Cleaning Chrome

Aug 15, 2011
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I'm in the process of working past some built up grime and some rust from various chrome parts on an older bike. I've used some of home remedies in getting started, but they just don't seem to be getting it done.
  • Soap, water and soft rag
  • Vinegar and a soft cloth
  • Aluminum foil with Coca-Cola or Vinegar
  • Lemon alone and then wash and dry
  • Toothpaste and toothbrush
What commercial products sold here in Thailand can any of you recommend to cut through the grime/small amounts of rust?

Appreciate the help. :thumbup:
 
Jun 15, 2011
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I thought I had the answer to your problem until I read " sold in Thailand '. I know Autoglym have an agent in Bangkok. Autoglym is a specialist company manufacturing polishing products for the automobile industry and are very good. When working on chrome, I use either Solvol Autosol, or even better, S100. Question is if you can source these products here in Thailand. I've seen Brasso for sale which will help -- I think in Friendship supermarket Pattaya. Solvol Autosol is OK., but you have to be a bit careful because it is slightly abrasive and will leave a blemish on your chromework if you use it to excess in the one spot ( done that on some Samson exhaust pipes which then had to be re-chromed ). The best product I have ever found is S100 Total Cycle Finish Restorer. It comes in a red tube and is non - abrasive so you can polish away to your hearts content without damaging your chrome. It's expensive but good ( as are all S100 products ). If you cannot source these products and have the time, maybe you can get someone to post some out to you. In the UK.., all H-D dealerships stock S100. It really does work well. Whilst on the subject of polishing, if you have any aluminium to sort out, see if you can get a tin of Peek polish. Expensive but the best I have ever used and can also be used on chrome. It's manufactured by TRI-PEEK INTERNATIONAL, Saffron Walden, Cambridgeshire UK. www.tripeek.com I've used this polish on my raw aluminium wheels on my H-D and it looks like they're chromed. I've recently brought the aluminium rims on my GB 400 TT back from death's door, much to the amazement of the Thai guys at the local custom bike shop ( but then, how many Thai guys REALLY clean their bikes ). Hope this post is of some use to you. Mick.
 
Aug 15, 2011
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Thanks, Mick! I'll see what I can drum up here in UTH. Every now and then I am surprised by what I may find.

Much obliged!
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Sep 19, 2006
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www.chiangmai-xcentre.com
Here in Chiang Mai I brought some Autosol Metal Polish and also got a Tube of Autosol Plastic Cleaner! The Metal Polish is great and I used to use it on My Cars back in NZ, great for Mag Wheels!!! Not sure where You are but definitely worth getting if You can find it? I brought mine from Nana Screws. You can get all the info on it here: http://autosol.com/ Good Luck.
 
Aug 15, 2011
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Ian Bungy;271541 wrote: Here in Chiang Mai I brought some Autosol Metal Polish and also got a Tube of Autosol Plastic Cleaner! The Metal Polish is great and I used to use it on My Cars back in NZ, great for Mag Wheels!!! Not sure where You are but definitely worth getting if You can find it? I brought mine from Nana Screws. You can get all the info on it here: http://autosol.com/ Good Luck.
Thanks, Ian! I'm in UTH. I'll try the usual places (Big C, Tesco, et al) and also check out two or three of the motorcycle/auto places in town.
 
Jul 25, 2010
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I use Wenol. Its in a red tube and comes from Germany and is essentially the same as Autosol, well at last as good. I was given it by the Britbike shop here in CNX but they told me that they buy it locally, as I recall from an auto care shop.
 
Aug 15, 2011
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ronwebb;271544 wrote: I use Wenol. Its in a red tube and comes from Germany and is essentially the same as Autosol, well at last as good. I was given it by the Britbike shop here in CNX but they told me that they buy it locally, as I recall from an auto care shop.
Appreciate that very much, ronwebb!

There are a couple of pretty big autocare shops here in UTH that look like they would keep some "imported" car-care cleaning materials. That's just one more that I will have an eagle-eye out for tomorrow on my adventure.

I appreciate the feedback and quick response!
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Aug 15, 2011
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All of the responses are greatly appreciated, guys!
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I'm hoping to find a good commercial product today. As usual, I will report back.
 

mikerust

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+1 for AutoSol. I could never find it in Thailand and then I found some at a hardware store. :D

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Can't find it?

Brasso is in 7/11 here in BKK.

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BRASSO® Multi-Purpose Metal Polish is a multi-purpose metal polish for a variety of metals including brass, copper, stainless steel, chrome, aluminum, pewter, and bronze, bringing luster to your home. Since 1905, BRASSO® has been used in households in Europe and the United States to polish and clean every day and special occasion items for a long-lasting, brilliant shine.
 
Aug 15, 2011
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Found Brasso yesterday at Big C, but I'm still shopping around. Most of the products I found in the automotive area were about cleaning tires, not chrome wheels.

I will look for the Autosol. Thanks!

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Since my original post, I have tried the vinegar with aluminum foil and the toothpaste with water and steel wool. Both processes knocked off the surface rust. I am now down to the black stained areas -- probably some pitting there, but I won't know for sure until I get a stronger commercial product to see whether it is hardened grime or pitting.

If pitting, I'll just get things re-chromed or powder coated.
 
Aug 15, 2011
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You guys would not believe ... well, maybe you would. I've been to nine different places in UTH looking for chrome cleaners. Not even the shops that sell tires and wheels have it, but man, they've got 80 million different kinds of leather cleaner and tire shine products.
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So far, Brasso is all that I've been able to find.

Spoke to one of my buddies in the US the other day, and he had a good result from soaking chrome parts in WD40 over four days (soak, clean, soak, clean, etc.). I'm going to start that process while continuing to look for a better commercial product.
 
Jun 15, 2011
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WD40 has hundreds of uses, all good I'd say... A friend of mine in the UK who had several H-D's and vintage bikes used to spray them all over with WD40 when he ' parked ' them up for winter. It did a really good job of protecting them, then just a quick wash in spring and they were ready for use -- and no rust.