Removing rust from Chrome

[Poptopcamper]

I bought 4 very good chrome hub caps at the Cascade Kombi's Vintage VW Show last Saturday. The chrome on the caps is good and no dings! $7.50 each. What a deal. There are some rust pits on the chrome. What is the best way to remove rust from Chrome? These caps are so nice that I could run them the way they are. But they will look even better with the little rust puts gone. Thanks.
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If you only have one tool in your tool box, and it's a hammer, pretty soon, everything looks like it needs to be whacked!
1978 VW Riviera
2021 Dodge Ram 3/4 ton
2020 VW Tiguan
2001 Harley Electraglide Classic
1986 BMW R 800cc motorcycle
2002 Chevy Camaro Z28
1999 Harley Sportster 1200 Custom

[slave1pilot]

evaporust.
get the 3.5 gallon bucket and just drop each one in
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO4lFxl6oE4
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My Photobucket for my Herbie Project - http://s1288.photobucket.com/user/TK-439/library/Herbie?sort=3&page=1

Currently:
1963 Ragtop Beetle
Previously:
1967 Beetle
1968 Beetle
1970 Beetle

[Poptopcamper]

[vwoldbug]

No 7 white polishing compound works good .

[slave1pilot]

I've used it on some of my parts and am very happy
Here's a few examples

And a couple inside the fuel tank
_________________
My Photobucket for my Herbie Project - http://s1288.photobucket.com/user/TK-439/library/Herbie?sort=3&page=1

Currently:
1963 Ragtop Beetle
Previously:
1967 Beetle
1968 Beetle
1970 Beetle

[Poptopcamper]

[AlmostHeavenWV_VW]

Small imperfections/rust/tarnish of chrome can be 'polished' out with plain aluminum foil and windex.

windex is not really important part, just need a solution which gives some lubrication for the foil.

Aluminum is softer than the chrome, hence won't scratch.

Just buy a roll of foil and keep switching to new foil pieces, because it will get dirty.


Cleaned up 4 hubcaps, two tailpipes, and a sideview mirror this way.

Don't forget to protect your hardwork after with some good car wax.
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1973 Standard Beetle
1600DP AK case
Solex 34PICT3 Carb
Bosch DVDA 205AJ Distributor

[CarlosZ]

Foil

[Mispeld]

I used a buffer and rubbing compound on my hubcaps and they came out very shiny.
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Tom
1977 Westy. 2.0 Fuel Injected.

[CrRusty]

I there is only specs of rust, I have had good results with steel wool followed up with auto paint waxing to prevent future rust. Some of the rust removers are not friendly to chrome if pitting is bad. You may end up with peeling chrome when your are done soaking. Id be cautious and try something that has no value before you try it on your "prize" hub caps. I tried soaking a hub cap last year and ruined it.

[Poptopcamper]

Lots of good ideas. The Samba is a great source of information. Thanks.
_________________
If you only have one tool in your tool box, and it's a hammer, pretty soon, everything looks like it needs to be whacked!
1978 VW Riviera
2021 Dodge Ram 3/4 ton
2020 VW Tiguan
2001 Harley Electraglide Classic
1986 BMW R 800cc motorcycle
2002 Chevy Camaro Z28
1999 Harley Sportster 1200 Custom

[alman72]

a rag and some marvel mystery oil. Great results

[alman72]

a rag and some marvel mystery oil. Great results

[Starbucket]

[Elroyyy]

Having played with various acids to clean rusty parts (muriatic, phosphoric and vinegar) I'd stay away from even vinegar for fear that the acid will seep in under the chrome, destroying your hub caps.

Depending on how bad it is, try Bronze wool - it's just like Steel wool but, well, it's made out of bronze. And it won't scratch the chrome.

I used it on an old, neglected Schwinn and that baby shined! Made a nice return for the effort, too.
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My Classified Ads

[Tbob]

Steel wool, and maybe bronze wool, which I have never seen(I love learning about new useful proucts) comes in grades. It goes from very course #3 or #4, which will scratch your hubcaps, to 0000 (4 aught) which is the finest I have seen. I use 0000 and wd-40 to polish chrome. My common sense tells me that it must scratch the chrome, but not on the visable spectrum? If you do not have damage to the chrome, but it has some rusty streaks, a chrome cleaner/polish like semichrome will work well.
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1969 Deluxe, owned since 1973
1973 Westfalia, owned since 1983
1980 Westfalia, watercooled conversion
1985 Westfalia, stock!
1986 Westfakia, Audi I-4 conversion
A couple of trucks and a couple of Jeeps

[Starbucket]

[Tbob]

Thanks, Starbucket. I have not ventured into too many marine stores, as I have enough bad habits(old Volkswagens, old Bmw motorcycles, and the grandaddy of all money pits, old Houses). To hang around marine stores would make me want to fix up old boats. I will put blinders on and go find the brass wool. And only the brass wool!
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1969 Deluxe, owned since 1973
1973 Westfalia, owned since 1983
1980 Westfalia, watercooled conversion
1985 Westfalia, stock!
1986 Westfakia, Audi I-4 conversion
A couple of trucks and a couple of Jeeps

[Hoody]

Original German chrome hubcaps are a completely different animal than the mass produced chrome hubcaps from various countries. Be careful what you choose and test it on the inside of the hubcap first. I would not use any type of steel wool other than “0000”. I personally would not use steel wool on an original German hub cap but a lot of people do.

[CrRusty]

Preventing severe rust on steel is one subject. Controlling minor rust on chrome is very different. These rust converters are not compatible with heavily pitted chrome. Im thinking it is most likely better to preserve what chrome is left. Could be wrong but my thoughts today is to use automatic transmission fluid as a coating over the inner hub caps to prevent any further rust from occurring.
As suggested before wax the outer less pitted chrome in which you see.