Chrome - Rust Removal, Polish, and Waxing
 

Hello Friends,

I have recently begun restoring a 90s chrome GT, and had started to clean the chrome. I had never removed rust from chrome or polished/waxed before.

My first attempt was on the seat post. I used Bar Keepers Friend with fine Bronze Wool. This seemed to remove most of the rust, but a little remained in some pretty tough areas. I then went over and used Turtle Polish to polish the seat post. After, I used Turtle Wax to finish the job and protect in the future.

After all my effort however, I still find there’s small rust areas in some of the tough spots and some deeper scratches. After seeing all the amazing work on this forum, I was a tad disappointed in myself! However it was only my first time, and I am sure I could of spent more time with the Bronze wool and Bar Keepers Friend.

Do you all have any good tips and tricks for making chrome POP again? Maybe stating with a rougher wool and finding my way down to a fine wool? Maybe different products would work better? Maybe I am just lazy and didn’t spend enough caring time on this run? Any tips are appreciated!

Here’s my first attempt ever and maybe some comical material for the experts! :innocent:
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4ad9c87777.png
Not that bad (For a first timer!)
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...be09daeace.png
Deeper Scratches
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...800b8c06cb.png
Small pits of rust remain. I need to remove the sticker and go at this spot again.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e14478b8c9.png
GT CrMo Swag!

Aluminum Foil and water.

Its going to be temporary abatement, not removal , because the chrome is a thin plating on steel and the scratches went thru the plating..

"Rust Never Sleeps" Neil Young..

Fortunately I live in the desert. Rust is not fond of our climate here! Not much upkeep needed fortunately, but always some required. It’ll give me something to do anyways :thumb:

After you remove it, wax it.

I personally like doing citric acid baths. But to bring the shine back there are some polishes like Autosol that do a great job.

Evaporust works miracles for me if you can submerge the parts in a tub...