512detail
New member
Thanks
Im looking at pbl wheel coating since i have a lot of it But it is over 2 years since opened.
Does that mean its bad?
It has no expiration date on it
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Engine bay chrome- Need some ideas
- Thread starter 512detail
- Start date
Im looking at pbl wheel coating since i have a lot of it But it is over 2 years since opened.
Does that mean its bad?
It has no expiration date on it
Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk
The Guz
Mike
It`s probably ok. Nick over on Autogeek mentioned that McKee`s paint coating has a 10 year shelf life. So I would say you are good to go with PBL wheel coating.
OMP would be my choice for chrome. The other is Simichrome (sold at Harley-Davidson dealers)
If it`s polished aluminum, use Mother`s Billet Polish. Expensive, but far better than OTC Mother`s Mag and Aluminum Wheel polish. Second choice would be White Diamond Metal Polish.
One thing about chrome is that it can be scratched with the wrong polish and cloth use, especially on chromed plastic. Chromed metal, if it`s done correctly, is extremely hard, BUT, care must still be taken. I use chamois-like microfiber for metal polish removal. Yes, they will get black and quite dirty-looking. One thing I would not use is cotton terry-cloth or old bath towels. Yes, they are cheap and disposable, but it`s not worth the risk of scratching chrome.
In a pinch, Meg`s M105 and M205 can be used for chrome cleaning. I think Autopian Scottwax suggested using these.
A chrome shop told me that chrome needs to "breath", so do NOT wax or seal it. Use only chrome cleaners or polish. Now whether that`s a "wife`s tale" or not, I don`t know, but this did come from a chrome shop that does a lot of show chrome. I wish other Autopian`s would chime in on this.
dieselwrench
New member
I use simichrome alot at work and have used it on a Harley I repainted about a year ago and personally I like it.
512detail
New member
lol. id never try to use a bath towel....but thanks for the heads up
as far as chrome breathing. I have no idea. I`ve been waxing and sealing `chrome` for years with no known issues so who knows- I`m not going to stop waxing or sealing chrome anytime soon until I see some solid empirical data showing me otherwise- or a plausible scientific explanation as to the negative effects
Accumulator
Well-known member
That "chromed plastic" is an aluminum-based coating and rather fragile IME.
Those have worked well for me. I did the chromed wheel spokes/rims on a pal`s Jag and he thought they looked better than when he had them refinished! (Not really possible IMO, but it was nice to hear.)
I can`t see how that can be true. The Chrome is literally layers of chromium, over top of layers of "base coating" metal, over top of the underlying metal that the part is made out of. Unless compromised, I`d expect those layers of plating to be relatively impermeable (not completely- look at how even uncompromised chrome-plated stuff can "blister"/corrode if exposed to salt) and I don`t want moisture/etc. can get "breathed in" and cause issues. That`s why I LSP mine- to keep moisture/etc. from attacking the stuff underneath the chrome.
(Note all the "I`d expect.." disclaimers as I`m sure no expert on chrome plating.)
FWIW, I`ve been waxing the chrome on my Jag since it was new (31 years now) with zero issues at all.
Many/most Chrome Polishes are abrasive, and even though Chromium is pretty hard stuff y`all know how I feel about unnecessary abrasion
512detail
New member
I actually got the idea to wax chrome from a rap song when i was in high school, lol
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Accumulator
Well-known member
Not to argue, and I`m sure there are a lot of variables that could make "!YMMV!" apply, but regarding Chrome and Cotton-
While I`m all for erring on the side of caution, I don`t see how (decent quality) cotton could mar (most) chrome. I seldom had it happen when I used cotton (for all those decades before MF) except when I inadvertently rubbed some abrasive [contamination] against the chrome. And I have some cotton towels that are softer than some of my MFs (note all those various disclaimers!).
On paint, sure... in many instances cotton can mar many autopaints (note all those "..many.." disclaimers!). But chromium is hard stuff, I`ve even scrubbed chrome plating with *brass* without marring it (and once checked under magnification just to satisfy my curiosity).
While I`m all for erring on the side of caution, I don`t see how (decent quality) cotton could mar (most) chrome. I seldom had it happen when I used cotton (for all those decades before MF) except when I inadvertently rubbed some abrasive [contamination] against the chrome. And I have some cotton towels that are softer than some of my MFs (note all those various disclaimers!).
On paint, sure... in many instances cotton can mar many autopaints (note all those "..many.." disclaimers!). But chromium is hard stuff, I`ve even scrubbed chrome plating with *brass* without marring it (and once checked under magnification just to satisfy my curiosity).