How To Restore the Chrome On Your Classic Car

If you’re anything like The Drive’s editors, you actually take your car outside and let it experience the world—no garage shut-ins here. It breathes in neighborhood air, feels the local pavement, and gulps gas at highway exit gas stations. It also gets wet and dirty and becomes chemically unstable.

Many metal parts on a car are susceptible to weather, road conditions, and salt, and the unsightly result can be rust spots. This looks particularly terrible on chrome-plated parts, which become dull and pitted. Fortunately, similar to how you can correct your paint, you can also do a DIY chrome correction at home.

If your chrome has light corrosion, not chips or scratches, you should be able to shine it up with a few simple products and quick steps. The Drive’s OCD editors are here to help guide your microfiber towel along the way, so let’s get to it.

Chrome is a shiny hard metallic coating primarily made of chromium. It is typically electroplated onto the surface of another metal such as steel for decoration and protection. On cars, it is most commonly found on wheels, bumpers, grilles, and trim pieces.

Throughout time, the metal encounters oxygen and water and begins to oxidize, which causes rust. 

Estimated Time Needed: 1 hour to 1 weekend

Skill Level: Beginner

Vehicle System: Exterior

Working on your car can be dangerous and messy, so here’s exactly what you’ll need to ensure you leave the garage in the same condition in which you entered.

We’re not psychic, nor are we snooping through your toolbox or garage, so here’s exactly what you’ll need to get the job done.

Organizing your tools and gear so everything is easily reachable will save precious minutes waiting for your handy-dandy child or four-legged helper to bring you the sandpaper or blowtorch. (You still won't need a blowtorch for this job. Please don’t have your kid hand you a blowtorch—Ed.)

You’ll also need a flat workspace, such as a garage floor, driveway, or street parking that’s also well-ventilated. Check your local laws to make sure you’re not violating any codes when using the street because we aren’t getting your ride out of the clink.

Let’s do this! 

The opinion on this topic seems to vary from person to person. Some people say that bronze wool, brass wool, or 0000 (fine grade) steel wool can be used with chrome polish to help remove any dirt, stains, and rust, as long as it’s real chrome. Others suggest that using steel wool will leave microscratches and possibly dull the surface.

As for us, we’ll stick with the chrome polishing compound, because at the end of the day, steel wool on chrome plating is still metal on metal. If you do choose this method, use extremely light pressure and try it on a small lesser-seen spot first as a test.

A.

WD-40 directly claims it can remove rust from chrome, but we’d stick to the chrome polisher for car parts.

A. Vinegar has some acidity to it, which could slowly remove rust, but it’ll likely take longer and does not have a built-in sealant like commercial chrome polish.

A. The acid in Coca-Cola can break things down, but we prefer using the stuff specifically formulated for the job.

A. Toothpaste is abrasive, so it’ll probably do the trick, but we recommend a chrome polisher. They have abrasive properties made for the job and include built-in sealers.

3M Chrome and Metal Polish

Mothers 05212 California Gold Chrome Polish

Sinland Microfiber Towel

Got a question? Got a pro tip? Send us a note: guidesandgear@thedrive.com