Is chrome polishing ultimately detrimental?

[Ghoste]

Its a very fine abrasive correct?  I realize its removing a small layer of oxidation but is it not alos taking a layer of non oxidized plating?

[bill440rt]

It really depends on the polish. Some are not abrasive at all and use a chemical reaction more than an abrasive to clean.
I was told by a plater that specialized in show chrome NEVER to use an abrasive on chrome. It could put in scratches or swirls that you can never remove.

[471_Magnum]

Actual layer of chrome is VERY thin (on a properly plated part anyway)... like 1-2 ten thousandth of a mm. When you are looking at a "chrome plated" part, what you actually see is the nickel layer beneath the chrome. Chrome actually has a bit of a yellow tint, but is transparent at the thickness it is deposited. It is what provides the corrosion resistance. It's actually a bit more complicated, but that's the easiest explanation I can give.

Anyway, there are several different modes of failure when a chrome parts starts to oxidize or corrode. If the corrosion is actually below the chrome layer, it's time to re-plate.

You really just want to clean the surface, not polish (which wears down the chrome). An ULTRA fine abrasive can be utilized. Something like you'd use for your final paint buffing. If it takes more than that to clean the surface, your end result is going to yield more harm than good. You're either going to scratch the chrome, or cut through to the nickel.

[Ghoste]

So as an engineer with some experience in the field, how do you clean you rbrightwork?

[404NOTFOUND]

While we're here, my bumpers are new, perfect chrome. The rear bumper regularly turns blue from exhaust from the tailpipes. Detailer spray will clean it but, it takes a lot of rubbing. I know there must be something that wipes it right off fast. Any ideas?

[bill440rt]

On freshly plated bumpers or "show" chrome, I use plain carnuaba wax. Zero abrasives. 3M Show Car Wax or Griot's Carnuaba is good stuff.
Detailers will remove the blue staining, or have you tried regular glass cleaner with a cotton cloth?

For underhood chrome such as valve covers, air cleaner lids, etc, I've used Malco Flash Wax:
http://www.flashwax.com/polishwax.html
It is by far the easiest wax I've ever used. Literally wipes off in one pass. I use it anywhere I need a "quick" wax: door jambs, underhood/trunk lid, etc. Also works well on chrome & stainless. Extremely mild with abrasive.
I also use Griot's Chrome Polish, however I don't see it available on their website. Works VERY well, & has very very little abrasive.

For stainless polishing by hand, Simi-Chrome polish works very well.
http://www.amazon.com/Simichrome-Polish-50-Gram-1-76/dp/B000BGOC0W

Griot's Metal Polish is very similar & gives good results on stainless & other metals.

[471_Magnum]

Cleaner waxes work very well for removing surface contaminates. Bill sums it up pretty well.