Buffing scuff marks on chrome plating

M

metlmunchr

Member
Wondering if anyone has had any luck buffing out minor scuffs on chrome plating. These are on both rear bumpers from a 69 Vette Basically can't see them from 5 ft away, but in the right light they look like someone might have propped their dirty shoe on the bumpers. I've got a 1hp Baldor buffer and have polished a lot of stainless and aluminum, but no clue if a buffing wheel will touch chrome and/or what compound to use if its even possible.
 
Been a while since I've done it. It can be done provided the scratches aren't very deep and the chrome layer is thick enough. I used the white rouge compound and a flannel wheel on the buffer. (not a rotary polisher, bench buffer) You might try first some 0000 steel wool and polishing compound or even wax. The 0000 steel wool will take very light marks out of chrome.
 
Excellent advise from Chris....Chrome plated steel is pretty hard to scratch. In my experience. I would do the same thing Chris suggested.

I will note that I would not use any automotive rubbing compound to try and polish because it will damage the chrome, very light scratch and swirl marks, ask me how I know...
 
0000 steel wool and some polishing compound like ACA 520 or even wax is also great for getting hard water spots off glass.
 
crashtech said:
Chrome is very hard and very thin. It's a tough thing to correct.
Click to expand...
Yeah Crash, and real easy to screw up to the point where it never can be fixed. Think I'll try the #0000 steel wool first and get some white rouge that's made specifically for buffing chrome. Never knew until now that there's about half a dozen different grades of white rouge depending on what you're using it on. If neither of those do anything I'll just live with what I've got as the car will be a driver once its all back together. Nowhere near bad enough as is to justify $1200 or so for a pair of repros or even more to replate the two originals. Thanks to everyone for the input.
 
RosharonRooster said:
Bumpers used to be 350 to rechrome....double now...and soon to increase with the way the EPA is doing things
Click to expand...
Most of the cost is in the prep. Stripping the old chrome, straightening, polishing the bare steel, sanding and polishing the copper if anything more than a strike with the copper.
If you can do some of prep steps it saves alot of the cost.
 
metlmunchr said:
Yeah Crash, and real easy to screw up to the point where it never can be fixed. Think I'll try the #0000 steel wool first and get some white rouge that's made specifically for buffing chrome. Never knew until now that there's about half a dozen different grades of white rouge depending on what you're using it on. If neither of those do anything I'll just live with what I've got as the car will be a driver once its all back together. Nowhere near bad enough as is to justify $1200 or so for a pair of repros or even more to replate the two originals. Thanks to everyone for the input.
Click to expand...
Try the steel wool with just wax first. That might get it out. If not try polishing /finishing compound. If that doesn't get it then the buffer and white rouge. Use a flannel wheel. Some of the other buffing wheels are much more aggresive. Like the sisal buff. Maybe one step down from the flannel then finish with the flannel. Hope it gets it out. At the very least it will look better than it is now
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top