Teach a newb how to polish chrome

[JubJub]

I have a diving board bumpers. They look like shit. They are clouded and it feels like a decent amount of buildup has accumulated on its surface. I once read that someone use a brillo pad but that sounds incredibly dangerous (wouldn't it leave micro scratches?)

Does anyone have advice on chemicals or techniques to use to remove any contamination on the surface and make them look new again?

Thanks guys.

[A_Whelan]

I found this good website that should have something on it, www.google.com. Typed in "how to polish chrome" and 17.5 million pages came back.

But in all seriousness look up some pages first, something like this, http://www.howtocleanthings.com/how-to-clean-chrome.htm read about it, come back with some info and specific questions.

[bmwstephen]

the diving boards aren't actual chrome though, its anodized aluminum

[dreamer420]

^ correct, not chrome plated. the bumpers and trim around the windows is aluminum, and its coated so its pretty hard to polish them. but it is possible.

[BoxDriver86]

the diving boards aren't actual chrome though, its anodized aluminum

Correct. Mother's All Metal Polish is a great option but if they are that far gone, here's a good process...
1. Remove them from the car, take off the trim and wash them well using one bucket of soapy water (not dish soap) and one clean bucket of water making sure not to put the dirty wash mit back into the clean soapy water.
2. Hit them with some wax and grease remover (available at any auto parts store in the paint section).
3. Use a fine grit rubbing compound like Meguiar's power cleaner. Be sure to buff heavily or use an orbital buffer to ease the process. Wipe with a clean microfiber towel.
4. Use a medium grit compound like Meguiar's Diamond Cut 2.0. Wipe with another clean microfiber towel.
5. Use a polish like Meguiar's Ulitmate Polish. Wipe clean with yet another microfiber towel.
6. Use Mother's All Metal and buff clean.

That's how I did my DBs back in the day and they came out great. PM me if you need any help along the way and good luck.

[JubJub]

This is the kind of insight on our specific DBs that I was looking for. Thank you!

Correct. Mother's All Metal Polish is a great option but if they are that far gone, here's a good process...
1. Remove them from the car, take off the trim and wash them well using one bucket of soapy water (not dish soap) and one clean bucket of water making sure not to put the dirty wash mit back into the clean soapy water.
2. Hit them with some wax and grease remover (available at any auto parts store in the paint section).
3. Use a fine grit rubbing compound like Meguiar's power cleaner. Be sure to buff heavily or use an orbital buffer to ease the process. Wipe with a clean microfiber towel.
4. Use a medium grit compound like Meguiar's Diamond Cut 2.0. Wipe with another clean microfiber towel.
5. Use a polish like Meguiar's Ulitmate Polish. Wipe clean with yet another microfiber towel.
6. Use Mother's All Metal and buff clean.

That's how I did my DBs back in the day and they came out great. PM me if you need any help along the way and good luck.

[mrsleeve]

You have to strip the clear coat off them before you can polish them.

[MAXELHOFF]

Vaseline, I'm sure you have some.

Just rub Vaseline on the all the aluminum trim and bumpers with a rag. It works for a month or so, unbelievable results.

[LJ851]

^ +1 Anodized aluminum is impervious to polishing by any means. Vasoline is good, WD40 is less good but ok. If you want different results after that you must remove the anodizing and then you can manipulate the raw aluminum any way your twisted heart desires. have fun and take pictures.



MAXELHOFF vaselines every day, have you seen his bumpers?

[MAXELHOFF]

Daily!

[bmwstephen]

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=599676

[Kershaw]

with the amount of polishing and vaseline in this thread, i think the title should read: "Teach a newb how to polish dome."