How to get stain's out of chrome plated valve covers????

[avelleno]

Hey Guys,

I have a question, i bought a set of stock chrome plated valve covers at a swap meet last year. They go fo $300 on mustangs unlimited. i paid $40 bucks for them, not realizing the stains i thought were dirt, actually seems to be like acid on the chrome plating.
Question-How do i get the stains out, without having to re-chrome the one valve cover.. i tried Noxon, Never Dull-Nothing, it doesnt seem to come out...WTF!!!....... Is there some other method-i can use, a high grit sand paper, or buffer wheel--something. i called the chrome plater and he wants $125 to re-chrome just valve cover.... Maybe i can buff it out.

Thanks for any help!
Anthony

 

[avelleno]

Come on!!!!!!!!!!

Anyone????? Tell me-no one has chrome valve covers!!!!

 

[shawnster]

Did you try Mothers metal polish? If that doesnt work, I dont think it will come out

 

[avelleno]

No-I didnt, but i will......

Hey Thanks for the reply!

i didnt try mothers metal polish, I figured noxon and nevr dull-would be the same thing, but i will, i have nothing to lose.

Thanks-Anthony

 

[Gearbanger 101]

You may have to wet sand it a little. But if it's acidic, it may have gone all the way through to the base. You may just have to live with it.

 

[avelleno]

Hey gearbanger!!!!

Let me ask you-GEARBANGER!!!!
if i have to wet sand it-what grit sandpaper should i use?????

Cauz-i really cannot live with it, one valve cover is perfect and that the passengerger side, of course the drivers side that is much more noticeable-Is stained-SUX!!!!!! i mean-There seemd to be lots of stains, if i cannot remove them-Its ruined, i will have get it re-chromed. i just cannot see, paying $100 for vanity, when i can use that $$$$ on say roller rockers..... ya know!

Please get back to me!
Thanks-Anthony

 

[Gearbanger 101]

Let me ask you-GEARBANGER!!!!
if i have to wet sand it-what grit sandpaper should i use?????

Cauz-i really cannot live with it, one valve cover is perfect and that the passengerger side, of course the drivers side that is much more noticeable-Is stained-SUX!!!!!! i mean-There seemd to be lots of stains, if i cannot remove them-Its ruined, i will have get it re-chromed. i just cannot see, paying $100 for vanity, when i can use that $$$$ on say roller rockers..... ya know!

Please get back to me!
Thanks-Anthony

I'd work with as light as possible. The chrome plating will scratch easily. I might try it with 1000-2000 wet. But like I said, it may have gone all the way through.

I'm from the Nickel Capital of the world and as such we have a huge refinery here. Well, the company (Inco) is constantly dishing out paint vouchers to people in the surrounding area because of acidic fallout that's caused from the smeltering process.
What I'm getting at is that no matter how well or often you wax your car, the fallout still gets past it, through the clear and into the paint, where it actually etches the metal.

That’s what may have happened here with your valve covers. Regardless of the amount of sanding or polishing done, because of the corrosive damage caused, replateing them may be your only option?

 

[avelleno]

Thanks for the 411-gearbanger!

Hey man,

Thanks for the 411-gearbanger, It is greatly apprciated!

Anthony

 

[4dStang]

$125 to have one valve cover replated. Ouch. I paid $75 for two. Send it to me and I'll get it dipped for about $40 and have it back in a week. I don't do the dipping but I have a local small town shop that plates CHEAP.



Chris

 

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Here ya go. Yes, i am the man, and you're welcome...lol I'd say if it'll take out rainbowing from headers, it should take out your stains as well.
http://www.eastwoodco.com/itemdy01.asp?Dep_Key1=mfb&T1=13193&I1.x=22&I1.y=72


BTW i'd highly advise against any sanding of chrome, since even 1200 is going to leave some kind of sanding marks, and you wont be able to polish out the marks like you would on aluminum because the plate is super thin.