What can I use to polish up this "chrome" trim?

emmjay

emmjay

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Hey guys,

1. I have a Pilot to work on from tomorrow and the front "Chrome" grille surrounds are quite faded and have a lot of spots.

How can I polish it out? I only have M205, UP, UC, Sonax 3/6 and Megs NXT Metalpolish.

I would like to try my best and make this car look brand new.

2. Also, will M205 or UC on a Orange pad be enough to clean up some haze on the headlights? I have no clue how to sand and such and just want to improve the look.

TIA :)

 
I've gotten great results with 3d HD Metal and microfiber towels. That being said, I'd try the metal polish you have with some microfibers and see how it does. Chrome is pretty hard and doesn't scratch easy compared to paint. Just try what you have, see what works and go with it. I don't think you'll cause any harm.

As for the headlights, the orange pad and UC should be more than enough to really make a difference. I've cleared up foggy headlights with a cyan hydro shred pad and Blackfire SRC compound in one step. Your combo would be about the same
 
emmjaygti said:
Thanks guys!!

The only thing I am worried about is that this trim is not real chrome :/ - It feels like plastic coated with a chrome "finish".

Goin Rogue sent a good product but unfortuantely I do not have that product in the UAE and no time to order anything.

I forgot to mention I also have P21s multi finish restorer - P21S® Multi-Surface Finish Restorer- This extraordinary German car polish from P21S will bring back luster and reflective brilliance.

Would this work?
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It is plastic chrome.
However, that P21s product sounds like the stuff! I've never used it, but it sounds like it's the bomb.
 
P21S is my go to works awesome on chrome. I use it to polish my chrome wheels after winter when They have all that calcium build up. The results are amazing.
 
Eldorado2k said:
It is plastic chrome.
However, that P21s product sounds like the stuff! I've never used it, but it sounds like it's the bomb.
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Ill give it a shot and see how it turns out! :D

Alex Haramic said:
P21S is my go to works awesome on chrome. I use it to polish my chrome wheels after winter when They have all that calcium build up. The results are amazing.
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Thats reassuring, thanks :)
 
I use P21S® Multi-Surface Finish Restorer on chromed plastic. An AIO works well too. KIAO or ZAIO have worked well for me the past
 
I kinda like the old school stuff like turtle wax chrome cleaner and polish.
 
Be careful in what you use. The grill, as others have mentioned, is plastic with a chrome looking film vacuum formed over it.

It's not "real" chrome and is easily damaged. Using a traditional chrome polish will likely damage the surface even more than it already is. (You mentioned it was faded and had "spots". Are they pits, perhaps?)

There is a vast difference between a chrome plated rim and this film covering a plastic substrate.
 
forrest@mothers said:
Be careful in what you use. The grill, as others have mentioned, is plastic with a chrome looking film vacuum formed over it.

It's not "real" chrome and is easily damaged. Using a traditional chrome polish will likely damage the surface even more than it already is. (You mentioned it was faded and had "spots". Are they pits, perhaps?)

There is a vast difference between a chrome plated rim and this film covering a plastic substrate.
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I was just going to post something similar. I have not had much luck cleaning up defects in that plastic chrome crap. In fact you could easily make it worse. I usually just go over it lightly with HD Speed
 
forrest@mothers said:
Be careful in what you use. The grill, as others have mentioned, is plastic with a chrome looking film vacuum formed over it.

It's not "real" chrome and is easily damaged. Using a traditional chrome polish will likely damage the surface even more than it already is. (You mentioned it was faded and had "spots". Are they pits, perhaps?)

There is a vast difference between a chrome plated rim and this film covering a plastic substrate.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, would any product from what I currently have work or should I just leave it alone?
 
After lightly buffing headlights using PlastX, I'll often take the same towel when I'm done and go over my "chrome" grille-- Often with just the residue left on the towel from the headlights. I've also used Megs 10 & 17 on my plastic chrome.

If the headlights aren't terrible (they look to be in pretty decent shape), a very light buff with PlastiX works well. I'd imagine the UP/205 on foam or mf would give similar results?
 
Harpolith said:
After lightly buffing headlights using PlastX, I'll often take the same towel when I'm done and go over my "chrome" grille-- Often with just the residue left on the towel from the headlights. I've also used Megs 10 & 17 on my plastic chrome.

If the headlights aren't terrible (they look to be in pretty decent shape), a very light buff with PlastiX works well. I'd imagine the UP/205 on foam or mf would give similar results?
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I might just try an inconspicuous area and report back.

As for the pics, none of those are mine haha.
 
Don't forget... When you correct headlights, you're removing the UV protection that is currently on there. Faded or not. Once you've achieved the results you're after, you need to REAPPLY a UV protectant. Otherwise they will discolor again and become hazy.
 
Pretty sure that plastic chrome except for the emblem.cleaner wax should safely clean it up.
 
SKorch630 said:
Don't forget... When you correct headlights, you're removing the UV protection that is currently on there. Faded or not. Once you've achieved the results you're after, you need to REAPPLY a UV protectant. Otherwise they will discolor again and become hazy.
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I understand this for sure, I will be applying Wolfgang exterior trim sealant or Menzerna Powerlock once I find a post stating how long WGETS can last.
 
GSKR said:
Pretty sure that plastic chrome except for the emblem.cleaner wax should safely clean it up.
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Could I use Pinnacle paint cleansing lotion applied by hand?

I just noticed that the "chrome plastic" has its own swirls which the above definitely wont remove.

I forgot to add, these are all the products I have:

1. Pinnacle paint cleansing lotion
2. Pinnacle black label surface cleansing polish
3. M205
4. Ultimate polish
5. Ultimate compound
6. Sonax 3/6 , which I dont know how to use
7. HD Speed
8. XMT intermediate swirl remover 3, which I dont know how to use, maybe its DAT
9. XMT Carnauba finishing glaze
10. Meguiars NXT metal polish
11. P21s multi surface restorer
12. Scratch x

I would like to clean up some of the swirls and ofcourse water spots. What would you recommend?

Thanks again GSKR :D
 
emmjaygti said:
I just noticed that the "chrome plastic" has its own swirls which the above definitely wont remove.


I would like to clean up some of the swirls and ofcourse water spots. What would you recommend?
:D
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Nothing I've ever heard of will remove swirls from plastic chrome. As far as I know, once they're on there, they're on there for good.
 
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