Fine Chrome Scratches

A

audipower

New member
Nice to read some post again. Hope everybody is doing well and there business is growing.



My now X-girlfriend lightly curbed my chrome wheels. I tried to smooth them out and fill them but that didn't work well. Stood out like a sore thumb. So I decided to put some clearcoat over them just incase of rust.



What is the best polish for chrome to remove fine scratches? I've tried just about all the store brands. Most where great for cleaning but i can use clay for that. Which works great.



Nice to see spring coming in the midwest.

Thanks!
 
Sorry to deliver bad news- I've never found any way to deal with scratches in chrome except replating.



I've had scratches in my Jag's chrome since the day I took delivery, and in 21 years I've never found any way to fix them, not even the lightest ones. As best I can tell, once you scratch the thin, hard layer of chromium, it simply stays scratched :(
 
I got a VERY small amount of chrome scratches out of my running boards with optimum coumpound and a wool pad on the rotary.
 
Accumulator said:
Sorry to deliver bad news- I've never found any way to deal with scratches in chrome except replating.



As best I can tell, once you scratch the thin, hard layer of chromium, it simply stays scratched :(
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This is something that every detailer should keep in mind when working with chrome.
 
You got *that* right MirrorFinishMan...a few careless moments on the part of some new-car-prep guys have resulted in years of frustration for me.



Be careful polishing aggressively folks. I have spots were the chrome is worn off (worn down to the nickel, IIRC, layer under the chromium) but the scratches are still in the adjacent area. But then the chrom on a Jag is probably thinner than the chrome on a truck too.
 
I learned how easy it is to damage chrome when I first got involved in boat detailing over 15 years ago. In order to save time I started to get a little too aggressive with both the chrome brightwork and the stainless steel railings on boats. I found out very quickly that once the surface gets those fine scratches, there is really no way to get them out. Needless to say, I am extremely careful now-a-days.
 
mirrorfinishman said:
I learned how easy it is to damage ...stainless steel...
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That's a good point too. The SS trim on the same Jag was so swirled up (upon delivery as a new car) that for years I thought it was supposed to be a "brushed" finish! All their cars were marred up in this way and so I thought it was normal.



At least stainless can usually be fixed if one has the time/skills/inclination, but no, I've never fixed it on the Jag.
 
The thing is I used wet/dry sandpaper and I could never get it rough enough for enamel, paint or clearcoat to stick. As soon as I would go sand it TWO days later it would just peel off. Luckly i used a cutting pad to get the minor scratches out. I just wanted to prevent it from rusting out but I don't think that will happen

Also AIO works great on hidding some of the minor scratches and I use SG. It last along time. I'm really shocked being close to the elements.

thanks!
 
This may sound funny, but I have a Harley w/ MEGA aftermarket chrome and most of the scratches can be removed (I should say hidden) by rubbing aluminium foil over the affected area. Use some lubricant such as dish soap or detailing spray.

Good Luck....
 
charlesu said:
This may sound funny, but I have a Harley w/ MEGA aftermarket chrome and most of the scratches can be removed (I should say hidden) by rubbing aluminium foil over the affected area. Use some lubricant such as dish soap or detailing spray.

Good Luck....
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I have heard this before..being guttless I have'nt tried it.
 
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