How To Care for Chrome Accessories
THE CHROME-PLATING PROCESS
The chrome--plating process typically, but not in all cases, consists of three layers:
- Copper underlay - a filler.
- Nickel - for the mirror color.
- Hard chrome - a clear metal that gives the depth and luster.
The final chrome layer is microns thin but extremely hard. Deterioration takes place by acidic attack from exhaust fumes and industrial output from factories, chemical plants and oil refineries. The main agents of deterioration are nitric and sulfuric acid formations that attack the chrome layer, exposing the nickel, which corrodes quickly, and then on to the copper layer which reacts swiftly to pit and ruins the metal surface of the accessory.
The use of most commonly available chrome cleaners leads to permanent abrasions, scratching, clouding and discoloration of the surface of the part that gets worse with vigorous polishing that people like to do to attempt to restore the original shine! Rust rashes begin to appear especially around welds that people like to cleanup and brighten as these areas are never usually perfectly polished at the accessory maker.
Most cleaners available usually contain an abrasive grit - usually finely ground talc that is simply powdered rock - to give the effect of a quick cleanup. In other words, most cleaners then become a grinding compound and the innocent rider is simply slowly grinding the chrome layer off the nickel exposing it to the air where it quickly corrodes - tiny scratch by tiny scratch. In many cases, people rub down to the copper as a yellowish hue begins to appear leading the rider to think he got bad or thin chrome!
CLEANING CHROME-PLATED METAL ACCESSORIES
New chrome-plated accessories should always be cleaned with plain soap and water, a clear water rinse, and wiped only with a clean 100% cotton terry cloth towel. You can then apply a coating of nonabrasive polish that protects the surface.
If you have sticky or hard material to clean off the surface, the pros have told us Windex does the trick to clean up and does not attack the chrome.
For all chrome, plastic and painted surfaces, NEVER use paper towels, paper-based wipes, cellulose or plastic sponges as well as fake chamois cloths as they are highly abrasive!
CLEANING CHROME-PLATED PLASTIC ACCESSORIES
Clean only with soap and water, clear water rinse and 100% cotton terry cloth wipe. Use only Mequiars plastic cleaners and polishes when you must. Mequiars products are the only chemical products that we know are made specifically for the purpose intended. Mequiars products are dominant in the aircraft maintenance industry and can be readily seen at most maintenance hangars.
DO NOT use Windex, RainEx or any of the highly touted plastic cleaners or restorers. They will usually destroy your finish and blister the plastic as well as discolor the chrome.
For all chrome, plastic and painted surfaces, NEVER use paper towels, paper-based wipes, cellulose or plastic sponges as well as fake chamois cloths as they are highly abrasive!
© Saber Cycle®
<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy">
About the Author
Eugene Bileski represents over 46 years in the motorcycle trade as a past importer of Bridgestone, Ducati, Marusho, Norton and Yamaha motorcycles and is founder of Saber Cycle Honda Gold Wing Parts and Accessories at http://www.saber-cycle.com
Some Of The Hottest Car Lighting:
Heavy Metal Punk Rock Chrome Plated Bullet Belt 4505, NFL PITTSBURGH STEELERS 2010 AFC CHAMPIONS LICENSE PLATE FRAME CHROME METAL, USS NITRO AE 23 License Plate Frame U S Navy USN Military, USS MAUNA KEA AE 22 License Plate Frame U S Navy USN Military, TWO 2 West Virginia Mountaineers NCAA Chrome Metal Car License Plate Frames, TWO 2 Indiana Hoosiers NCAA Chrome Metal Car License Plate Frames Tag Holders, TWO 2 Kansas State Wildcats NCAA Laser Cut Chrome Metal License Plate Frames, TWO 2 Minnesota Twins MLB Laser Cut Chrome Metal License Plate Frames Holders, TWO 2 Cincinnati Bengals NFL Chrome Metal Car License Plate Frames Tag Holders, TWO 2 Houston Astros MLB Chrome Metal Car License Plate Frames Tag Holders, TWO 2 Maryland Terrapins Chrome Metal Car License Plate Frames Tag Holders, TWO 2 Oregon State Beavers Chrome Metal Car License Plate Frames Tag Holders, TWO 2 Atlanta Thrashers NHL Chrome Metal Car License Plate Frames Tag Holders, TWO 2 Cleveland Browns NFL Laser Cut Chrome Metal License Plate Frames Holders, TWO 2 Atlanta Braves MLB Laser Cut Chrome Metal License Plate Frames Holders, TWO 2 Kansas City Royals Laser Cut Chrome Metal License Plate Frames Holders, TWO 2 Iowa State Cyclones Chrome Metal Car License Plate Frames Tag Holders, TWO 2 Dallas Mavericks NBA Laser Cut Chrome Metal License Plate Frames Holders, TWO 2 Virginia Cavaliers Chrome Metal Car License Plate Frames Tag Holders, TWO 2 Carolina Panthers Laser Cut Chrome Metal License Plate Frames Holders, TWO 2 Atlanta Falcons NFL Chrome Metal Car License Plate Frames Tag Holders, TWO 2 Atlanta Falcons NFL Laser Cut Chrome Metal License Plate Frames Holders, TWO 2 Seattle Mariners MLB Chrome Metal Car License Plate Frames Tag Holders, TWO 2 Houston Astros MLB Laser Cut Chrome Metal License Plate Frames Holders, TWO 2 Denver Nuggets NBA Chrome Metal Car License Plate Frames Tag Holders, TWO 2 Minnesota Twins MLB Chrome Metal Car License Plate Frames Tag Holders, TWO 2 San Diego Padres MLB Chrome Metal Car License Plate Frames Tag Holders, TWO 2 Auburn Tigers Laser Cut Chrome Metal License Plate Frame Tag Holders, TWO 2 Tennessee Titans NFL Laser Cut Chrome Metal License Plate Frames Holders, TWO 2 Arizona Cardinals Laser Cut Chrome Metal License Plate Frames Holders, MitsubishiOUTLANDERChrome Metal License Plate Frame 1, Panel Box Chrome Plated Metal Button Flip Plane Lock, Iowa Hawkeyes NCAA Laser Cut Chrome Metal License Plate Frame Tag Holder, Cleveland Browns NFL Laser Cut Chrome Metal License Plate Frame Tag Holder, Houston Astros MLB Laser Cut Chrome Metal License Plate Frame Tag Holder, USS SURIBACHI AE 21 License Plate Frame U S Navy USN Military, USS SHENANDOAH AD 44 License Plate Frame U S Navy USN Military, NOS VINTAGE 1971 FORD MUSTANG METAL CHROME LICENSE PLATE FRAME NEW OBSOLETE QUAL, USS CAPE COD AD 43 License Plate Frame U S Navy USN Military, Toyota 4RUNNER Chrome Metal License Plate Frame, SMART PLAIN CHROME METAL LICENSE PLATE FRAME, CHRYSLER PLAIN CHROME METAL LICENSE PLATE FRAME, USS ACADIA AD 42 License Plate Frame U S Navy USN Military, USS YELLOWSTONE AD 41 License Plate Frame U S Navy USN Military, Crystal Rhinestone Bling Chrome Metal License Plate Frame for VOLVO, Crystal Rhinestone Bling Chrome Metal License Plate Frame for VOLKSWAGEN VW, Crystal Rhinestone Bling Chrome Metal License Plate Frame for TOYOTA, Crystal Rhinestone Bling Chrome Metal License Plate Frame for SUZUKI, Crystal Rhinestone Bling Chrome Metal License Plate Frame for SUBARU, Crystal Rhinestone Bling Chrome Metal License Plate Frame for SMART, Crystal Rhinestone Bling Chrome Metal License Plate Frame for SCION, Crystal Rhinestone Bling Chrome Metal License Plate Frame for SATURN, Crystal Rhinestone Bling Chrome Metal License Plate Frame for SAAB, Crystal Rhinestone Bling Chrome Metal License Plate Frame for PORSCHE, Crystal Rhinestone Bling Chrome Metal License Plate Frame for PONTIAC, Crystal Rhinestone Bling Chrome Metal License Plate Frame for OLDSMOBILE, Crystal Rhinestone Bling Chrome Metal License Plate Frame for NISSAN, Crystal Rhinestone Bling Chrome Metal License Plate Frame for MITSUBISHI, Crystal Rhinestone Bling Chrome Metal License Plate Frame for MINI COOPER, Crystal Rhinestone Bling Chrome Metal License Plate Frame for MERCURY,
