How to restore a chrome fork?

Velo Psycho said:

I have an older Chromed steel fork. It's lovely, but has some rust
pitting on the surface. What can I do to get it looking all nice
again? Any ideas?

It depends on how bad the rust is. If it's just surface rust, there's
many rust removers/polishers available. An old favorite (for me, at
least) is Quick-Glo:
http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/webalog/miscellaneous/31015.html
It removes surface rust quickly and easily.

If the rust is deeper (flaking or pitted through the plating and into
the subsurface steel), then you should probably sand the pitted portion
smooth, sand the entire fork, and then put a coat of paint over
everything. Rechroming is also possible, but it'll probably cost more
than a complete new fork.

Jeff

send it to maine?

On 9 Feb 2005 14:52:50 -0800, "Velo Psycho"

may have said:

I have an older Chromed steel fork. It's lovely, but has some rust
pitting on the surface. What can I do to get it looking all nice
again? Any ideas?

If there's no pitting, any lime scale or rust remover containing
phosphoric acid will get the orange-brown discoloration off, and a
coat of clear topcoat will usually keep it from coming back. If it's
pitted, you can still use the same procedure...but the rust will
return sooner or later unless you rechrome the fork.

--
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If you want the chrome removed I know a girl who can do it 😉

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Quoted message said:

On 9 Feb 2005 14:52:50 -0800, "Velo Psycho"

may have said:

I have an older Chromed steel fork. It's lovely, but has some rust
pitting on the surface. What can I do to get it looking all nice
again? Any ideas?

If there's no pitting, any lime scale or rust remover containing
phosphoric acid will get the orange-brown discoloration off, and a
coat of clear topcoat will usually keep it from coming back. If it's
pitted, you can still use the same procedure...but the rust will
return sooner or later unless you rechrome the fork.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Typoes are not a bug, they're a feature.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

"Velo Psycho" wrote: (clip) Any ideas?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
What have you done so far? If the chrome is mostly intact, what you are
probably dealing with is tiny pits, and rust spreading over the top of the
plating. Try cleaning it with fine steel wool, and you will be amazed at
how good it looks. I have cleaned old chrome faucets this way, with good
results. Of course, the rust will return, but you can slow it way down with
a coat of wax.

Velo Psycho said:

I have an older Chromed steel fork. It's lovely, but has some rust
pitting on the surface. What can I do to get it looking all nice
again? Any ideas?

Duraglit (wadding containing metal polish) used to work on my old
chromed steel rims, so it should work on your forks.

Quoted message said:

I have an older Chromed steel fork. It's lovely, but has some rust
pitting on the surface. What can I do to get it looking all nice again?

1. Brass wool (a brasso pad?) is definitely softer than steel / chrome
and so it's the preferred first step of restoration - steel wool
is not a good idea and can scratch the fork.

2. After that, a polish like simichrome or nevr-dull ($5) should
solve the problem. Then use a polymer wax like nuFinish ($5)
because you now have exposed steel and new rust is likely.

3. If you aren't happy with the results, 2 choices are available.
First, get some 400-2000($10 at autoparts store) sandpaper and
masking tape and sand down each pitted area. Then with a brush
chroming set ($30 at www.caswellplating.com) fill in the pits, and
polish ($5). Total effort is about 10 minutes per pit.

4. If the chroming is severe, e.g. peeling or deep pits or more than
2 or 3 pea-sized areas, then take it to a chrome shop (call the
local harley davidson dealer for suggestions.) First you must
strip the paint ($10 for airplane stripper & mask) In my area a
rechrome is expensive atg about $100 for an entire fork. 6" of
chrome might be half that price. The charge includes wiring the
fork and electro-stripping old chrome, 1-2 hours of time from the
polishing guy, re-wiring the fork and rechroming the fork, and
then buffing away the chroming salts - several hours of labor in
total.

you get to repaint the fork yourself ...

In summary your choices are
---------------------
clean/repolish: $10
sand/brushplate: $45
full replate: $110 / half replate: $60?

- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA

Velo Psycho said:

I have an older Chromed steel fork. It's lovely, but has some rust
pitting on the surface. What can I do to get it looking all nice
again? Any ideas?

0000(4 aught) steel wool works every time for surface rust. You will
get steel wool all over yourself.

josh

joshua said:

Velo Psycho said:

I have an older Chromed steel fork. It's lovely, but has some rust
pitting on the surface. What can I do to get it looking all nice
again? Any ideas?

0000(4 aught) steel wool works every time for surface rust. You will
get steel wool all over yourself.

Another chrome cleaner I've used is...

Fast Orange.

Yes, the hand cleaner. Clean your hands and the chrome at the same
time! It doesn't get out the real cancer, but if it's got surface rust,
this will do wonders.

--
BMO