Chrome

[Bobpipedream]

Hi all,

Sorry three posts now in space of three minutes!

I have a series 1.5 and the wheels and some of the chrome has spots and marking. Not very bad at all. Someone said to me the other day that chrome can be cleaned up, I am not convinced of this! Is there a cleaner that can clean up chrome rust spots?

I feel that some of the bits may need rechroming. The wheels are a no I understand, but is it effective to re chrome bumpers and small parts?

Anyone have some prices they were charged?

Thanks,

Bob

[Brendan]

Hi
If it is rusted would need replating, usualy things rust from inside unless banged or scratched. Plating costs vary depending if you have full wholes that need patching too.

But paint the inside with smooth hammerite afterwards too (bumpers etc.)

Brendan

[Dave K]

Bob,

I used a large chrome shop in Bristol, they do an excellent job but they are one of the most expensive around. They also repaired some of the parts before putting them through the chroming process.
For all the parts on my S1 it cost me ?3500.
Still interested I can find the details for you. Like someone says paint the inside with a decent paint, mine came back already painted.

Dave

[Bobpipedream]

Hi Dave,

I am interested. I do not need everything doing and have loosely budgeted ?1k for bumper corners and few other bits. I figure much more than that and may as well buy new as bumpers are about ?800 from SNG - I presume good quality?

Mine have not rusted from inside as inside is good, so small specs of rust may just be through exterior?

[vee12eman]

Hi,

For minor rust spots on Chrome, try Autosol - rust tends to "bleed" from minor imperfections and it is amazing what can be acheived, then use wax and occasional applications of Autosol to keep it that way - it may not be concours, but can be surprisingly good.

Wire wheels should not be re-chromed (although professional wheel builders sometimes re-chrome the centres and rims, plus replace the spokes - depends on the condition but only get this done by a reputable professional, it is normally cheaper to buy good new wheels). If you have the chromed Turbosteel disc wheels, which were fitted to some Series 2 and 3 cars (and therefore, just possibly your Series 1.5, although I doubt it), these can be re-chromed - the company is called Marque Restore (I think) and they also do other chromework too. My chrome was missing or beyond repair so I collected NOS chrome together - I can't speak for re-chrome quality.

Regards,

Simon

[Bobpipedream]

Thanks Simon,

I remember autosol now. Years ago I polished an alu swinging arm on a bike, good stuff.

I will try cleaning the chrome and see how it goes.