Cleaning the 'Chrome' on a 500...Help

[lloydy313]

Hi,
My partner has just taken delivery of her new 500, all is well except for much of the 'chrome' bodywork (i.e. door handles, bumpers) are marked with small dots and darker circles and doesnt seem to be coming off.

Just wondering if anyone has had any experience of this issue and looking for some suggestions as to how to get them clean.

Thanks

 

[maddogmorg]

i've used Brasso on my MGB, and more relevantly my friends rover 25 had pitted/stained "chrome" and we tried Brasso on it, worked a treat!

make sure you test on a small not very noticeable area first to see if it just cleans/polishes, and doesn't do any damage or stains which is unlikely but better to be on the safe side before coating a large noticeable area.

 

[eki]

I personally wouldn't use brasso since i believe the chrome parts on the 500 are just chrome plated and are most likely plastic underneath. Whilst brasso is good for metals, i believe it will just slowly scrape away the chrome finish.

Now, before i go on here, i must express that i've only heard this, and am unsure whether or not its the most suitable thing to do. But here are your options:

1) Take it back to the dealer. Since the car is brand new it shouldn't have any spots whatsoever. Could be a manufacturing defect for all you know and the dealer will have to deal with it. The sooner you do it, the better.

2) Use a glass cleaning product. I've heard from another person that a specialist in chrome plating recommends this when a chrome finish is applied to plastics. I.e. Windex. Someone will need to clarify this.

 

[Jake_in_notts]

Ive used toothpaste to take small scratchs out of sun glasses before - its a very gently abrasive but doesnt scratch enough to see - smokers version is a little too course IMO!

but tbh EKI is correct - this is a new car and it shouldnt be defective .. let your dealer use Brasso on it !

 

[Lloyd71]

I've moved this thread here as you'll get more replies and more help in this section.

Have you tried claying the chrome at all? It might be worth picking up a mild clay bar and a lubricant and giving that a go. Make sure you use clean clay and turn it often, and don't apply too much pressure.

It's difficult to recommend a 'treatment' without knowing what the defects are/what is causing them.

 

[lloydy313]

As of yet I have't tried cleaning it with any substance as I was unsure as to whether it would affect the plating. I will return the car back to the garage this week to see what they suggest. It's a bit of a minuscule problem, but I'll see what they have to say