Chromium is a hard but brittle metal that is often used as a coating on other metals. The chromium plating process is often used in the production of chrome grilles, wheel rims and other automotive parts, bathroom and kitchen taps, bicycle parts, and so on. At the same time, chrome is cleaned quite well from dirt and rust and does not even require expensive cleaning products or special tools for this. However, chrome can get dirty and tarnish very quickly, so if you want to keep it shiny, it's important to clean your chrome surface regularly.

Steps

Part 1

Prepare an aqueous solution of dishwashing detergent. First of all, chrome must be cleaned of dirt, stains and grease in order to expose rust that may have formed on its surface. Fill a bucket with lukewarm water. Add 10 drops of liquid dish soap to it. Stir the soap solution with your hand until a light foam forms.

• To wash such chrome items that can be immersed in the solution (for example, small parts, pots or dishes), it is best to use not a bucket, but a kitchen sink.

1. Wipe the chrome surface with a cleaning solution. Soak a sponge or microfiber cloth in the soap solution. Squeeze out excess water so that it does not splatter everything around. Rub the chrome surface with soapy water, making sure not to miss a single spot. Rinse the sponge regularly in soapy water to clean it and soak it again in the cleaning solution.

   • To reach hard-to-reach corners and crevices, use a soft toothbrush moistened with soapy water.
   • For best results, clean chrome surfaces weekly or as soon as they begin to tarnish.

2. Rinse the surface. When you think the chrome is clean enough, drain off the soap solution. Rinse the bucket and fill it with clean water. Rinse the sponge thoroughly under running water. Squeeze out excess water from the sponge and wipe the chrome again to remove any remaining traces of the cleaning solution from it.

   • For items that you washed in the kitchen sink, simply rinse off the cleaning solution in running water.
   • When working outdoors on car and bicycle parts, simply rinse them with water from a garden hose.

3. Remove stubborn stains with wine vinegar. Sometimes you have to deal with stains and marks that are not washed off with ordinary soapy water, and they need to be rubbed off with a mildly acidic solution of wine vinegar. Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a bucket or sink. Wet a sponge with the solution and wring it out, then rub it over stubborn stains to work the diluted vinegar on them.

   • When you are satisfied with the result, rinse the chrome surface again with clean water.

4. Wipe the chrome surface dry and inspect it for rust. Take a dry microfiber cloth and wipe the chrome surface with it. Dried water drops easily leave marks on chrome, so fresh drops must be wiped off immediately before they dry. When wiping the chrome, check it for rust.

   • If you find rust on the chrome surface, use the rust removal method below.

Part 2

1. Cut square pieces of aluminum foil. Tear off a strip of foil about 7.5 cm wide. Cut it into three equal parts. Each piece should be about 7.5-10 cm long. To remove rust from chrome, you will need to wipe it with aluminum foil.

   Fill the bowl with water. Take a small bowl from the kitchen and fill it with plain water. The water will act as a lubricant between the chromium and aluminum. Rust is eliminated as a result of a chemical reaction when these two metals come into contact.

   • To clean rust from chrome, there is no need to use cola or vinegar as a lubricant.

2. Rub the rust with foil soaked in water. Dip a piece of foil into a bowl of water to wet it. Gently rub the wet foil over the rusted area of ​​the chrome surface. There is no need to apply excessive pressure and excessive force, since very little friction is required to form the rust-dissolving alumina.

   To clean pitted areas, use a ball of aluminum foil. Chrome is prone to chipping, especially where rust appears. You can remove rust from such places and give them a smooth look with a crumpled ball of aluminum foil. Tear off another 7.5 cm wide strip of foil. Crumple it into a not very tight ball. Wet the ball and gently rub the dents with it.

   Rinse and dry the chrome surface. Once all the rust has been removed, take a sponge or hose to wash off the brown paste that has formed during the work. After washing off the rust particles and the remaining paste, wipe the surface dry with a clean microfiber cloth.

Part 3

Polish the chrome surface with a dry cloth. Take a clean, dry microfiber cloth and completely buff the chrome surface with it. Apply light pressure and rub the metal in a circular motion. This will help remove any remaining traces of moisture, dirt, and rust, as well as polish the metal to a high shine.

• You can also use a portable polisher with a clean, dry polishing head.

1. Lubricate the chrome with baby oil. Baby oil is essentially vaseline oil and is an excellent polish for wood and metal. It will not only help to make the metal surface smooth, but also give it a beautiful shine. Place a few drops of baby oil on the chrome surface, spacing the drops 2.5-5 cm apart.

   Wipe the chrome surface with a cloth. Use a dry microfiber cloth to rub the baby oil onto the chrome. While working, lightly press on the rag and move in a circular motion. Once you have treated the entire area, repeat the process with another clean cloth to remove excess oil from the surface.

Chrome parts are in demand among car enthusiasts - they paint the car with shine and make it stand out in the traffic stream. Chromium is an expensive material that corrodes like other modern metals. It is characterized by consistent tarnishing and brittleness, and chrome parts must be carefully looked after.

Expensive cleaning products are not affordable for everyone, and cheap, low-quality counterparts contain harsh chemicals that accelerate the destruction of the material. This article will look at the process of answering the question "how to remove rust from a chrome part" using improvised means.

The problem of the destruction of chrome, along with the paintwork, is the eternal misfortune of car owners. The appearance of rust is irreversible, but the period of its formation depends on the care of the machine. The main reasons for the rapid formation of corrosion:

• Severe road conditions (dirt, temperature fluctuations);
• Mechanical damage to the coating (scratches and cracks from gravel or bad parking);
• Improper care (washing with strong substances, use of rough material), which creates microcracks.

Due to the presence of these factors, the material breaks down faster, which contributes to the accelerated appearance of plaque and rust.

For a chrome-plated surface, the nature of a number of signs that clearly indicate the loss of the original qualities of the material:

• color fading;
• Multi-colored stains;
• Strong sticking of dirt, unusual for the material.

Even a well-polished and lacquered part loses its luster after six months and stands out as an element of a dull color against the bright color of the car.

If one of the signs described is found, there is a high probability that rust has formed behind dirt and grease, especially in hard-to-reach places. To remove it, it will be necessary to carry out a series of measures to clean the surface of foreign substances, and then restore the lost qualities.

Preparing to remove rust from a chrome part

The task is complicated by the fact that chromium is a thin material, and a local area of ​​rust has a destructive effect on the rest of the surface of the part. Moreover, the scale of the spread of rust is difficult to assess without cleaning it from dirt and grease, behind the layers of which it can hide. To start removing rust, you must follow a few rules that relate to the properties of chromium:

• Sudden temperature changes are prohibited, because. it contributes to the accelerated destruction of the material;
• Do not use salt-containing products;
• The use of a cleaning cloth with a rough surface is strictly prohibited.

If the rust has not completely destroyed the layer and has not begun to spread through the metal behind the coating, it will not require much effort to remove.

Cleansing from dirt

Before the main work, it is required to free the surface from dirt and grease accumulated during the operation of the car. It is required to prepare warm water or gasoline and rinse the surface of the chrome part to the base, following the procedure several times. Ideally, it is best to remove the dirt with a garden hose. The next task is to wipe the part dry with foil or a soft cloth. If plaque or dirt remains in hard-to-reach places, clean with a toothbrush.

Localization

When rust is present, protective equipment is indispensable. It was mentioned above that corrosion damages the neighboring area, to prevent which it will be necessary to varnish the surface. During removal, you can use wax or polish. After the localization procedure, you immediately need to start removing rust.

Removal

Rust is successfully cleaned both with improvised means and specialized cleaning materials. If the part is in a public place, chalk or washing powder is used, which will remove foreign substances for a long time, but reliably. The materials do not have a destructive effect on the chrome surface and are safe. It is necessary to carefully carry out a dry rag along the extreme areas of rust, without touching the whole surface. When it has spread to a hard-to-reach area, a toothbrush is used for cleaning. This will qualitatively remove a small amount of rust.

If corrosion has completely destroyed the layer to the base, you can safely use aggressive agents - chlorine and soda. These materials remove plaque faster, but require high precision and high rubbing force, because. negatively affect the chrome surface. To facilitate the process and reduce time, it is recommended to use the WD-40 aerosol product, which copes with plaque in hard-to-reach places.

Purification of the substances used

If explained correctly, the rust is not removed, but softened, and on the cleaned surface there are traces of it and cleaning materials that need to be removed. If dry reagents were used to remove plaque, you can clean the surface with a toothbrush (a new one that has not been used to remove rust).

Restoration of the destroyed layer

To give a smooth shape to the part and eliminate irregularities caused by corrosion, special ceramic-based pastes are used. Such material serves as a substitute for a chrome-plated surface and goes well with natural material. The material is easy to apply and restores the appearance of the part during the day. The ground properties of ceramic paste make it possible to fill large areas of destruction with a thickness of several millimeters. It can be purchased at any automotive store.

When the original qualities of a chrome part are restored, good protection is required. To use a cheap temporary remedy, varnished products will serve, which will protect the coating from reagents and temperature surges for a month, and also restore the shine of the part. Over time, you will need to choose a reliable rust protection product, which is described below.

Ways to prevent corrosion

The appearance of rust is theoretically impossible to predict, only to be detected by the fact of its presence. Corrosion is a natural problem of any materials, from which it is impossible to escape. The only way to prevent rust is to avoid it.

As protective measures, two methods are used that repeatedly extend the life of a chrome part:

1. The chrome surface needs to be covered with a protective vinyl film. In addition to the formation of corrosion, it will protect the part from mechanical damage and scratches, which also contribute to the formation of rust. The glued part needs to be washed frequently, and the film needs to be changed every four months for a new layer.
2. An alternative would be polishing and varnishing the chrome surface. These substances more effectively protect the coating from aggressive substances and temperature changes, but are not able to protect against gravel and dust.

Which of the above methods is better - the choice is up to the motorist. In urban conditions, the quality of roads is higher, gravel is excluded. At the same time, the roadway is often treated with reagents, the choice of surface protection against corrosion is obvious. In rural areas, the situation is reversed and the right thing to do would be to apply a vinyl film.

It is necessary to take into account the operation and location of the chrome-plated part. For example, the fender liner and bumper located at the bottom undergo isos more than the door handles and the emblem of the car brand. Protective equipment is recommended to be changed after a few months. First you will need to remove the old layer and the remaining traces of glue and varnishes. Carefully polish the freed surface and apply a new coating to all chrome parts.

It is not so easy to restore chromium previously applied to the surface of a metal or plastic product. Despite the high level of development of modern technologies, there are not so many truly effective methods for solving such a problem. It is especially difficult to carry out the procedure for restoring chromium at home.

The application of a layer of chromium on products for various purposes is carried out in order not only to improve their decorative characteristics, but also to form a reliable protective coating on them. Chrome-plated parts are well protected from corrosion, in addition, the chromium layer increases their strength and, accordingly, wear resistance.

The most common technology by which a chromium layer is applied to a product is the galvanic method. This method involves processing the part in an electrolytic solution through which an electric current is passed, and allows you to form a protective layer of chromium on its surface. The same technology is used to restore chromium.

How to care for chrome plating

Chrome-plated products can be found almost everywhere today, but most often chrome is applied to parts used to complete cars. Chrome-plated elements of the car, due to the peculiarities of the operation of vehicles, are most negatively affected by external factors. That is why care for such details should be given special attention. In order not to restore or change them in the future if the chrome coating is damaged or loses its attractiveness, it is enough to monitor their condition and regularly perform simple preventive maintenance. Every motorist who cares about the appearance of his vehicle is able to perform such work.

To keep the chrome finish in its original condition and prevent damage that needs to be repaired, it should be wiped regularly with a foam sponge or soft cloth dampened with warm water. When performing such work, you can not use a rough cloth or a hard sponge, which can leave small scratches and abrasions on the protective layer, which will lead to tarnishing.

It is important to know that the chromium layer on the surface of the product is quite critical of temperature fluctuations. Therefore, in order to eliminate the need for a chrome restoration procedure, when operating a car in the cold season, it is best to protect chrome parts with a special oil spray, and clean and service them in a warm garage.

Cleaning chrome parts

Any vehicle owner is interested in the question of how to clean the chrome part delicately, so that later they do not have to restore the chrome. For the qualitative implementation of such a procedure, it is not necessary to contact specialists; you can do it yourself with your own hands, using the simplest means for this:

1. chalk, crushed to a powder state;
2. ammonia;
3. polish for chrome;
4. microfiber wipes;
5. regular Coca-Cola.

How to clean a chrome-plated surface and restore its original shine using these simple tools?

• The most budgetary option for cleaning a chrome coating involves the use of a mushy mixture of crushed chalk, tooth powder and ammonia. The part cleaned with this mixture acquires its original luster. To preserve the gloss for a long period, it is desirable to cover the treated surface with a layer of colorless varnish, which will reliably protect it from minor mechanical damage.
• Many car enthusiasts prefer to clean chrome with Coca-Cola, which is also a fairly effective way. This is explained by the fact that the composition of this drink contains orthophosphate acid, which has strong oxidizing and, accordingly, cleaning properties.
• Polishing of chrome is carried out using special pastes that can be purchased at any automotive store. Such a paste is applied to a microfiber cloth, with which the treatment is performed.

Chromium recovery procedure

Restoring chrome parts is a much more complicated procedure than bringing painted products back to their original state. It is possible to qualitatively restore a damaged chrome layer only with the use of special equipment and consumables, many of which cannot be purchased at a regular hardware store.

Therefore, in cases where a chrome-plated car rim or other chrome-plated car element needs to be restored, it is best to contact specialists. However, knowing how to restore a chrome coating to give it its original attractiveness and protective properties will not be out of place for any car enthusiast.

The procedure for restoring chrome is as follows:

1. Usually, chrome coatings need to be removed from rust, which can not only worsen their decorative appeal, but also significantly reduce their protective properties: corrosion begins to actively affect the base metal on which chromium is applied. First of all, it is necessary to remove traces of corrosion from the chrome coating to be restored, for which a grinder is used. With the help of such a tool, all the irregularities that exist on it should be removed from the treated surface. At the initial stage of such processing, a coarser disk is installed on the machine, which is later replaced with tools made of fine abrasive. Finishing with a grinder is done with a felt disc.
2. The product element cleaned with a grinder, the surface of which should become perfectly smooth, must be degreased. For such a procedure, which can be performed several times, if the surface to be treated is heavily contaminated with grease and oil stains, gasoline or kerosene can be used. At this stage of processing, various contaminants and plaque are also removed.
3. After degreasing, it is necessary to remove traces of its implementation and only then immerse the product in a bath with an electrolytic solution to restore chromium.
4. In order for the restoration of the chrome coating to be performed with high quality, and the chromium layer to last as long as possible, it is advisable to perform the technological operation of decapitation. This procedure is performed in a special solution consisting of a mixture of hydrochloric and sulfuric acids, into which the workpiece is immersed. After decapitation, the part is very carefully removed from the acid solution and washed with warm water. This should be done with tongs.
5. The chromium plating process itself is carried out in a bath with an electrolytic solution, which includes chromic anhydride, chromine, cryolite and sodium nitrate. Restore chromium in the electrolyte should be within 7-10 minutes (the duration of treatment depends on the temperature of the solution used).

It is possible to assemble your own chrome restoration apparatus, but at home, as a rule, they can process parts that are small in size and uncomplicated in shape.

There are quite a lot of chrome parts on motorcycles and cars, but, unfortunately, chrome, unlike nickel, is a decorative coating and is not suitable for protecting metal from corrosion. In this regard, due to careless storage, over time, chrome tarnishes and becomes covered with brown dots of rusty plaque. If no action is taken, then the corrosion of the metal under the galvanized coating will reach a stage where the chrome will simply fall off and then it will be impossible to return it to a decent look at home. To do this, it will be necessary to clean the metal from the old coating and apply a new layer of chromium or nickel by electroplating.

To avoid such a problem, it is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the motorcycle or car in general and the chrome on it in particular. To begin with, it would be desirable to prevent the situation when the equipment starts to rust - now there are a huge number of polishes, waxes, polymers on sale to protect enamels and coatings from moisture, dirt, etc. So do not forget about the timely washing and care of your equipment ...

But there are times when rust on the chrome is unavoidable, as is the case with most of our internal combustion engine rarities - many of them are over half a century old and have been stored in old sheds with dirt floors, leaking roofs or even in the open for most of this time. sky. Some of them saw a clean rag and a bucket of water only in dreams...

And so, you found spots of rust on the chrome parts of your motorcycle. What to do? To solve the problem, there are several fairly simple ways available to everyone:

Soda and foil

Pour soda on the corroded part, wait a few minutes and start rubbing with a piece of foil (for example, from a chocolate bar). In this case, soda acts as a source of carbonic acid that reacts with rust, and foil is like a soft file, its task is to clean and wipe off what has reacted with acid.

• The advantages of this method are its availability, low cost and speed.
• The disadvantages are the inability to eliminate deep corrosion spots, i.e. after cleaning, rust may appear again soon. Yes, and the foil can scratch the chrome a little, and with each such cleaning it will become dimmer.

toilet duck

Pour this detergent (or any other based on organic acids) into a container and immerse the part there for a while. Rust comes off very well, and chromium does not suffer much, since organic acids are not strong enough for the reaction to take place quickly - chromium will not suffer much. But here the main thing is not to overdo it, otherwise it will become cloudy.

• Pros: cheap and cheerful, penetrates deeply and removes rust with high quality.
• Cons: you can ruin the coating if you keep it for a long time or if the product is very concentrated.

Orthophosphoric acid

A variety of rust converters are made on the basis of this acid, sometimes they also have a galvanizing effect, which is very good. The principle of operation is as follows: we smear the problem area with acid or a rust converter, wait a few minutes, wash everything clean.

• Pros: high-quality rust cleaning with a passivating or galvanizing effect. In the place where the acid reacted with the metal, an oxide film is formed, which is very resistant to the effects of the external environment.
• Cons: The acid is quite aggressive to the chrome itself and can spoil it if overexposed, and if the part is left in acid for a very long time, it can corrode deep sinks.

Chrome cleaners

Special chrome cleaners such as WAX TURTLE Silver Chrome. Such products also contain acids, as well as a variety of polymers to protect the cleaned surface from external influences.

• Pros: easy to use, cleans rust well, protects the cleaned surface.
• Cons: Such funds are slightly more expensive than those listed above.

Summing up, we can say that cleaning chrome from rust is not a difficult and not very troublesome task. The most important thing is to do everything carefully and carefully. Well, the best thing is not to bring the situation to the point where you need to think about how to return the original appearance.