I was using some parts cleaner the other day and I noticed that I had over-sprayed some on the front end chrome and when I wiped it, it seemed that the chrome looked a hell of a lot better and cleaner....my question is, is this safe for the chrome finish?? For some reason, I would have to say it's not too safe but I need some professional advice....thanks-

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67 Mist Blue Malibu 283

Well, it depends. If it is chrome plated steel, such as the bumper, most things will not hurt. BUUUUUUUUUUUT, ACIDS, SUCH AS MURATIC (which is HCL-hydrochloric acid), supphuric, phosphoric, etc, will take the chrome off in a heartbeat. All of these acids are readily available. Such as Muratic, which is in ALL hardware/home improvement stores for cleaning your swimming pool, sulphuric is battery acid, etc. If the chrome is stainless steel trim, you are pretty safe with many types of cleaners. If it is anodized alum (all exterior bright trim that is made of alum is anodized), be more cautious with harsh cleaners. MOST bright metal cleaners/polishes that are in a can or bottle and have a thick creamy viscosity are ALMOST always safe for ANY bright metal trim. For serious cleaning of chrome plated steel parts, especially if there are some tiny pits which show a little (or a big) hint of rust, use fresh SOS steel wool pads (the soap in them helps clean and lubricate when you scrub). They do wonders for an old dingy bumper. When the soap is all gone from the SOS pad, throw it away and get a fresh one. You may have to shop around at the auto parts stores, but the creamy type chrome polish, which usually is OK for all bright metals, is an excellent cleaner/polish for most metals (CANNOT be used on chrome plated plastic parts!). My personal preference is for a product that was originally made by Dupont, called Dupont No.7. It is now owned by Rain Dance and just called No.7. The can still looks like the old Dupont can, but it is hard to find. I think I got my last can from my NAPA store. It is an excellent cleaner for chrome, especially when it has road scum, tar or bugs on it. Many people are not aware of it, but bright metal parts also need to be protected with some kind of wax/polish. ESPECIALLY chrome plated parts such as bumpers because when the chrome finish is penetrated down to the base metal, it will start to rust. UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUgly!

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Tom Parsons

Thanks for the info Tom!