Cleaning rusted parts with vinegar and aluminium kitchen foil.

I've been looking at cleaning some rusty marks from chromed steel and as i couldn't find my chrome cleaner i soaked it in vinegar over night and used aluminuim kitchen foil to polish the marks out.

Before:


After:


Worked pretty well for a cheap solution and the threads cleaned up great after a soak and brush with a nail brush.

 

This method is a bad idea if you are on a diet.....the pavlovian effect of the smell of vinegar means many of us are pre programmed to end up in the chippy.

 

coca cola works too with silver foil

 

I think any acidic liquid will work. Lemon juice is good too and doesn't make you want chips afterwards.

Toothpaste is good for cleaning silver and polishing the milkiness off of modern cars headlights too.

 

Doesn't the foil make lots of micro scratches in the surface coating, so causing extra deterioration over time?

 

I use spit and wire wool, sometimes a dab o T cut too

 

The foil is aparently softer than the chrome and softer than wire wool aswell.

 

How long will that last do you think ?

 

If its anything like the chrome bumpers on my bug then until the first time they get wet.

Not sure if its possible to cover them in something to protect the chrome. WD40 might work or maybe i'll just spray them with clear lacqeur or vaseline.

 

it does keep it fresher too .

 

Your missus has just been on the phone livid, she has gone to wrap some sarnies but can't find the foil !!!!

 

Ohh I wonder if this will work on my mirrors They were polished up last time which worked a treat but they're showing rusty bits again now

Thanks for the tip