How to Clean Chrome

Cathy said, “I have a used car that the previous owner used something on the chrome interior and on the black plastic of the dash that I can see spots on the chrome and a whitish film on the black plastic. I have tried commercial interior car cleaners and vinegar and rubbing alcohol and nothing helps. The rubbing alcohol does seem to discolor the terrycloth rag that I am using but I don’t see a huge difference in the chrome looking clean, there are still spots on the fabric! Can you help please?”

You Will Need:

• Water
• A cloth
• Cleaning product: (choose one)
  • Chrome cleaner²
  • Baking soda³
  • Flour³
  • Glass cleaner⁴
  • Dish liquid⁴
  • Rubbing alcohol⁵
  • White vinegar⁵
  • Lemon juice⁶
• A nail brush
• Lemon rind
• A metal polishing cloth
• A used dryer sheet
• Carnauba paste wax
• A short-bristled brush

Steps to Clean the Chrome:

1. If possible, spray the metal with water to dislodge and remove any dirt. If that isn’t possible, wipe the chrome with a damp cloth instead.²
2. Select a cleaning product from the list above and use it with either a damp cloth³ or a nail brush to clean the chrome.² Baking soda works particularly well for stains and other spots on chrome.⁶
3. Rinse the cleaner off thoroughly.²
4. If there is any tarnish on the chrome, rub the area with a lemon rind⁵ or a metal polishing cloth to remove the tarnish, then rinse the area thoroughly.⁷
5. Buff the chrome to a bright shine with a used dryer sheet³ or dry cloth.⁸
6. Coat the metal with a thin layer of carnauba paste wax to help it last longer. Try not to let any wax get into the joints as it may be difficult to remove and can gather dirt over time.²
7. If any wax gets into a joint, remove it with a short bristle automotive detailing brush or a large paint brush with the bristles cut short or with their base wrapped with duct tape.²

• Always use the least abrasive or least strong cleaner on chrome first, then try stronger cleaners if needed.²
• It is possible to over-polish chrome. Only use the amount of strength needed to clean the chrome.²
• Chrome polish should only be used if it’s necessary for removing stains.¹
• Rubbing chrome with some baby oil can also be helpful to remove some stains.⁵
• Never use chlorine bleach or a harsh acid to clean chrome as it will eat small holes in the chrome.⁸
• If you need to store something chrome, wipe a layer of petroleum jelly over it first to prevent it from rusting in storage.⁵

1. The Cleaning Encyclopedia by Don Aslett
2. Haynes Techbook Automotive Detailing Manual by Jay D. Storer and John H. Haynes
3. Joey Green’s Cleaning Magic by Joey Green
4. Clean It Fast, Clean It Right by Jeff Bredenberg
5. Extraordinary Uses For Ordinary Things by Reader’s Digest
6. Clean & Green by Annie Berthold-Bond
7. Home Comforts: The Art & Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson
8. Don Aslett’s Stainbuster’s Bible by Don Aslett