Now I've been around the Block once or twice, I've restored 4 cars, Built a street rod, and restored (3) 30's and 40's Harleys and indians.

I would have never dreamed of using Steel Wool on Chrome thinking it would leave fine scratch marks.

I was detailing my bike, took off the bags and was working on my rear rim, which hadn't been touched in almost 4 years, was black inbetween the spokes and appeared pitted.

I tried Chrome polish and rust remover and it didn't touch it.

I figured that the Chrome was about shot and figured I had nothing to loose so I'd at least remove the Black.

I took some Extra Fine 000 steel wool and rubbed out all the black and kept rubbing out the pitting until it felt smooth. Following up with a quick coat of polish.

In my amazement, it looked as if the Rim had been rechromed and looked brand new.

I thought the upper Exhaust pipes were pitted as well, Extremely rough to the touch and lightly pitted with tiiny specks of rust. I did the same treatment with the same results.

Like new Chrome.

Is it that easy to fix minor pitting and staining on Chrome and I've been missing the boat all along?

I would have thought for sure it would have scratched the finish.

Now I've been around the Block once or twice, I've restored 4 cars, Built a street rod, and restored (3) 30's and 40's Harleys and indians.

I would have never dreamed of using Steel Wool on Chrome thinking it would leave fine scratch marks.

I was detailing my bike, took off the bags and was working on my rear rim, which hadn't been touched in almost 4 years, was black inbetween the spokes and appeared pitted.

I tried Chrome polish and rust remover and it didn't touch it.

I figured that the Chrome was about shot and figured I had nothing to loose so I'd at least remove the Black.

I took some Extra Fine 000 steel wool and rubbed out all the black and kept rubbing out the pitting until it felt smooth. Following up with a quick coat of polish.

In my amazement, it looked as if the Rim had been rechromed and looked brand new.

I thought the upper Exhaust pipes were pitted as well, Extremely rough to the touch and lightly pitted with tiiny specks of rust. I did the same treatment with the same results.

Like new Chrome.

Is it that easy to fix minor pitting and staining on Chrome and I've been missing the boat all along?

I would have thought for sure it would have scratched the finish.
john it works on glass just as good . 000 steel wool:hurray:

I use SOS pads on chrome, and to clean windshields from any gunk that won't wash off easily. Don't know the rating of the SOS pads, but it's a mild steel wool.

Yup,i have also used SOS/Brillo pads with water for yrs to clean/brighten up chrome and metal trim but make sure that when the soap is mostly gone from pad to get a new one because the soap acts as a lubricant to stop it from scratching.

Scott

I've been too chicken to try steel wool, so instead I use brass wool (extra fine). You can find it at boat supply places...esp. those that sell re-finishing supplies. Works on chrome, glass, whatever.

I dont know about course steel wool but 000 steel wool is awesome, great on cast aluminum and chrome. Just takes some real elbow grease and time.:yes:

Like he said, make sure it has some lubricant ie:water with a little soap, glass cleaner, etc. I used to use it all the time when refinishing older bicycles with wheels that were surface rusted.

This also works on coated headers too.

Some OOO steel wool, some Mother's polish, some water....wakes your previously polished Aluminum wheels up.
Except for the ones on my Elky, either blasted dull or they came that way........some improvement each time....

Some OOO steel wool, some Mother's polish, some water....wakes your previously polished Aluminum wheels up.
Except for the ones on my Elky, either blasted dull or they came that way........some improvement each time....

George, the wheels on your Elky were machine finished not polished....:noway:
your kinda polishing them now.:yes: