Bubbly Chrome

Post by **spank0** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 10:01 pm

Well, the title pretty much describes my problem. I have bubbly chrome. Not too bad but here's a pic just to show you what it's like on one of the bonnet hinges.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m50/Spank0/hinge.jpg

Is there any way of smoothing this out and making it all nice and shiney or am I stuck with this forever... it won't get worse will it???

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 11:04 pm

Is there any way of smoothing this out and making it all nice and shiney or am I stuck with this forever... it won't get worse will it???

Afraid not it will slowly get worse, good quality replacement is the only answer or good quality re-chroming.

Post by **Alec** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 6:45 am

Hello both,

I understand that it is nearly impossible to rechrome alloy parts once they have bubbled. Even steel is very labour intensive if it is badly rusted as, once the plating has been removed electrically, a lot of linishing and polishing is required which is hand done.
Unfortunately our experience of new bumpers and light bezels rusting very quickly means that, some at least, reproduction new parts are poorly plated.

Alec

Post by **spank0** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 8:40 am

Ohhh nooo! That makes me very very sad.
Anyone have an estimate of how long it will last before I *really really* have to replace it? I'm a student so pretty much have no money at all and won't have until sometime in August when I leave and can get a full-time job... will it last til then?

Post by **alex_holden** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 8:56 am

It's not going to suddenly fall apart; it'll just get gradually more pitted and corroded on the surface. You could try cleaning it with a brillo and then waxing it - that might slow the rate of decay a bit.

Post by **chickenjohn** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 9:01 am

You could try removing the hinges, giving them a clean with Cillit Bang to remove the corrosion (No joke, this does clean up chrome- albeit temporarily), then spray with a couple of coats of clear varnish. Its a temporary tidy up before going to a classic car show. As said above, the only permanent fix is re-chroming.

Post by **RogerRust** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 9:18 am

I hate to say this in case I get in trouble, but why not rub them down and paint them a contrasting colour, black or something like that. Its as near to a cost free fix as I can think!

Post by **chickenjohn** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 2:10 pm

Or paint them silver, or with "chrome" paint.

Post by **james_Mills** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 2:55 pm

why not just buy new chrome from bull motif spare of some other morris minor centre. The chrome on my car bubbled, so I just bought some new stuff (obviously keeping the original pieces). My car is having a major overhaul and paint job, so new chrome will be the finishing touches

Post by **chickenjohn** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 3:32 pm

Because a lot of new chrome supply is poor quality compared to when the cars were new and if the car is used a lot (in various weathers and the winter eg) The chrome may soon pit and become rusty or bubble as yours did!.