of time to scrub on parts if I don't have to, and I also work on cars and a full time job, just drop it in and a few hours later turn or take it out and rinse.. I do like your post cant beat free!!!

thanks for the answer to my question.

 

[user 15387]

If I have good chrome, I polish with a Dremel polishing drum and Simichrome:

http://bikeshedva.blogspot.com/p/polishing-chrome-bicycle-rims.html

If the plating is more worn or fragile, I work the Simichrome by hand with a rag.

 

[1oldbikelover]

I use the aluminum foil and diet Coke with great results. Some may wonder why diet instead of regular? That is because the diet does not leave that sticky stuff on the part you are cleaning.

I've just used plain water and aluminum foil and it works great, too!

 

[Rust Buzzard]

I've had some goodish results with steel wool and Brasso. I am not advocating it though. It might be harmful to some finishes?