Chrome cleaner

[Morris R.]

Someone said you shouldn't use car wax on your chrome, was he right by saying that? What does most people use to when showing their cars?

[Ed N.]

Re: Chrome cleaner

Try Autosol and finish it with Zomel.

[John H.]

Re: Chrome cleaner

Someone said you shouldn't use car wax on your chrome, was he right by saying that? What does most people use to when showing their cars?

Morris -

What you don't want to use on chrome is "chrome polish" or "chrome cleaner" - "polish" and "cleaner" contains abrasives, and will eventually go through the clear chrome layer, exposing the nickel substrate, which then pits, oxidizes, and turns dull. WAX (no abrasives) is what you want to use on chrome, to protect it; the clear chrome layer is less than a thousandth of an inch thick.

[Ed N.]

Re: Chrome cleaner

Well, if you are just going to use wax, I would recommend Collinite Paste Fleetwax No 885. I have tested this wax against the leading brands and it's superior to them. I used it on all the chrome on my Eldorado and it shines and protects very well. Sorry not a Corvette, but just trying to get my point across.

Eldo.jpg

[Paul J.]

Re: Chrome cleaner

Morris, if your car does'nt sit outside in the weather, the only thing you should do to chrome is clean it with soap and water, or Windex, or your favorite glass cleaner. As the bikers say, "you clean chrome, you don't polish it". You should never wipe it dry because you'll scratch it. The less that you mess with it the longer it will last.

Paul

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Chrome cleaner

Morris, if your car does'nt sit outside in the weather, the only thing you should do to chrome is clean it with soap and water, or Windex, or your favorite glass cleaner. As the bikers say, "you clean chrome, you don't polish it". You should never wipe it dry because you'll scratch it. The less that you mess with it the longer it will last.

Paul

What do you do about water spots? I use a shamey to dry chrome.
KEN

[Michael G.]

Re: Chrome cleaner

What do you do about water spots? I use a shamey to dry chrome.
KEN

I like micro fiber clothes.

[Rob M.]

Re: Chrome cleaner

Would a product like McGuire's Quick Detailer and a micro fiber towel have an adverse impact on the chrome?

[Paul J.]

Re: Chrome cleaner

What do you do about water spots? I use a shamey to dry chrome.
KEN

Use a clean cotton bath towel with a good nap...the same thing on paint also. A shammy is fine. I have a shammy, but I prefer using several towels.

[Paul J.]

Re: Chrome cleaner

Would a product like McGuire's Quick Detailer and a micro fiber towel have an adverse impact on the chrome?

Probably not enough to notice. Especially if you put enough liquid on the chrome to float the dirt particles. The dust is abrasive.

[Ed N.]

Re: Chrome cleaner

Paul, can ammonia in the Windex negatively impact the chrome?

Ed Nieves

[Paul J.]

Re: Chrome cleaner

Paul, can ammonia in the Windex negatively impact the chrome?

Ed Nieves

No, not on chrome. Windex and other household cleaners are somewhere around 5-10% ammonia. They are too weak to have any effect for the few seconds it is in contact. High concentrations like those in industrial cleaners could possibly etch it with prolonged contact, although I've never seen this happen. Caustics such as soda, and acids such sulfuric acid (used in the plating process) and phosphoric acid will harm it, and are used in DIY removal of chrome. So keep the acid from your battery and your Coca Colas off the bumpers.

Paul

[Ed N.]

Re: Chrome cleaner

Thanks for the info Paul.