Protecting chrome

Hi

Got some new bumpers on order, they are the top quality versions but I still want to protect the chrome from potential rust. I'm interested to hear what products people use to protect their chrome from the elements?

Cheers

vorsprungdurchtechnique wrote:Hi

Got some new bumpers on order, they are the top quality versions but I still want to protect the chrome from potential rust. I'm interested to hear what products people use to protect their chrome from the elements?

Cheers

I have a brazillian rear bumper on My beetle and its been on there since 2006....
I wax it every week or two with Meguiar's canubra wax..
but any Good quality wax will do it..

I can see now its just waiting for Me to forget to wax it..😂
as the chrome plating is very thin...

I will have to invest in a "proper" bumper..

LEE

Lee!
looking at your engine... I'm surprised you didn't suggest to paint it.

just plain straight wax, not the kind that has cutting compound in it.

I think Lee is a good example for mint bumpers.

I recently bought a pair of secondhand brazilian bars and the wax seems to do the trick when I remember to use it.
The insides are a bit ugly, though.
I will probably use POR15 to tidy them up.

Chrome need not be "coated", it should be in contact with oxygen in the air to prevent corrosion... So don't try too hard to "protect" it from the air!
Chrome does not "rust", but it may form oxides, which can protect it from rapid attack, like Al. (Iron rusts).
Chrome IS the rust-protection (for the steel). Keep it clean ...

It's not the chrome that is the issue with these (crappy) bumpers, but the gaps in the chrome which allow the water to rust the metal underneath.
If they do rust, autosol usually cleans 'em up real quick.

I have been unable to find an authoritative reference for the behaviour of chrome platings in protecting steel (wrt water and air), so if anyone has a good one I'd like to see it...

I use Gibbs Penetrating Oil, all metals LOVE it. A few dollars but worth every cent.

http://www.gibbsbrandaustralia.com/

Looking for new bumpers for the wifes '70 beetle like the triple plated ones sold by Wassim @ Vollks and definately looking to POR15 or KBS rust bullet the back of the bumpers too as the back of the bumpers seem to get a hiding..

Lucky Phil wrote:It's not the chrome that is the issue with these (crappy) bumpers, but the gaps in the chrome which allow the water to rust the metal underneath.
If they do rust, autosol usually cleans 'em up real quick.

Yes,
the chrome just peels off on Brazillian bumpers...

if not coated with something... [very fast]


LEE