Chrome rusting?
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 283
Likes: 1
From: San Diego
Chrome rusting?
Why do all the chrome parts I get for my truck end up getting a surface rust on them with in 4 months? Nose badge, mirrors (arm and backing), fog light housing, tailgate chains, ect.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 230
Likes: 5
From: Northern Virginia
Probably thin chrome plating. If the plating is thin, micro-cracks form, moisture can get in and the underlying metal rusts. That goes up through and expands the cracks to appear as surface rust on the chrome. Keeping a good chrome polish on all parts helps.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 283
Likes: 1
From: San Diego
I've been thinking about painting them black considering those parts are the only chrome on the entire truck. But painting is a last resort. As for a good polish what do you recommend?
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,093
Likes: 652
From: Brentwood, TN
Are these new parts or used parts? The nose badge/emblem is pot metal and may pit after a few decades but it should never rust. Even if you are down at the beach in the salt air you shouldn't be seeing rust on anything but old OEM parts.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,696
Likes: 1
From: S.W. Florida
Try vigorous application of 0000 steel wool with some chrome polish poured on it. Works like nothing else.
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
Made in China repop parts are chromed over bare steel and the chrome is very thin. Gotta keep wax on it, otherwise...
Genuine Ford original parts (excepting "Korean War" chrome): Copper plated first, then chrome plated.
The more coats of copper, the more durable the chrome finish.
1951/52 and early 1953 "Korean War" chrome: Chrome and copper were in short supply, so the automakers were forced to nickel plate onto bare steel, then spray clear lacquer onto the nickel to protect its finish.
It wasn't too long before the lacquer turned brown, flaked off, then pitting began. This is why decent used (and in some cases NOS) chrome trim, grilles and etc from this time frame is hard to find without pits.
Genuine Ford original parts (excepting "Korean War" chrome): Copper plated first, then chrome plated.
The more coats of copper, the more durable the chrome finish.
1951/52 and early 1953 "Korean War" chrome: Chrome and copper were in short supply, so the automakers were forced to nickel plate onto bare steel, then spray clear lacquer onto the nickel to protect its finish.
It wasn't too long before the lacquer turned brown, flaked off, then pitting began. This is why decent used (and in some cases NOS) chrome trim, grilles and etc from this time frame is hard to find without pits.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,093
Likes: 652
From: Brentwood, TN
Send Sy an email (sy@midfifty.com) and let her know about this situation. She does not tolerate poor quality from her vendors and will take action. There is also a product made by POR-15 called GlistenPC that is a two-part catalyzed clear coat that is made specifically for smooth/polished metal, you may want to give it a try after you have polished off the rust.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,283
Likes: 1,046
From: NM
Polish too much and you won't have any chrome! I've got some motorcycle parts Hecho en China that are just as you and ND describe, it's pretty futile. If you get the rust completely off, you're looking at the underlying steel. I had a sidestand that the chrome peeled off in a sheet, the underlying steel was never even cleaned from what I could see.
See A Man About A Horse
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,898
Likes: 653
From: Mariposa, Ca.
Not sure if you're buying bumpers,or what,but LMC's catalog does offer what they say is a higher quality chrome bumper for a few more dollars,my front bumper is doing O.K. here in the rain forest.I do take pains to keep it waxed.I kept my stock front one for re-chroming at some point.
I've found it best to try and locate,if possible,NOS parts.Often, they are only a bit more expensive than the Chinese stuff,and it's money well spent.
I've found it best to try and locate,if possible,NOS parts.Often, they are only a bit more expensive than the Chinese stuff,and it's money well spent.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,696
Likes: 1
From: S.W. Florida
Physically pour the chrome polish onto the steel wool b4 rubbing.