Pitted chrome repair?

[NutmegCT]

Is there a way to improve this surface, other than having it re-plated?

View attachment 36089

Note I said "improve" ...

My initial thought: grind/file it smooth to the touch, paint with aerosol "chrome finish", then clear coat, then wax. Seems this would at least end the possibility of corrosion hitting those raised bumps.

Thanks.
Tom

 

[PAUL161]

How their finished is entirely up to you Tom, but if you want them to look nice, re chroming is the only option. Probably around $40.00 ea. PJ

 

[Billm]

With a surface like that I have smoothed it with steel wool and then coated it with car wax.
It does a surprisingly good job for a daily driver but not good enough for a show car.
BillM

 

[NutmegCT]

Thanks gents. Bill, did the steel wool actually remove the small "bumps"? so the surface was relatively smooth?

 

[Billm]

Yes it did a surprising job- you will have fun when you get some old parts to practice on
Bill

 

[NutmegCT]

Thanks Bill. I'd never have guessed that steel wool would cut down those bumps; thought it would take a grinder.

 

[Billm]

Any progress/results?
BillM

 

[JPSmit]

Any progress/results?
BillM

I can presume - no - since I was to mail some door handles to Tom and it has been to %&?|!!$ cold to get them. Actually I went to look tonight and discovered the apartment shower's drain had frozen and was leaking - so, will try tomorrow. (sorry Tom)

 

[NutmegCT]

Hang in there J-P. Maybe I should also test chrome for "freeze protection".

eek

 

[JPSmit]

Hang in there J-P. Maybe I should also test chrome for "freeze protection".

eek

Pretty sure the chrome is freeze protected. Not sure I am!

 

[TomMull]

Thanks Bill. I'd never have guessed that steel wool would cut down those bumps; thought it would take a grinder.

Best to use a stainless steel wool as the ordinary kitchen stuff leaves a residue that can rust. It is usually available in coarseness gradients from 0 to 4 (coarse to fine).
Tom

 

[NutmegCT]

Best to use a stainless steel wool as the ordinary kitchen stuff leaves a residue that can rust. It is usually available in coarseness gradients from 0 to 4 (coarse to fine).
Tom

Thanks Tom. Have you ever done this on pitted chromed surfaces? I'm trying to gather as much info as I can from guys who have tried this.

 

[TomMull]

Thanks Tom. Have you ever done this on pitted chromed surfaces? I'm trying to gather as much info as I can from guys who have tried this.

I've done this in the past, mostly on old boats with chromed bronze hardware and fittings. No secrets or tricks, the steel wool does what it was designed to do, clean.The steel wool is soft enough so that it mars the surface of the chrome only slightly and takes some of the loose stuff and high spots off.

Clean pitted chrome looks better than dirty, stained pitted chrome. It will forever remain pitted however, until it is re-plated. Don't expect a dramatic transformation, either. At best, the results may look decent at 25 feet and even better at 50, etc.

I do not use it on dirty or stained chrome that is good condition, though. A soft cloth with cleaner/polish is better in that case.
For what it's worth,
Tom