Bought a 78 Ranger in Jan., 3rd owner, 138k miles, real good condition...looking for advice on how to clean the chrome trimwork (cloudy), and best place for factory replacement parts...right now the driver side windshield washer hose tee is held together by plumbers putty!
Thanks for any input.

 

I have used some chrome cleaner from NAPA that worked real well. I am pretty new to the forum but welcome! I looked thru here and a lot of people talked about different places so i ordered a LOT of free parts mags. I ordered LMC, JC WHITNEY, MAC'S, 1AAUTO, NPD they will have everything you need. Also look up a search and find the rest, The folks in here will help you in everything you need they are awesome!

 

I cant speak about refinishing the chrome. Others on here can im sure. But I usually find all my parts at either Dennis Carpenter, LMC, National Parts Depot, or Ebay. Now you said factory replacement parts, those can be harder to find than just replacement parts. A lot of times you can find NOS parts on Ebay or on here you can find original parts where someone is parting out a vehicle. There arent many of these trucks left in the junk yards around here anymore but might be where you live. My washer tee needed replaced too and I found it at LMC online.

 

The chrome is anodized so it's basically impossible to get cleaned without stipping the anodic coating. There are some anodized strippers out there....some have even used oven cleaners to strip the coating. Check with the Eastwood company for the stripper. Once stripped it would need to be buffed on a high speed buffing wheel and then a protective clear like sharkhide or zoops seal to keep the moulding from oxidizing. Good luck.

 

That windshield washer t broke on my truck too. I used No.7 Polishing compound on my chrome and it came out great.

 

Thanks for the info, guys!

 

I bought 3 from Auto Krafters. They are like...1.95 ea. They also have a nice selection of new or reproduction parts for the F-series trucks.

 

The chrome can be polished somewhat, cleaning deposits but will not last. It's anodized. Stripping, buffing, and resealing is the only way to get a good mirror type chrome finish back.