7 replies to this topic

[MinipixMatthew]

So, I've got my Mini tastefully adorned with chrome bits, but they seem to be rusting. Is that supposed to happen? I've attached a couple of pics of what I mean, they've come up all white and corroded and it won't come off. What's bizarre is that not all the chrome on the car has gone like it, some is absolutely fine. The rear bumper is as old as the car and hasn't really shown any sign of rusting, and that's definitely chrome and not stainless steel! The GB badge is the worst, which is frustrating because I only put it on there last summer. The number plate light housing is also coming up with white spots, though that's a few years old now. I'm just confused as to what the difference is and what might cause one bit of chrome to rust and not others? And is it really rust? And is there anything I can do about it?

 DSCF2529.JPG   221.48K   4 downloads
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-M-

[biggav]

chrome needs protecting!!! if there is rust it means that the chrome layer has been compromised and alowed water to corrode the metal underneath.... Some of the tat on ebay and on the cheaper stalls at mini shows will only last upto 6 months and is a total waste of money!!!!!

Go to a motorbike shop and get some belgom alu (typo??) which polishes chrome and leaves a covering on the chrome to stop water marks.

[Mini Man Dan]

I think it is down to poor quality of chrome.I had an aston cap style thing on my mini but the chrome on it was "pitted" so i took it off.

You can use somthing called autosol i think which is an abrasive and is used to polish chrome

Feel free to correct me if i am wrong

EDIT: Biggav beat me to it!

Edited by Mini Man Dan, 24 April 2007 - 04:01 PM.

[Minwah]

Modern chrome is total poo. As Gav says the best you can do is try to protect it. Polish all the chrome and personally I fill the insides of any chrome bits I can with waxoyl - normally chrome bits rust from the inside out.

[cap'n crunch]

yep autosol is goooooood stuff

[Dan]

Or Auto Glym chrome polish.

It's not simply that modern chrome is poo. It's because it's cheap chrome. Like more or less everything from Huddersfield Spares or Midland Wheels. You get what you pay for. It is still possible to get hold of properly chromed parts.

[koss]

So, I've got my Mini tastefully adorned with chrome bits, but they seem to be rusting. Is that supposed to happen? I've attached a couple of pics of what I mean, they've come up all white and corroded and it won't come off. What's bizarre is that not all the chrome on the car has gone like it, some is absolutely fine. The rear bumper is as old as the car and hasn't really shown any sign of rusting, and that's definitely chrome and not stainless steel! The GB badge is the worst, which is frustrating because I only put it on there last summer. The number plate light housing is also coming up with white spots, though that's a few years old now. I'm just confused as to what the difference is and what might cause one bit of chrome to rust and not others? And is it really rust? And is there anything I can do about it?

 DSCF2529.JPG   221.48K   4 downloads
 DSCF2530.JPG   248.77K   3 downloads

-M-

Rust is usually orange! looking at your picks you have white corrosion aluminium oxide.
Chromium adheres to steel quite well hence your bumper is ok (unless its stainless steel)
You cannot chrome plate aluminium to be honest it a trick process same as chrome plating none conductive plastics.
It wont last on aluminium. The best method on aluminium is polish it on a buffing wheel initially, then keep polishing it
by hand every couple of weeks to keep it tiptop. Same method is used by millions of bikers.
Chrome quality is more down to the prep and the amount of microns/depth applied.
I have just had some bumpers plated for a Jensen interceptor. They have been done with trichrome or triple chrome.
First layer is copper then nickel followed by a thick layer of hard chrome.

[Minwah]

It's not simply that modern chrome is poo. It's because it's cheap chrome. Like more or less everything from Huddersfield Spares or Midland Wheels. You get what you pay for. It is still possible to get hold of properly chromed parts.

I would argue that it's difficult to get certain parts in decent chrome. Unless you want to pay and have it chromed properly...

Also, even 'genuine' chrome parts are often useless. I once bought a headlamp rim from a Rover dealer (not cheap) and it was rusty in under 6 months. (I realise genuine doesn't neccessarily mean good!)

I think I'm right in saying many old parts were chromed brass which seems to be much better than steel. Plus in the old days they were less sparing on the chrome. That's progress for ya!