When I got my 2005
MCSC 1 1/2 years ago, I wanted it to have a "retro look," and decided wire mesh stone guards for my driving lamps would complete the picture. After looking everywhere to no avail, I finally found some vintage (but new in package) chromed stone guards on ebay that would fit. I made some mods and fitted them to the lamp assembly. Unfortunately, after about 8 months in the rain and fog of San Francisco, the mesh looked rusty, and it stood out from the rest of the car. So, I thought "I'll just get them re-chromed."
Well, little did I know that chrome platers in the Bay Area are about as scarce as hen's teeth. CA environmental laws make it really hard to have this kind of business, so much so that in 1979, there were 30 platers in the area - now there are about three, and none in SF. After some calls, I found one in Oakland, and called him up about my problem. The owner of this particular plating business has many years of experience, and in fact is now semi-retired. While he was more than happy to re-plate my stone guards, it would be pricy Knowing this, he was kind enough to give me some BIG hints on how to take care of the chrome, and recommended I try a few other things first. I found out some very interesting things from him, and thought I'd share them with the group. Below are three key points I learned from our 15 minute conversation....
#1) NEVER use "chrome polish"! It contains an abrasive, and after many applications, dulls the chrome. He said "I see so many guys using this stuff on their cars, and then a few years later they wonder why the chrome is all dull." Before those of you who have already used it slit your throats - know this: one application or so is not going to do it. But if you use it repeatedly, you'll eventually regret it.
#2) If you want the chrome to look good and be maintained for the next 40 years, WAX IT! That's right folks - WAX. When I asked him about what kind of wax, he said "Any kind of carnuba-type wax." He explained to me that under the extreme magnification of an electron microscope, chrome plating looks like the grass on a lawn - i.e., it's very POROUS. When water penetrates between the "blades of grass", it can cause rust. By applying wax, you "fill in" the areas between the grass, and so the water rolls off. Now, maybe you don't plan on keeping your MINI for 40 years, but there are plenty of other chromed items in any household, so think about applying a coat of wax every so often if you want to maintain them.
#3) Most chrome bits made today have a lot of nickel in the plating and not enough copper. Nickel is cheaper to do, so is used for items that are mass-produced. Unfortunately, what this means is that the chrome looks great when it comes from the factory...but it doesn't really last unless it's properly maintained. The reason why his re-plating would be pricy is because he does it "right", and so uses copper - hence the extra expense.
SO....I followed his recommendations, and using Lemon Joy and a soft wire brush, scrubbed the stone guards clean. (He said I could also use chrome polish this one time, because I needed the abrasive cleansing action to get off the rust.) The chrome plating is already starting to come off the metal in many areas, but they are so small that overall you don't really notice it. I dried them with a hair dryer and applied a coating of wax.
I have chrome bits all over inside and outside my MINI. I decided to put a thin coating of wax on the exterior bits - my MINI driving lamps, chrome grill, headlamps, side mirror covers, etc. Yes, it looks a bit "smeary" compared to before the application - the crisp reflection in the chrome of the side mirror covers is now a bit blurred-looking. Although I wash and wax my MINI religiously, I hadn't really noticed the beginning of some pock marks/early erosion areas (very tiny, but definitely there). I figure the wax is a lot cheaper than paying MINI for a new grill and mirror covers. So I am going to forgo the crisp reflection for awhile and see if the wax maintains the chrome better. And, if and when I get tired of waxing the stone guards, I'll call my "tutor" and have him redo them for me!
