oxidized chrome?

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crazyhorse
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oxidized chrome?

Post by crazyhorse »

I thought I posted this earlier, but can't find it. :?
I have wheel well chrome that is very straight BUT MILKY. :cry:
Any good advice/instructions on how to make it look like CHROME again? :help:
I have the chrome off the truck.
Thanks . :fr: :fr: :fr: :fr:
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Re: oxidized chrome?

Post by 71fordkid »

If i remember right, all the "chrome" trim on these trucks is polished aluminum, sans the hood side badges. I don't remember what to do to polish them, i would think some of the mothers/mcguiar's aluminum polish and a mothers polisher ball or a good polishing rag would do some justice for the trim.
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Re: oxidized chrome?

Post by fordman »

rubbing compound and steel wool. it takes the junk right off and doesnt scratch it up either.
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Re: oxidized chrome?

Post by crazyhorse »

Thanks for the advice.I have polished about 3 hours on 2 peices with Mothers, Maguiars, Eagle One,
they look better but still have some ''milky'' in them. :cry:

Mr Fordman, would that be #7 red rubbing compound? :hmm:
Thanks again. :fr: :fr: :fr: :fr:
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Re: oxidized chrome?

Post by fordman »

thats what i have used in the past. it has taken the yellowing out of many pieces for me.
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Re: oxidized chrome?

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Re: oxidized chrome?

Post by Mancar1 »

I have used steel wool with compound with good results, but get the light wool. #0000
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Re: oxidized chrome?

Post by cdeal28078 »

Like the link from BobbyFord says the trim is anodized aluminum and the anodizing has to be removed before you can polish the base metal. Follow his link and it will tell you how.
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Re: oxidized chrome?

Post by DuckRyder »

I haven't used it but the BMW guys swear by this:

Aluminum Trim Refinish Kit
Robert
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Re: oxidized chrome?

Post by crazyhorse »

Thank you to everyone that took your time to give all this information. :thup:
I followed the link BobbyFord posted except had some old aluminum wheel sealer
I used. I also used the very fine steel wool & rubing compound. :clap:
I had some of the white compound left from a while back.
I just took my time .
Mr Duckryder, filed that link away, if I have more to polish I may order it,looks like it would be easier to use.
They do not look like new, but they look soooo much better, I'm pleased. :D :hd: :woohoo:
I wish I could post a picture, but I can't. :oops:
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Re: oxidized chrome?

Post by 390bump »

I have tried different methods that all work but one of my favorites is WD40 with fine steel wool (the 0000 which is the finest). The WD40 acts like a light cutting oil and and works really good on light surface rust.
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Re: oxidized chrome?

Post by terry1167 »

DuckRyder wrote:I haven't used it but the BMW guys swear by this:

Aluminum Trim Refinish Kit
This looks interesting and I might buy it and give it a try. I tend to have a lot of different trim from trucks/campers/cars that this could be used on. If I try it, I will let y'all know the results.

:fr:
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Re: oxidized chrome?

Post by synyster159 »

im getting ready to do this. anymore suggestions/???? my headliner trim is the only alum that has rust on it so imma try the wd 40 and steel wool on it. but my outside trim is really cloudy. im thinking a dremel tool and some mothers? just wondering the best way to do it ... ty in advance for future advice :)

also i read the sites guide to doing this but red devil lye has been discontinued due to idiots making meth.......... im sure you all knew this but is there a substitute?/???
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Re: oxidized chrome?

Post by terry1167 »

synyster159 wrote:im getting ready to do this. anymore suggestions/???? my headliner trim is the only alum that has rust on it so imma try the wd 40 and steel wool on it. but my outside trim is really cloudy. im thinking a dremel tool and some mothers? just wondering the best way to do it ... ty in advance for future advice :)

also i read the sites guide to doing this but red devil lye has been discontinued due to idiots making meth.......... im sure you all knew this but is there a substitute?/???
In regard to the headliner trim. I just pulled a chrome headliner trim from a 71 F250 that had minor pitting and some rust on it and I used some steel wool and some "blue magic" metal polish and holy cow.....sparkles like brand new. Pretty much removed 99% of the pitting and rust. I've used the blue magic on several metal restoration projects and it does a pretty good job. I have also used it on trim along with a dremel polisher. Works pretty good, however, I have not had any real success with removing the "milky" discoloration from aluminum trim vs. chrome or stainless steel. There is a product called "everbrite" that I've ordered that does a great job of restoring painted metal and removing oxidation. I've used it on my RV projects. I was just looking at their website and they now have a product with testimonial from a "dent" owner that claims that it restored all of his truck trim. I plan on ordering some of that in the near future and giving it a try on some of my many projects with aluminum and stainless steel. I will keep everyone posted on the results.
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'90 F250,460,48K XLT Lariat, Supercab
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Re: oxidized chrome?

Post by synyster159 »

Can u get the blue magic at a store or online? Ty Terry

Anyone know if u can use SOS pads like from a grocery store if not where do u buy 0000 steel wool?
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