Chrome Bumper Marks

[RKC]

My original bumpers are in excellent condition, but there are a few "marks" on them. The "marks" are not scratches as I can not feel them with my fingers. However, I have not been able to rub them out. I would rather not have them re-chromed for these few "marks". Any suggestions as to what might remove the "marks"? Thanks!

 

[CBODY67]

Do the "marks" look like sand scratches which were chromed over, but ONLY noticeable when the light is bright and at a certain angle? Similar to the "sand scratches chromed over" on the OEM door handles? Yet the surface is smooth?

I had noticed the "sand scratches" on the Chrysler production outside door handles years ago. A friend was doing a complete restoration of a Superbird and sourced all of the parts from the premier restoration parts source of that time. I looked at the new door handles he got and they were completely smooth in the strong light at the right angle. They had been either re-chromed OEM items or otherwise, but they had an aftermarket chrome job on them. Later, I noticed that all other OEM chrome items on my Chryslers had the same smooth and shiny chrome finishes, but in the right light, the sand scratches under the chrome were there.

At some re-chrome vendors I saw at Mopar Nats long ago, there were usually examples of their work vs other re-chromers. In "the other guys'" items, much of the existing detail was chromed over and lost. As if the paint was way too thick on a painted article.

Just some thoughts and observations,
CBODY67

 

[RKC]

Do the "marks" look like sand scratches which were chromed over, but ONLY noticeable when the light is bright and at a certain angle? Similar to the "sand scratches chromed over" on the OEM door handles? Yet the surface is smooth?

I had noticed the "sand scratches" on the Chrysler production outside door handles years ago. A friend was doing a complete restoration of a Superbird and sourced all of the parts from the premier restoration parts source of that time. I looked at the new door handles he got and they were completely smooth in the strong light at the right angle. They had been either re-chromed OEM items or otherwise, but they had an aftermarket chrome job on them. Later, I noticed that all other OEM chrome items on my Chryslers had the same smooth and shiny chrome finishes, but in the right light, the sand scratches under the chrome were there.

At some re-chrome vendors I saw at Mopar Nats long ago, there were usually examples of their work vs other re-chromers. In "the other guys'" items, much of the existing detail was chromed over and lost. As if the paint was way too thick on a painted article.

Just some thoughts and observations,
CBODY67

I appreciate your comments. My bumpers (1963 Imperial) are original and never been re-chromed. The marks show up regardless of how much light there is. Otherwise, the bumpers are perfect and look brand new. I thinks something rubbed against them to make a mark, but not deep enough to scratch the area. Perhaps I am being too much of a perfectionist and should just live with the marks. Today's re-chrome work may not be as good as what was done at the factory in 1963. Thanks!

 

[volksworld]

considering it will probably run you a grand per bumper to re-do them I'd be inclined to ignore them...of course without pics we really have no idea what the problem areas look like...when you say rub them out are you talking about by hand or machine?

 

[RKC]

considering it will probably run you a grand per bumper to re-do them I'd be inclined to ignore them...of course without pics we really have no idea what the problem areas look like...when you say rub them out are you talking about by hand or machine?

I only tried rubbing by hand. Here are two photos.

 

[1970cat]

have you tried #0000 steel wool? works good on glass too.

 

[RKC]

have you tried #0000 steel wool? works good on glass too.

I tried 0 steel wool but not 0000. 0 did not scratch it, but it also did not take the marks out.

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

Try a Mr Clean Magic Eraser as well.

 

[57fury440]

Factory chrome was not as good as people believe it was. Most shops that do restoration chrome do a much better job than the factories did.

 

[chippers65300]

Appears to be what is referred to as etching. My 65 300L rear bumper is got it bad. From what I've heard over the years, the final chrome dip is starting to shrink up. It tends to be worse closer to exhaust exit. Mine looks pretty good in the daylight, but put headlights on it at night and it really shows. I've tried everything, I'll need to find a quality chrome shop and live in Missouri. I can't find anyone around here that does bumpers. I found a couple places that only do small pieces.

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

While I've seen "etching" in the past, these images looks like a deposit left by something scuffing the chrome surface, and if removed, will leave smooth chrome behind undamaged.

I know that in the furniture biz, a microfibre cloth and water will remove those and not damage the finish. Chrome being much harder should have even less risk.

I still think it's something that needs to be "cut away" either chemically (Magic Eraser) or physically (0000 Steel Wool or even a kitchen green scrubbie).

The pits shown in the middle photo may polish up with steel wool, and some say go over them with tin foil, but I don't know about the longevity of that solution.

 

[Big_John]

I only tried rubbing by hand. Here are two photos.View attachment 710546View attachment 710547

What you have is failure of the chrome plating. See the white dots? The scrapes are probably from past contact with other cars or whatever. The chrome layer is breaking down and the scraped area shows it the worse.

You might be able to make it look a little better with some GOOD chrome polish. I strongly suggest Collinite 850 Metal Wax. Best stuff I ever used, and I've tried a few. The guys in our chrome plating shop used that exclusively.

 

[volksworld]

is that in an area where the bumper jack would have hooked on? maybe some paint transfer off a grey hook?