Chrome polish product recommendation

Gary Knox

Gary Knox

E9 Member Emeritus
Site Donor $$
Messages
1,821
Reaction score
746
Location
West Chester, Pennsylvania
I don't usually recommend products unless I am nearly overwhelmed by their performance. That IS the case regarding a new cleaner/polish for Chrome, Aluminum and possibly other metals that I began using this winter.

Product name is "Killer Chrome", produced by Surf City Garage. I've used at least a dozen different chrome, stainless, aluminum polishes over the past 65+ years that I've been maintaining cars, but I've never had one that gave the sparkling results with very little 'elbow grease' by the user like this one does. It gives a new luster to anodized Aluminum, it produces a bright polish on raw Aluminum, and it gave a mirror finish on the - at least 30+ year old - chrome plated pre-'73 model bumpers on my '74. It is not cheap, but it requires very little on a piece of microfiber to do a bumper segment. I must warn you that it has very low viscosity, so will 'squirt' out of the small hole in the cap if you aren't careful (and all of you bright e9 owners will understand HOW I know that!).

I bought mine from Amazon, as I've never seen it in any of my local supply stores. Link for those interested is: https://www.amazon.com/Surf-City-Ga...Chrome+polish&qid=1559505475&s=gateway&sr=8-3

No relationship or connection other than a very satisfied user. And, I can't comment on it's durability over time/climatic conditions, as the car has been in the garage all but about 2 hours since I used this product on the Chrome and Aluminum.

Gary
 
Last edited:
Gary Knox said:
I don't usually recommend products unless I am nearly overwhelmed by their performance. That IS the case regarding a new cleaner/polish for Chrome, Aluminum and possibly other metals that I began using this winter.

Product name is "Killer Chrome", produced by Surf City Garage. I've used at least a dozen different chrome, stainless, aluminum polishes over the past 65+ years that I've been maintaining cars, but I've never had one that gave the sparkling results with very little 'elbow grease' by the user like this one does. It gives a new luster to anodized Aluminum, it produces a bright polish on raw Aluminum, and it gave a mirror finish on the - at least 30+ year old - chrome plated pre-'73 model bumpers on my '74. It is not cheap, but it requires very little on a piece of microfiber to do a bumper segment. I must warn you that it has very low viscosity, so will 'squirt' out of the small hole in the cap if you aren't careful (and all of you bright e9 owners will understand HOW I know that!).

I bought mine from Amazon, as I've never seen it in any of my local supply stores. Link for those interested is: https://www.amazon.com/Surf-City-Ga...Chrome+polish&qid=1559505475&s=gateway&sr=8-3

No relationship or connection other than a very satisfied user. And, I can't comment on it's durability over time/climatic conditions, as the car has been in the garage all but about 2 hours since I used this product on the Chrome and Aluminum.

Gary
Click to expand...

Gary,

I have to say that QUICK-GLO is also a really really good chrome cleaner and rust remover. I have taken extremely rusty tools, mirrors, and all types of chrome to an almost new finish. It also leaves a waxy feel that super smooth. Try this with a 0000 steel wool on extremely rusted chrome and look out. I have to give credit to @Markos for turning me on this incredible product.

8e66056b-fe8f-4206-9d8e-bfc88cb38929_1.148cd8f9c69de330cb5a842a2b5225d1.jpeg
 
I too am a fan of Quick-Glo; old school stuff made in America. That waxy feel is actually wax, which gets into the pores of the metal, rejects water, and helps prevent rust in the future. I use brass wool rather than steel wool; steel wool can leave small deposits in those same pores, which then attracts rust.

Nonetheless, I may give Gary's recommendation a try. If it works well on aluminum, I would be a happy camper.
 
IMG_3041.jpg


I have tried several different products to remove the specks visible as light dots and scratches in the photo (actually black specks) which have not worked. Do you think either of these products would work? Thanks...BOB
 
Last edited:
I was just looking to polish my kidney grills, so this thread is very timely. Being uk based I doubt I can source either of these products. I was going to try brasso!!

Is the kidney grill polished aluminium, or is it chromed?

Thanks
Drew
 
Drew,
They are originally anodized. Although some have had them polished and clear/ ceramic coated and or chromed. If the grill is pitted which is very likely, polish won’t produce the right results
 
Drew20 said:
I was just looking to polish my kidney grills, so this thread is very timely. Being uk based I doubt I can source either of these products. I was going to try brasso!!

Is the kidney grill polished aluminium, or is it chromed?

Thanks
Drew
Click to expand...
Quick glo is available on Amazon on the UK!
 
Hi Simon, that's globalisation for you!!

Cheers Keshav, I've attached some photos to show the general pitting on the silver and black areas, and a couple of dings I'd like to improve on. Obviously they're never going to be concours, but any tips to improve the blingyness is appreciated. They don't look to have been previously polished/ clear coated. I would estimate the finish is original
IMG_0762.JPG
IMG_0763.JPG
IMG_0764.JPG
IMG_0765.JPG
d
 
Drew20 said:
Hi Simon, that's globalisation for you!!

Cheers Keshav, I've attached some photos to show the general pitting on the silver and black areas, and a couple of dings I'd like to improve on. Obviously they're never going to be concours, but any tips to improve the blingyness is appreciated. They don't look to have been previously polished/ clear coated. I would estimate the finish is original
Click to expand...

Drew, I think the only way to improve that grille is to remove the anodizing by sanding or chemically.
Then sand out the smaller pits and try to repair the small dings. Then polish and wax/ceramic coating/chroming.
The slats are removable, which makes it easier to work on the surrounding grill. But by the time you're finished with the grill, you'll want to refinish the slats as well (black anodized) :D
 
Cheers Gransin, I'll look into this next week, hopefully I can find a local anodiser shop who camps take this on

Game on!
 
Drew,

I am nearly finished de-anodizing and polishing my windshield trim. It looked terrible, now it is nearly as shiny as the chrome rain gutter beside it, and the front quarter window trim. IF interested, I'll forward you a write-up on what I did, along with pictures of the process. Send me your direct email via a 'Conversation' please and I'll respond within a few days when I have the write-up finished. Progressively, I used oven cleaner, 600, 800, 1500, 2000 grit wet sandpaper then Killer Chrome Polish.

Gary--

PS: I"m attaching one picture of the Al trim. Compare the trim to the chrome drip rail. .
CS Aluminum Trim polishing 007.JPG
 
Last edited:
we, close to the french border, know of herdblank+glanzol a miraculous combination of two products, a deoxidizer and a polishing paste

they work reasonably well and all french specialists are mega happy with it

...in my opinion they should apply the motto “miracles at Lourdes” when pitting or rust is there, you will make only cosmetic improvement
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top