Rust removal from chrome plated steel?

[SIR REAL ED]

Any thoughts?

I usually go with steel wool, grade 1 or finer, "wetted" with a lubricant or penetrant such as Deep Creep, PB Blaster, or paste wax.

Tips from those whose finger tips hurt are much appreciated.

[dsrdave]

Wadd up some aluminum foil and use wd40 to lubricate. The aluminum foil works WAY better than steel wool and does not impregnate the base with raw steel

[radguzzi]

I like to start with Naval Jelly so as not to scratch the surface. 
If that does not do it completely then 0000 steel wool and Semichrome.  And Gently.

Finish with Neverdull solvent wadding...

Are these parts really badly rusted or pitted...?

Best,
Rob

[radguzzi]

Wadd up some aluminum foil and use wd40 to lubricate. The aluminum foil works WAY better than steel wool and does not impregnate the base with raw steel

I like this idea Dave...

Thanks

[SIR REAL ED]

I like to start with Naval Jelly so as not to scratch the surface. 
If that does not do it completely then 0000 steel wool and Semichrome.  And Gently.

Finish with Neverdull solvent wadding...

Are these parts really badly rusted or pitted...?

Best,
Rob

Very light pitting mostly.  A few spots with very heavy pitting.

I have not seen Naval Jelly in years.  I'll look it up.  Thanks!

[SIR REAL ED]

Wadd up some aluminum foil and use wd40 to lubricate. The aluminum foil works WAY better than steel wool and does not impregnate the base with raw steel

I've heard of this and also forgotten about it.  I'll try it.  Thanks!

[motospotter]

I like using the water based chemicals like Metal Rescue. Let the piece soak and use fine steel wool. These water based cleaners are not caustic. You can also reuse. This works best with light pitting.

[Matt Story]

Just stumbled into this product being endorsed on Jay Lenos Youtube channel.  I am going to try it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7TnNEBy3tI

[larrys]

#0 steel wool with Hoppe's #9. Finish with Mother's aluminum polish. Have to try the aluminum foil.
Larry

[Canuck750]

Just stumbled into this product being endorsed on Jay Lenos Youtube channel.  I am going to try it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7TnNEBy3tI

Thanks for the link. I never heard of Quick Glow but I need to find some now.
Jim

[John Croucher]

Send it to Saint Louis Metal.  Just got two fenders back and they looked great.  Sent them painted and came back chrome. 

http://stlplating.com/

[SIR REAL ED]

Let me just ask - Isn't any solution for removing rust from chrome plated steel going to be very temporary?

Chrome doesn't rust; so if there's rust on the surface, it must be from pits, spots, or areas where the chrome plating is gone, and the original polished steel surface (that was there before the copper/nickel/chrome plating was deposited) is exposed and oxidizing.   

Looks like to me that once it's rusting, it'll always rust ...

Lannis

Yep.  Your are right.  Once it's rust, it's no longer chrome. I don't know of any way to reverse the chemical process.

For me the trick is to get rid of the rust while doing minimum damage, and adding some sort of oxygen barrier to stop/retard the inevitable oxidation.  Unless of course, the plan is to re-chrome or paint after cleanup.

[Markcarovilli]

Jim/Matt et al.

I have Quick Glow - comes in fine and not fine.  Works well for small stuff and works as well as anything else, easy to use.

Mark

[80CX100]

Wadd up some aluminum foil and use wd40 to lubricate. The aluminum foil works WAY better than steel wool and does not impregnate the base with raw steel

     I haven't tried this yet, but I keep reading good things about it too, it's filed away in my bag of tricks 

     Tks for the memory aid,lol 

      Kelly

[sign216]

I've used naval jelly, available at hardware stores.  It's no effort and it also brightens up the chrome.

To protect against more rust I use an automobile style wax.  It's good for the season, maybe less.

[ozarquebus]

Has anybody ever tried reverse electrolysis?

[larrys]

Has anybody ever tried reverse electrolysis?

I have saved a lot of rusty stuff with electrolysis, mostly old tools, never tried it with anything chrome plated. I know that electrolysis won't remove nickel plating from steel, so chrome should be safe.
YMMV.
Larry