[lucky]

ok has any one ever tried using the brillo pads to help shine up chrome?? i was thinking sense i have some crappy looking chrome next to my heat shield on my left exhaust pipe near my battery box i was going to use the brillo pads to see if it would work but before i did that i wanted some input her first that way i dont screw up my chrome

 

[CXSarnia]

If by 'brillo pad' you are talking about a 3M non metalic product, don't go near chrome with it. It leaves very fine scratches in an otherwise mirror finish.

Unless your chrome is less than perfect, I wouldn't use it. Regular (mild) steel wool does better (it's softer than chrome). somebody on here suggested 'stainless steel wool' but I've never used it.

 

[lucky]

ok i was wanting to use the type that people use on pots and pans.....

 

[CXSarnia]

ok i was wanting to use the type that people use on pots and pans.....

That's what I thought, and that is what I'll never do again!

I won't even use it on my pots and pans (the bottoms and inside...well, OK, but not the shiny outside!)

 

[lucky]

ok so i shall not touch my pipes with it then thanks don

 

[phantomcxmenance]

Ive used stainless steel type brillo pads with soap inbuilt to get small rust marks off my headers and exhaust pipes for years, it must be the stainless type though.it brings the pipes up like new

 

[LRCXed]

0000 steel wool works great for cleaning OEM chrome. You can get it anywhere that has home supplies. I have had some of the aftermarket cheap chrome get scratch marks in their chrome. But 0000 is safe for all the factory chrome.

 

[lucky]

sweet thanks larry but should i use just the 0000 steel wool or is there any thing else i need to get? and i was really hoping that larry would chime in on this post....

 

[marshallf3]

Lots of soap for lubrication sure couldn't hurt.



I still say that despite the work Dupont "Old #7 Chrome Polish" works as good as anything if you're willing to put some effort into it. Oddly enough a terry cloth towel produces the best results over simple cotton rags.



If that stuff isn't strong enoughtry using it with a buffing wheel on your drill, also some of the "bar compounds" come specifically for chrome and work well too.



If it's really pitted finish up with aluminum foil + WD-40, tiny flakes from the foil dust off into the chrome and fill in the voids.

 

[lucky]

it not pitted at all its just looks like crap and normal soap and water isnt getting it off thats all

 

[Jay Little buffalo]

Lucky can also use 0000 steel wool and see if you can find this stuff called naval jelly, we use to use that on oldie chrome bumber to get off the light rust and polish them up nicley

 

[marshallf3]

it not pitted at all its just looks like crap and normal soap and water isnt getting it off thats all

By all means the Old #7 should do the perfect job, it may be hard to find though. Used to be in every auto parts store then they quit making it, a ton of people started a riot about losing it and DuPont brought it back.



You'll know if it's still the real stuff if it has a strong ammonia smell to it. Cleans off 30 year old haze without a hitch.

 

[jayhanig]

That's what I thought, and that is what I'll never do again!

I won't even use it on my pots and pans (the bottoms and inside...well, OK, but not the shiny outside!)

I made the same mistake myself when I first got my bike. Fortunately, it's not real noticeable. I just use liquid chrome cleaner now and get pretty good results. But I'll never use a scotch pad again on chrome.

 

[lucky]

ok so dont do it got it thanks everyone i shall try to find the #7 then

 

[Gene McCall]

Lots of soap for lubrication sure couldn't hurt.



I still say that despite the work Dupont "Old #7 Chrome Polish" works as good as anything if you're willing to put some effort into it. Oddly enough a terry cloth towel produces the best results over simple cotton rags.



If that stuff isn't strong enoughtry using it with a buffing wheel on your drill, also some of the "bar compounds" come specifically for chrome and work well too.



If it's really pitted finish up with aluminum foil + WD-40, tiny flakes from the foil dust off into the chrome and fill in the voids.

Marshal3, thanks for the tip on the aluminum foil. My GL650 I had only 2700 miles on it when I bought it last November but it did have some tiny rust pits in a few places. I have not yet done anything with them and you just gave me the info I need to deal with the problem, thanks!

Gene

 

[marshallf3]

I've known and used the "Old #7" for decades as have a ton of others that swear by it, I learned about it from my grandfather.



The aluminum foil trick I learned right here on the forum. Sounded kind of fishy to me at first but ir really does work pretty well.

 

[Gene McCall]

I've known and used the "Old #7" for decades as have a ton of others that swear by it, I learned about it from my grandfather.



The aluminum foil trick I learned right here on the forum. Sounded kind of fishy to me at first but ir really does work pretty well.

Since you are still lurking out there somewhere, let me pose a question. Should you use some sort of sealer on the chrome after doing the foil rub? Looks like it could help hold the aluminum dust in place, what do you think?

Gene

 

[CX Andy]

hey lucky, pick up some "Mothers Mag aluminum polish" cost $10, and some terry rags another $5. i read over Rickberts ways of polishing the cheap way and it works quite well but if your bike's finish is as dull as mine your work is well cut out for you. also if the rubber or black plastics have gotten dull also grab some " Back Black" by mothers, its around $7. ill post some pic's of the plasic's and rubber cupplers before and after useing it.







this is how my forks looked before i got started, really badly oxidized and dull after sitting out side without cover for 3 yrs.







and this is after hours of polishing and some wet sanding with 1500 grit. i need to just buy a bench buffer to get the mear shine.

 

[rogerb]

I agree that Mothers aluminum polish is super, but ONLY on aluminum. It polishes out like it's chromed. On some parts there is a clear lacquer coat that you have to remove first then you can use Mothers.

 

[Casey Stangle]

I put this on another thread.



Before treating with aluminun foil and WD-40:

After :