How to restore shine - polishing and protecting chrome parts. How to clean chrome parts Car chrome parts cleaner

Encyclopedia of Plants 20.06.2020
Encyclopedia of Plants

The term "Chrome-plated" refers to metal plated with a thin layer of chromium. It also means that when cleaning chrome surfaces, be very careful not to rub it off. By following the instructions below, you can protect your chrome products.

You will need:

  • Water
  • Rag
  • Cleaner: (choose one)
    • Chrome cleaner
    • Baking soda
    • Flour
    • Glass cleaner
    • Dishwashing liquid
    • Alcohol
    • table vinegar
    • Lemon juice
  • Nail brush
  • lemon zest
  • Metal polishing cloth
  • Used anti-static cloth
  • Paste with carnauba wax (available at the auto shop)
  • Short hair brush

How to clean chrome surface:

  1. If possible, wash the dirt off the metal with water first. If this is not possible, wipe the chrome surface with a damp cloth.
  2. Choose a cleaner from the list above and use it with a damp cloth or nail brush to clean the chrome surface. Baking soda is especially good for cleaning stains from chrome surfaces.
  3. Rinse off the cleanser thoroughly.
  4. If dark spots appear on the chrome surface, rub them with lemon peel or a metal polishing cloth, then rinse the area thoroughly.
  5. Buff the chrome surface to a shine with a dry cloth.
  6. Coat the metal with a thin coat of carnauba wax to keep it lustrous longer. Try not to let the wax get into the joints, as it will collect dirt over time, and it will be quite difficult to remove it.
  7. If wax gets into the joint, remove it with a short-haired brush. If there is no such brush, you can use the usual paint brush by cutting off the excess pile or wrapping it with tape.
  • Always use the least abrasive or mild cleaner first, and if that doesn't work, move on to stronger ones.
  • It's easy to overdo it when cleaning chrome surfaces. Do not use excessive force when cleaning.
  • Chrome polishing should only be used if necessary to remove stains.
  • A small amount of baby oil can be used to remove stains from chrome surfaces.
  • Never use chlorine bleach or strong acids to clean chrome surfaces as they will cause small holes in the chrome.
  • If you need to store your chrome item for a long time, coat it with Vaseline to protect it from corrosion.

In the design of each car there are chrome parts that are bright elements of the car. So that they do not lose their brilliance and beautiful appearance need to be polished from time to time. You can do this with your own hands by purchasing special tools and chrome polish. However, certain recommendations and rules must be followed so as not to damage the surface.

How to polish chrome parts?

To restore shine to chrome elements, you need a special polishing paste designed for chrome. It is sold in almost every automotive supply store. It is necessary to apply a small amount of grinding agent to a cloth or felt circle, and then wipe the coating. GOI paste, made on the basis of chromium oxide, may also come in handy. Since it is normally solid, it must first be heated to the consistency of plasticine and then applied to a felt disk and treated with GOI paste.

If the part is deeply damaged by rust, then rough grinding is required, for which a coarse-grained abrasive paste is used. This is done using a polishing machine.

It may also be necessary to apply a primer to welds if an area of ​​metal has been removed.

If you don’t want to spend extra money and use a paste, you can replace the GOI with crushed chalk or toothpowder applied to a cloth soaked in ammonia. After the part is cleaned, it must be covered with a transparent varnish for protection. However, GOI paste will be more effective.


In cases where ulcers have already appeared on the chrome coating or there is rust on the part under the coating, polishing is powerless. You will have to contact the workshop to have a new chrome plating done there. In this case, GOI paste alone cannot be dispensed with.

Quality polishes for chrome

RUNWAY polish is designed specifically for aluminum and chrome parts. It is able to quickly remove tarnish from various structural elements and from the rims of the car, and also gives them shine. Effectively removes rust and various contaminants that may be on car parts.

It can also be used to process gold, silver and magnesium items. After the procedure, there is always high level gloss provided by the paste, besides, its composition is free of silicone.

How to use: before proceeding to polishing, it is necessary to thoroughly wash the car from dirt and allow it to dry. Shake the bottle of polish before use, and then apply a small amount of the product to a fresh cloth. The metal surface must be rubbed in a circular motion without allowing the polish to dry. When all parts are processed with paste, they must be additionally wiped with a new cloth.

To clean chrome parts on a motorcycle, bicycle or car, you can use Liqui Moli Chrom-Glanz-Creme. In action, it resembles GOI paste. The tool has green color and contains polishing particles. It will help to effectively protect the metal surface, and also eliminate plaque and rust.

The polish applied to the car will protect the device from the harmful effects of the environment and from ultraviolet radiation. The polishing compound makes chrome surfaces shiny and beautiful, it preserves chrome parts with a protective film that lasts for a long time.

How to use: First you need to shake the cream well, and then apply a small amount to a tissue flap.

Another quality tool designed for chrome surfaces is ASTROHIM AC-272. The polish is recommended for use on various parts vehicle and alloy wheels. The product easily cleans even old dirt and helps protect chrome elements from corrosion. The remains of polish can be easily removed from the coating with a regular rag.

For metal parts and chrome parts, Sonax polishing paste is used, which effectively cleans dirt and protects. The composition contains small abrasive particles, due to which you can quickly remove corrosion and plaque, as well as restore the surface to its original shine. After processing by this tool is completed, it remains protective layer, which protects the elements from the appearance of rust. Sonax must be stored at positive air temperature. It cannot be used on paint coatings, unlike GOI.

For various matte and glossy plastic parts, for example, for moldings or radiator grilles, M1 polish is ideal.

It is used for cleaning and does not harm varnish coatings. It contains a special aluminum oxide, which provides maximum polishing and minimum abrasion. The tool simultaneously cleans and polishes, which is quite convenient for motorists.

There are other polishes for chrome. For example, Doctor Wax (DW8317) has a high-tech formulation that includes a variety of chemical cleaners, polymer additives, passivating agents, and fine polishing paste. This tool is intended for metal coatings, specifically for chromium. It is excellent at removing oxides and rust, and also provides a protective film that blocks microcracks and has a long service life. The paste is also used for steel and bronze parts.

Instructions for use: Shake the bottle in which the paste is located, and then apply a little product to a fresh cloth. It is necessary to polish the surface carefully, turning the cloth over from time to time. The procedure must be continued until all oxides and scratches are removed.

Car enthusiasts who give great importance appearance of their iron pet, they often wonder how to clean the chrome parts of a car. Chrome plating is designed to protect the metal from aggressive influences. environment and at the same time serves as a decoration that gives the car elegant look. But over time, it also lends itself to corrosion, oxidation, becomes cloudy and becomes covered with cracks. To keep it in its original form for as long as possible, care is required.

In order for the chrome-plated surface not to lose its original appearance, it is necessary to carry out its periodic cleaning. You need to do this from the moment you buy the car.

Car care for chrome parts of a car includes two types of work:
  1. Actually cleaning the surface from rust and plaque.
  2. Polishing the cleaned part.

If the damage to the parts is not too deep, all the work to eliminate them can be done by hand, without resorting to the services of a car service.

If the chrome on the part has peeled off or crumbled in places of recesses or holes, it is impossible to restore the coating at home. In this case, it is necessary complete removal chromium and re-chrome plating of the surface.

There are many cleaning products chrome parts car. They can be purchased at an auto shop or used household funds available in every home. When purchasing auto cosmetics, you should pay attention to the designations on the label, indicating that it has the ability to restore chrome plating.

Cleaning can be done with sponges, washing off the cleaning agent with water, and the final polishing is best done with microfiber or fleecy wool fabric.


On the Internet you can find many tips on how to clean rust on a car. The choice of a particular method depends on how deeply it has eaten into the surface of the part. Corrosion may be present in the form of small points, or it may appear as deeper damage, accompanied by swelling and shedding of chromium. This most often occurs under the influence of reagents that are used on roads in winter.

To remove rust spots, you can use:
  1. Cleaner gas stoves. It is mixed with soda one by one and a little warm water is added to make a paste.
  2. Mixture citric acid With salt.
  3. Coca-Cola. It cleans small damaged areas well.
  4. WD-40.

In addition to improvised means, you can clean damaged areas using compounds specially designed for caring for chrome surfaces. These are Doctor Wax, Soft99 Chrome Cleaner and others.

Do not use sandpaper for cleaning. With its help, you can only scratch the part more strongly.

In addition to rust, dirt and various oil deposits can accumulate on chrome parts. They must be washed off before cleaning. After the surface has been washed, you can begin to remove rust. When using special compounds, it is enough to put a few drops on a rag and rub until the part begins to shine.

If do-it-yourself mixtures are used, they are applied to the surface and left for a while so that they enter into chemical reaction with rust.

There are times when the car was washed and cleaned using all possible means, but rust and stains on chrome parts still remain.

In these cases, the following can help restore their appearance:


  • use of chrome film;
  • chemical plating.

Do not use cheap Chinese film. It is short-lived and can soon inflate and peel off at the edges.

Before using the film, it is necessary to achieve maximum smoothness of the restored surface. If it is severely damaged, the old chrome coating is removed.

Chemical plating is more complex process. Compared to the galvanic chromium plating method, it is much cheaper, but it will be extremely difficult to make it at home.

AT living conditions We often encounter the appearance of rust on various kinds of metal objects. Chrome-plated items, such as sanitary ware in the bathroom, are also subject to this nuisance. Although there is an opinion that chrome coating is the most resistant to corrosion, this is far from being the case. Under certain circumstances, when several adverse factors affect chrome at once, products can become covered with red spots. In this article, we will tell you how to remove rust from a chrome surface and how to avoid this problem in the future.

Chrome plating is special technology applying the thinnest layer of chromium to metal products. Today, galvanized chromium plating is most often used. The process consists in the deposition of chromium using an electrolytic solution on a metal surface directly under the pressure of electrical charges.

The popularity of this operation is due to the fact that the chrome part acquires improved technical and performance characteristics: strength, resistance to negative factors environment. All this allows the use of metal not only for finishing, but also for decorative purposes.

Chrome-plated elements are widely used in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and plumbing are created, which can be seen in almost every bathroom.

The disadvantages of such surfaces undoubtedly include low resistance to mechanical stress - small scratches, holes and chips appear on the coating quite quickly. If the material is used for outdoor finishing works, then under the influence of oxygen (oxidation reaction) rust can also appear.

Causes of rusty plaque

The main cause of corrosion on the surface of chrome-plated products is excessive force and mechanical loads. They lead to the appearance of small scratches and cracking of the surface layer of the material. This happens as follows: the metal is under a chromium coating, it oxidizes due to negative impact oxygen and others organic matter. Thus, rust appears.

It should also be noted that metal Appliances the aggressive effects of chemical reagents (soap suds, detergents, dust formations, mold). The feeling of cleanliness and comfort is lost - the coating becomes cloudy and loses its original natural luster.

Rust removers

Removal of rust from metal surfaces can be carried out both with the help of specialized chemical compositions, as well as using folk remedies. It all depends on your personal preferences and financial capabilities.

Specialized formulations

A wide range of compounds are currently on the market for the effective elimination of corrosion and rust stains. When choosing, you should focus on the labeling indicating the possibility of using the product specifically for cleansing. One such product is WD-40.

To prevent the subsequent occurrence of this problem, it will not be superfluous to use protective polishing for chrome. Professionals clean metal products with Doctor Wax and Autosol metal polish products. Such polishing pastes help to reduce the degree of wear on nickel-plated and other metal surfaces.

To clean the chrome coating, you can also use multi-functional cleaners, for example, Mr. Muscle from plaque and rust.

On video: comparison test chrome polishes.

improvised means

If you want to save on this process, then improvised means will come to your aid. To combat corrosion, you can use:

  • toothpaste and an unnecessary piece of soft tissue;

  • metal sponge (in advanced cases);

  • tin foil.

When removing rust from a nickel-plated surface on your own, it is important to use suitable material with which you will apply the cleanser. Experts recommend refusing to use sandpaper, as it can cause new scratches.

How to clean chrome using folk remedies?

Since ancient times, our ancestors have faced the problem of rust on metal objects. Therefore, today there are many folk methods to help remove rust from chrome surfaces. Before cleaning household appliances from rust stains using specialized compounds, try using the products described below.

Application of vinegar

Vinegar is considered the most effective tool against rust. Pour the solution into a plastic bag, then place the rusty parts in it for several hours. Small items can be completely immersed in the solution, while large items will have to be attached to the bag with an elastic band or clothespins. After two to three hours, the corrosion spots will disappear, the surface will only need to be dried and wiped with a clean cloth.

A real headache for many housewives is the usual rust that occurs on chrome products in the bathroom and kitchen. Despite the widespread belief that chromium is immune to corrosion, red spots often appear on plumbing fixtures, shelves, holders and other metal products.

Chrome faucets enjoy in high demand thanks to its durability and aesthetic appearance.

Chrome plating is metal products thin layer of chrome. Thanks to this procedure, the strength of the material increases and its aesthetic qualities increase. However, from the appearance of rust, unfortunately, such a coating does not save. A similar nuisance occurs due to the appearance of small scratches on the surface of chrome. Ordinary metal, which is under the coating, oxidizes under the influence of oxygen, resulting in such a problem as rust. In addition, in everyday life, the chrome surface is exposed to soap suds, mold and dust - all these factors make the shiny surface cloudy, completely destroying the feeling of comfort and cleanliness. Fortunately, removing dirt and rust from chrome is not that difficult.

How to remove rust from chrome parts

Rust can be removed from the surface using special means, or by resorting to folk recipes. To date, manufacturers offer a lot of tools for quick and high-quality removal of rust stains. However, there are several cleaning methods using improvised means.

What can be done to combat corrosion?

  • soft fabric;
  • regular baking soda;
  • liquids containing acids (vinegar, lemon juice or regular Coca-Cola);
  • salt;
  • tin foil;
  • metal wool.

How to clean chrome - folk recipes


How to clean chrome professionally

There are professional compounds for removing rust from chrome - as a rule, there is a marking on the product packaging indicating the possibility of cleaning, polishing and protection. In particular, we can highlight Doctor Wax and Metal Polish. The cost of such funds justifies itself: the expense with high-quality care for chrome will be minimal - as a rule, a weekly treatment is enough.

It is better to use professional formulations in a well-ventilated area and keep children and pets away from the freshly treated surface.

How to prevent corrosion

To care for the chrome surface, use only gentle products - this will help to keep the appearance in perfect condition for a long time.

Regular cleaning and keeping chrome surfaces clean will help prevent damage to the finish and subsequent oxidation of the metal. It must be remembered that any processing of chrome products must be done with due care to avoid any damage to the coating.

  • Various multi-purpose cleaners such as Cillit Bang, Mr. Muscle, etc. do an excellent job of removing dirt and not harming chrome. After cleaning, wipe the shiny surface with a soft cloth.
  • Old soap suds can be removed from plumbing fixtures with cooking spray or antistatic wipes. Soap-stained chrome should be treated with a spray and wiped with a cloth.
  • Strictly follow the material and means that are used to clean metal products. Compounds containing abrasive particles should be avoided - they lead to additional damage to the chrome-plated product and only exacerbate the problem of rust. Don't try to clean stains either. sandpaperdeep scratches increase the access of oxygen to the metal, provoking its oxidation. Gentle products, fabric and metal wool will help keep the chrome coating in its original state for a long time.

Care of chrome products

A protective layer of special polishing will help reduce the natural wear of the surface and prevent corrosion. There are also rust sprays and lubricants to keep the chrome from getting damaged.

If the chrome surface has suffered significant damage, you can use spray paint, which refreshes the coating and helps to avoid further rust stains.

You can buy these products at hardware stores. In addition to the color imitating metal coating, such paint has an extensive palette, so that coloring can revive a bored interior. Coating the surface with paint will protect the product from subsequent “attacks” of rust.

Rust on home plumbing is not such a terrible misfortune. Thanks to simple actions, the chrome-plated surface will serve faithfully for a long time to the delight of the owners.

We recommend reading

Top