Polishing Chrome

[dons733]

Trying to remove light scratches from chrome parts with no luck. I've got the chrome polishing kit, done the manual, tech support, however, no success. If anything I'm creating more swirl marks!

Parts are fairly new, some recently re-chrome but have light scratch/swirl marks which appear as a blue haze in certain light conditions. Can I and if so how can I bring out a beautiful mirror finish that resembles new chrome?

[jrow]

dons733,

Are these automotive chrome strips or other? What have you tried to use to polish the chrome parts? What is the base metal that the chrome is on. Are you trying to hand polish or machine polish?

John

[dons733]

Parts are from a Harley, base metal I assume is steel. I'm using a machine at 3,000 rpm with white bar followed by the blue and then "Blue Begone" polishing liquid. Tried both spiral and loose wheels. Changing wheels with each compound and washing the part before applying next compound and wheel. Only thing I think left to try is more speed and pressure

[jrow]

dons733,

Cleaning: Should be accomplished with either acetone or brake cleaner. After that wash in Dawn dish washing liquid and water. How often do you rake your buffs? To apply the compound just barely touch it to the wheel. The "Blue Haze" you mentioned might be that you are getting the metal to hot and it's burning. Do the swirl marks change direction when you change the angle of the metal, with the light reflecting off it?
There is a "sweet spot" when the metal is at the right temperature and the polish is doing its thing, then you will get the shine that you want. Hard to explain but you will know it when you get there.
Try cleaning and washing your metal, I prefer acetone. Rake your loose buff and apply a little white compound and buff. It's going to take some time and patience with the loose buff and the white compound because it doesn't cut that fast. See what that does. For a final hand polish try the Blue Begone, some Mothers Mag wheel polish or Simichrome.
You didn't say what mechanical means you are using to polish your chrome?
You can test the type metal you have with magnet.

John

[dons733]

John,

Thanx for your last! I will give your suggestions a go. As some parts are still mounted on the bike I am using a hi-speed hand drill, however, since this appears to require more finese I will dismantle and start using a bench polisher.

The swirl marks which appear as a blue haze are only visible at certain angles to light, otherwise the chrome looks almost mirror at most other angles.

Don

[jrow]

Don,

Cool, let us know how you make out!

John