I need to clean up some chrome on a special fork. Suggestions?
04-22-16, 03:10 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
I need to clean up some chrome on a special fork. Suggestions?
Should I try the old ball of foil trick first? Obviously I want to make this fork look as good as I can. Don't have it in possession yet, so this is the best picture I can show.
As a side note, I can't find any other Corsa 7-Elevens with this flat crown, chromed fork. Did they vary year to year?
As a side note, I can't find any other Corsa 7-Elevens with this flat crown, chromed fork. Did they vary year to year?
04-22-16, 03:17 PM
#2
Senior Member
super fine brass wool available at your local marine supply will be the gentlest to minimize scratching of the chrome. Follow up with a liberal polishing with autosol and a clean soft cotton rag. Some will jump in and say oxalic acid. You could try that too.
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04-22-16, 03:47 PM
#3
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That's looks like a fairly easy cleanup. Water and 2k sandpaper or maybe 1500 would also work. I think the 0000 steel wool falls between them in terms of grit.
I have heard but not tried foil. I really should, if you do let us know how it goes.
I have heard but not tried foil. I really should, if you do let us know how it goes.
Last edited by Bikerider007; 04-22-16 at 03:51 PM.
04-22-16, 04:27 PM
#4
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on what Bikerider007 said, use aluminum foil, ball it up dip in some water and scrub on the chrome, the aluminum is harder than the rust but softer than the steel chrome so the surface rust will be removed and the chrome not scratched. scrub until it feels really smooth and you get little if any resistance. Works really well, I was surprised the first time I tried it, cheap and easy.
04-22-16, 06:26 PM
#8
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Why not just soak it in an OA bath? Or some Evaporust?
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04-22-16, 07:45 PM
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Once you get it clean, wax it regularly to keep the rust at bay.
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04-22-16, 08:17 PM
#12
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I too was surprised. The rust just disappeared, and this was on a '64 Schwinn from a back yard in Portland, OR. If it can handle that...
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04-22-16, 08:19 PM
#13
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04-22-16, 08:24 PM
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OA is a minimum of effort with the greatest return and least opportunity for added damage. Plus it takes care of the areas you can't reach or see.
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04-22-16, 08:39 PM
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04-23-16, 06:42 AM
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04-23-16, 02:45 PM
#17
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I shall do the OA bath followed by foil ball, then go up the hardness scale if needed.
Any old car wax suitable for coating the cleaned chrome? I usually use Nu Finish on bike frames (minimal scrubbing since it will remove some paint if you provide the elbow grease)
Any old car wax suitable for coating the cleaned chrome? I usually use Nu Finish on bike frames (minimal scrubbing since it will remove some paint if you provide the elbow grease)
04-23-16, 02:53 PM
#18
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Thread Starter
I already have this on hand. Think it's ok to sub for OA? I only worry because it seemed to have flaked the chrome off of some bolts and a Campy pump mount before... But it does get rid of/convert rust.
I also already have Naval Jelly...
https://www.rustoleum.com/~/media/Di...olver_TDS.ashx
I also already have Naval Jelly...
https://www.rustoleum.com/~/media/Di...olver_TDS.ashx
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