Polishing chrome

[nickd01]

My missus is the proud owner of a 1968 burgandy Morris Minor Convertible and I am the delegated car washer in the household...
I am happy washing & waxing it; I've clayed it and put some Mezerna One Step over it and she looks a treat. The paintwork is generally in good condition and I'm sure just before the summer (With a little help) get her looking amazing. The only problem is the chrome detail on it.

I've tried a chrome polish but some of the actual metal looks almost "pitted". So, some of it comes up nice and shiny but with a slightly pitted look close up. Other parts just stay dull.

Is there a way of restoring old chrome? We don't really want to replace all the bits as it's expensive and labour intensive (Whereas my labour is free!)

Can anyone give any tips? Many thanks.

[wildoliver]

if the chromes pitted thats it I'm afraid, you can get stuff rechromed, but it isn't cheap as its very labour intensive.

[grahambell]

As wildoliver says, re-chroming can be expensive.

However, with Minors being so popular many bits have been remanufactured so you might be able to buy new ones. Check out the classics magazines and contact the owners club.

From memory some of these parts were made on the cheap in Sri-Lanka so could be relatively inexpensive.

[evolutionvalet]

Nick,

Is the pitting corrosion or tar spots?

Have you tried a clay bar on the chrome? This will remove any tar or other stuff thats on the surface.
If it has corroded, then I am afraid it will need rechroming or replacing.

I have successfully used Mother's chrome polish and removed marks on chrome but not pitting. Even Autosol has trouble with rust marks.

Sorry I cant give you anything more enlightening.

Kev

[XKRacer]

I would be very wary of repro bumpers, we buy in several types for MGs and the such like and the quality of the chrome is something to be desired. The main problem is they dont nickle plate the bumper first so the chrome doesnt have very good adhesion and within 6 months you have a nasty looking rusty bumper. If your original bumpers are good get them rechromed yes they will probably cost more than repro items but they will last a helluva lot longer!