Everyone has an opinion. Getting rust off chrome

[wurm]

Happy Easter, everyone.

Finally had a very nice day yesterday so I decided to take the cover off my motorcycle that's been stored in the shed for the past year, in anticipation of riding again this season. The good news is that the mothballs, cayenne pepper, and lavender dryer sheets kept the rodents away. The bad news is that some rust formed on some of the chrome. From what I can tell, it looks to be just surface rust, rather than really deep stuff.

I've just spent some time googling and YouTubing and as usual, there are a lot of suggestions. But I know this group is very knowledgeable as well, so I figured I'd ask here.

The leading contenders for solutions seem to be:

1: 0000 steel wool (dry or not)
2: balled up aluminum foil (with or without lemon juice, Coke, or water)
3. commercial rust remover/polish products

A few people mentioned SOS or Brillo pads because they also incorporate soap, but I think those are too coarse. A few mentioned WD40 with the #0000 steel wool.

At this point I'm looking for easiest rather than cheapest, but if it's going to require a lot of elbow grease either way, I'll go with cheapest.

Would love to hear your thoughts and/or experiences. Thanks.

[pqrst]

Melamine sponges aka magic eraser Mr clean.

[Harbourmaster]

4 aught steel wool and WD40 should do the trick.

I once bought a Chrome Haro BMX bike from a second hand place for $5 that was completely covered in heavy rust. After about 90 minutes that bike looked like it was brand new.

[Speedy]

What you describe should be removable with most any polish. Apply wax before the next long storage.

[Randalls]

Chrome Cleaner
Simichrome, which is a polish that I have used for decades. Does take some elbow grease but works well.

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/simmich...w-36818929


Quick Glo is recommended by the antique car community.

https://www.truegether.com/quick-glo-chr...sting.html


If it’s severe my motorcycle shop gurus use wood bleach--a.k.a. oxalic acid after removing the parts and soaking

https://forums.aaca.org/topic/217843-bes...om-chrome/

[wurm]

Thanks for the ideas. I never would have though a magic eraser would do anything. I'm leaning toward the #0000 steel wool, but I'll probably try them all, even if only for future reference.

This article at least gives an explanation of why the aluminum foil way would work.

[DewGuy]

Back when used cars had chrome bumpers I always used SOS soap pads. Granted the cars weren't new, nor was the chrome, and it always did the trick and looked better. If you decide on SOS, I'd test a spot in an inconspicuous place before going all out.

[RAMd®d]

How does the non-rusted chrome look?

If it's in good shape, steel wool, Simichrome would be last on my list.

If it's not a good shape then, they're fine.

If this is indeed just surface rust, I'd try CLR on a small hidden spot to see if it damages chrome in any way.

If not, then I'd mask off undamaged areas, wet a bit of paper towel with CLR, or some other rust removal liquid and put it on the rust for a time.

Remove the paper towel, and gently wipe at the rust to see if it's removable.

If it comes off, then I'd use something like Mother's Mag Polish, which is very fine.

[wurm]

Thank you, all. Several things to try out.

[chopper]

000 steel wool and some chrome polish.