Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Remove rust with aluminum foil
• Method 2 of 4: Remove rust with a mild acid
• Method 3 of 4: Remove rust with penetrating oil or chrome polish
• Method 4 of 4: Restore and protect chrome after removing rust
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

Chromium is generally used to provide a glossy or protective coating on other metals. The metal under the chrome is usually the cause of the rust. It is surprisingly easy to remove this rust using household products and a little effort, but the chrome may need to be repaired afterwards if the rust is on a large area and much of the chrome has peeled off the metal.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Remove rust with aluminum foil

1. Use aluminum foil. This is an easy and inexpensive way to remove rust from chrome. When aluminum and rust come into contact with each other, a chemical reaction occurs. The material can therefore easily be wiped or scraped off. Aluminum is softer than most metals and will therefore not scratch the chrome itself or the metal underneath.
2. Clean the chrome. Before you try to remove the rust from the chrome, remove dirt and grime from the metal with soapy water. You can also use car wash when cleaning painted car parts. This makes it easier to see and remove the rusty spots.
   • If the surface is very dirty or rusty, use vinegar or one of the other mild acids described below. Then use aluminum foil.
3. Dip the aluminum foil in water. It doesn't matter what kind of water you use, but salt water is best because the electrolytes and salt help speed up the chemical process. Tear off strips of foil so that they are the right size for easy use on the rusted area.
4. Rub the aluminum foil over the rust spots. Rub the aluminum foil back and forth over the rust spots. You don't need to apply a lot of pressure, although you may need to put in a little more effort and rub a little longer on heavily rusted areas.
   • Submerge the aluminum foil in water again when it dries.
   • If you are working on a heavily eroded surface you can try to make a wad of the aluminum foil. The resulting edges help to smooth the metal and work on the rusted, dented areas.
5. Stop every now and then to remove the residue of rust. When a thick layer of removed rust has formed, stop and wipe away the residue with a rag or cloth. That way you can see where you still need to remove rust and rework it with the aluminum foil.
6. Rinse off the chrome. When you've removed all the rust, wipe the surface with a rag to reveal the shiny metal underneath.
7. Dry the chrome completely. Water stains are very easy to spot on chrome, which can also cause the metal underneath to rust. Use a paper towel or a hair dryer to dry the surface. You can read the section below on repairing damage and preventing new rust if needed.
   • Do not forget to apply a coat of chrome polish or wax to the cleaned chrome to prevent further rust from forming.

Method 2 of 4: Remove rust with a mild acid

1. Use cola, lime juice, or other mild household acids. Cola or soda that contains phosphoric acid can be used to remove rust. You can also use lime juice or vinegar. These mild acids can remove the rust without damaging the metal around it.
   • Diet Coke does not contain sugar and will therefore stick less during cleaning. However, the sugar will help the acid to adhere to the rust.
   • Avoid strong or concentrated acids, as these can bite into the underlying metal and make it weaker. If it doesn't work with these household acids, try again with phosphoric acid. However, turn on a fan to blow the harmful fumes away from your face.
2. Clean the chrome. Before you try to remove the rust from the chrome, it is best to remove all dirt and grime from the metal. This makes it easier to see and remove the rusty spots. Use a car wash to clean painted surfaces on cars and just soapy water for other chrome items.
3. Soak the chrome in the acid or pour it on top. Ideally, soak the item in the acid for 15 minutes before removing the rust. If you can't soak the item, just pour the mild acid over the surface.
4. Wipe or scrape away the rust. You may need to use a rough sponge or a soft dishwashing sponge to remove the dissolved rust. With a dishwashing sponge that is intended for use on glass dishes and bowls, the chances are the least that you will get scratches on the chrome. To remove large rust spots, gently rub over it with strips of aluminum foil or scrub it with a scouring pad.
5. Remove the residue with a safe soap. When cleaning a car, use a car wash to remove the rust and acid residue. Dishwashing liquid cannot be used on car paint because it can remove the paint. You can clean unpainted surfaces with water and regular soap.
6. Dry and take care of your car. Remove moisture with paper towels to reduce the chance of new rust. If the rust has caused visible damage, go to the section on repairing damage and preventing new rust.
   • Apply a coat of chrome polish or wax to the cleaned chrome to prevent further rust from forming.

Method 3 of 4: Remove rust with penetrating oil or chrome polish

1. Use chrome polish to remove rust as quickly as possible, or penetrating oil to save money. Chrome polish is the most expensive removal method, but with a high-quality product you can quickly and easily remove the rust. You can also use a light penetrating oil like WD-40 or CRC instead, which is usually cheaper.
2. Clean the chrome with soapy water. Before you try to remove the rust from the chrome, it is best to remove all dirt and grime from the metal. This makes it easier to see and remove the rusty spots.
   • If the dirt is very difficult to remove, you can also use vinegar to clean the chrome. Vinegar is a mild acid that also helps remove the rust.
3. Apply penetrating oil or chrome polish to the rusted area. Spread it over the rusted area of ​​the chrome, making sure to cover it all over to avoid scratching the surface.
4. Apply penetrating oil or chrome polish to copper wool or fine steel wool. Soft copper wool or a copper brush is best suited for this, as it is less likely to make large scratches. If you can't find copper wool, use the finest steel wool you can get, preferably with a coarseness of 0000. Applying extra chrome polish to the steel wool will help prevent scratches.
5. Rub the wool gently over the rusted area. Rub gently over the rust in circular motions, making sure to keep the surface moist. Do not apply pressure while rubbing or you will damage the surface.
   • Apply more oil or chrome polish when the area gets dry. If you rub dry chrome with steel or copper wool, you will scratch and damage the surface.
6. Rinse the area with clean water. Rinse off the chrome polish and the removed rust with water.
7. Check for more rust spots. If there are more rust spots on the chrome, use more chrome polish to try and remove the spots using the same method.
8. Dry the chrome completely. Water stains are very easy to spot on chrome, so it is best to dry it completely to give it a nice shine.
   • Do not forget to apply a coat of chrome polish or wax to the cleaned chrome to prevent further rust from forming.
   • For additional maintenance, you can view the steps below.

Method 4 of 4: Restore and protect chrome after removing rust

1. Polish and dry the surface. If there were only small rust spots on the chrome, drying the surface with a towel may be enough to keep the chrome looking nice.
2. Protect the metal with chrome polish or wax. Apply wax or chrome polish to the chrome to protect it from further damage. Use a product specifically designed for chrome, such as car wax for chrome-plated car parts.
   • Usually you will need to apply the wax, rub it in and let it dry. Then a second layer is applied and rubbed in.
3. Apply silver paint. This keeps the chrome nice and shiny, but how well the chrome is protected against rust depends on the brand of paint you use and how well you apply it. Choose paint that is suitable for this job, preferably car paint, and apply it as evenly as possible to areas affected by rust. Use very fine sandpaper (1200 grit) to sand it smooth after it dries. Be careful not to sand unpainted areas.
4. Have the object re-chromed. This is expensive and is usually only done on cars that are badly damaged by rust. Only have this done by a company with a lot of experience in the field of chrome plating. You can also try to chrome objects at home if you would like to learn how to do so. Relatively small objects are particularly suitable for this.

Tips

• Materials are usually chrome plated to protect them from rust. When rust occurs, it is usually because the chrome has peeled off in places. This exposes the underlying iron or steel to the environment and can cause rust. In severe cases, the rust can spread to surrounding areas and cause lumps under the chrome layer.
• Rust will come back quickly when the surface gets wet, so be sure to dry the surface well when you wet it. Apply a coat of chrome polish to the surface just after it dries. This prevents rust from reappearing.

Warnings

• On some cars, instead of chrome, plastic or paint is used to imitate chrome. The above methods work on the rust itself, not the chrome, and it is not known what effect they will have if your car has been treated with an unknown substance.
• Sandblasting or grinding is not recommended, as this can easily damage the underlying metal.

Necessities

• Steel wool
• Penetrating oil or chrome polish
• Cola, lime juice or vinegar
• Aluminium foil
• Lap