People keep saying “You need to redo your bumpers”.
Yeah. They’re bad. They’re foggy, grungy, and look like they were taken off of a junkyard car.
Is there a “do it yourself” technique?
Or is this something you need to send out for?
Send out, unless you want to paint them body color, or something.
Since you’re all the way in TN, I’d probably see if you have any good chrome shops in your area. Otherwise I can say firsthand that WCCC’s rechromed bumpers are awesome, and the exchange system works well for a quick turnaround. Link: https://secure.cougarpartscatalog.com/Cougar_Chrome_Bumpers.html?attribs=75&refreshed=true
Before you send them out try cleaning them with 0000 (4 ought) steel wool. You may be surprised.
You might also try rubbing with some coca-cola (or diet coke) and newspaper or rags.
However, if the chrome is flaking off or otherwise needs to be re-done, there is no do-it-yourself solution.
Thanks all!
Will try the do it yourself stuff first. Then try sending them out.
We would use 0000 steel wool with some paste wax with some success.
I found that #0000 steel wool, followed by a chrome cleaner (never-dull) and using a cloth diaper (yes, a diaper) for cleaning to that deep chrome shine without the haze left over.
I see a rechrome front bumper on John’s for $450. My front bumper is shiny, with a half dollar size rust spot. Two shops near me priced rechroming mine at about $700-750. Not sure how shipping plays in, but i’d have a bumper in trade if I went with Johns.
ssava, you have one of the best chrome shops in the country in your state.
http://www.tricityplating.com/ and also Advance plating
yep steel wool and some effort goes along way. My chrome was pretty good but both bumpers where bent and tweaked so I ended up exchanging them. I checked locally and between the unknown turn around time and high cost it was actually cheaper to exchange through WCCC even with shipping. I even called in and inquired about a blems to save a little cash. You would not see the blem on my front bumper unless I pointed it out to you
Cool. Thanks
Tried the 0000 steel wool.
Chrome polish
Coca Cola
Lemon juice and aluminum foil
So far with negligible results
Maybe try the steel wool and dish soap with water, I have done that its cheap and easy.
Looking at that picture of the front bumper, I would speculate that the area where it goes from shiny to dull on the left side could now be wheeled and possibly shine up. The imperfections will still be there but it may shine up. It almost looks like the chrome is sanded off?
Good Luck
Gary
Thanks. What do you mean “sanded off”?
Can Chrome come off?
Chrome is just a coating. Chrome can be sanded off or if rust develops under the coating through a scratch or crack in the chrome, the chrome will peel off.
Yes chrome can be sanded off. Its a long road because it is very hard but it can be sanded. We do it here at work somewhat often. Anyway, in your picture above on that left side you can see a transition going from somewhat shiny to dull (from left to right). Then the rest of the bumper to the right has that duller finish. The question is why? Just can’t tell by the pic what is going on there. It’s not pitted or peeling that I can see.
Perhaps someone clearcoated the bumper to try to protect the chrome and the shiny spot (to the left of your photo) is where the clearcoat has come off.
It just looks like oxidation to me, but pictures can be deceiving. I don’t see any cracks or flaking. I’d keep rubbing and buffing before opening up the wallet for re-chroming. Maybe give a harsher chemical a try - like CLR
Edit to add - wear gloves and don’t let CLR sit on painted surface for long. Rinse thoroughly after using.