Recomendations for chemical to clean rust stain from chrome

[Eliminator SS]

Hey guys, I have the editor of Diesel Power Magazine emailing me asking for pics of my old 83 F250 for a spread in an upcoming issue. And well to tell the truth its no cherry, but its pretty much stock, and thats what he's looking for I guess.
The truck's in exceptional condition for its age, but the grill guard has some rust staining going on and I'd like to clean that off for the magazine shots. Its just rust discoloration, not rust through.
I know there are a couple products out there that do this. What are your suggestions as to which is best.

 

[gordonquixote]

I like Flitz (http://www.flitz-polish.com/).

I worked on a sailboat back in the day and Flitz, myself, and the stainless got to be good friends It works great without a doubt.

 

[jayb53guy]

I've always had good luck with simoniz. Better grease up the elbow though if the rust is plentiful.

 

[1320racing]

www.safestrustremover.com/

The product is amazing... zero elbow grease and abrasion - check out the pics on their site -

 

[Eliminator SS]

1320, thats exactly the type of product Im looking for, as this guard Im looking to clean has a mesh grill area, and it would take years to polish properly.

 

[GetMore]

I was going to say that steel wool will clean it up, but it sounds like that might be too much work for you.

 

[1320racing]

Eliminator-
It hopefully will save a lot of labor and damage...

 

[70sbudget]

ask mom, mothers always works for me.

 

[zbugger]

Get a can of coke out of the fridge and you can use either steel wool or a scotch brite pad. I've actually used a towel to clean the chrome with coke. Yeah, I knew it worked before Mythbusters tried it. And you also need a little elbow grease. I usually windex the area afterwards to clean any remaining soda off the metal.

 

[79CamaroMan]

For old chrome with rust stains, I typically bust out any liquid polish. If its too bad, then #000 or #0000 steel wool takes care of it quick.
This will leave fine scratches, but the old chrome will be full of fine/medium scratches anyways. After the rust staining is gone, make sure the chrome gets lots of wax, or rust will come right back. It is caused by tiny holes in the plating going right to exposed steel.

The more the chrome is polished on the more likely you will rub through to the underlying nickel. Then you are stuck with a yellowish spot that cannot be removed short of rechroming. As long as oyu are careful this own't happen, but I've some guys with borderline OCD that have rubbed through thier new chrome with a towel and wax. must have taken hours.

FYI, For new/show chrome never use an abrasive polish of any sort, or it will automatically give the chrome an old chrome look with scratches.