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I am going to be detailing a 80`s Mercedes on Friday. The car has a lot of chrome trim so I was wondering what the best way to polish chrome is? I never had a car with chrome trim before so I am not familiar with it. What product should I use and how do you go about doing it?
I`ve tried something called No. 7 that is cheap and effective. I`ve heard good reviews about it too.
What I`ve done to my own car to get awesome results is...
Wipe the surface with Poorboy`s PP and let dry for 5 minutes or so before removing. Then follow with Mothers Chrome polish. Let that dry for about 5 minutes or so and remove. It will leave an amazing finish. The PP does a great job of cleaning the surface and adding some shine. When you follow that with the Mothers Chrome Polish it will shine like no other.
Simonize Chrome Polish followed by UPP.
However, I haven`t been able to find the Chrome Polish Lately.
No. 7 works almost as good .....
Just my .02
I`ve done lot`s of pre-60`s vehicles -- back when chrome was king. What I found that works great for me on chrome that is in fair to good shape -- #0000 steel wool and a good paste wax. Apply it with the steel wool, buff it off with terry towels. So as to not risk a piece of steel fiber scratching the paint, I have a can of Mothers Cal Gold and separate towels specifically for this. For the newer chrome, that which the Mercedes will have, I just use the buffer with whatever I use on the paint -- Macro finishing polish, finesse, BC-2, etc. Personally I do not like to use #7 on any factory chrome made after 1986 for I think it`s just too much cleaner and grit. If the chrome on the Mercedes that you will be doing is the black (nickel) chrome, I would suggest not using any heavy compounds for it`s been my experience that this type tends to be softer and lends itself to showing scratches.
Hi Sopranos16,
These cars are fun. Fantastic workmanship; paint system, carpet, leather, all the way down to the switchgear and trimmings.
Yeah, they have lots-o-chrome. Here`s a few pics of one of my clients` 1987 560SL. She`s the original owner, only 40k miles, always garaged.
I used Mother`s chrome polish exclusively on this vehicle. Old t-shirts work well, too. This car was done over a year ago, and before, she didn`t have a regular detailer, so the paint (SS) was slightly oxidized, the leather needed some care, and the chrome (exterior & interior) was faded, slightly pitted and spotty. Now I take care of the vehicle: bi-monthly washes, quarterly detail, bi-annual engine details, etc... She`s very proud of her SL, and so am I:cool
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After Interior shot:
The other interior shot was the before
Looks great Stainbuster! Thanks everyone for the tips. I hope the Mercedes I`m doing tomorrow comes that good!!!
that`s not allot of chrome.... This is allot of chrome.....
& no, I didn`t detail it :(
:eek :eek :eek
Dayum that`s a LOT of chrome Dr.!
:lmfao
I love the way that Poorboys Pro Polish gives chrome that I thought was already shining that extra ""POP" with no hard rubbing or buffing. :beat