5 Best Car Chrome Polishes 2018

Chrome is a very popular accessory to have on a car because of the added shine and sparkle that it offers. It can be one of the most beautiful assets to your car or it can be the biggest eyesore if not taken care of in the proper way.

The best chrome polish is the Simichrome 390050 All Metal Polish that not only removes surface rust and defects from the chrome but also adds a clear protective coating to prevent any further damage.

Chrome is electroplated and soft so that it can be used to coat other metals and give them a shiny finish. Chrome is maintained through regular cleaning and maintenance but using the wrong polish on the chrome can cause disaster.

Best Chrome Polish for Cars

Chrome Polish	Type	Protective Wax
Simichrome 390050	Paste	Yes
3M 39527	Cream	No
Blue Magic 400	Cream	Yes
Quick Glo Chrome Cleaner	Cream	Yes
Mothers 05212	Cream	Yes

Irregular maintenance of your vehicles chrome may cause chrome removal or other serious issues pertaining to your chrome finish. The polish itself is relatively cheap to purchase and is easy to apply with results in a matter of minutes.

Most of the present day vehicles have very little chrome, as compared to the classic models of the past which are loaded with it. Most of the chrome polishing kits you get in retail are very average but of course.

If you are detailing your car and treating it to a wide array of products, it would be silly to miss out your chrome. Below is a list of the best chrome polish for your car that will remove any defects and leave a protected shine.

Simichrome 390050 All Metal Polish Tube

Simichrome is an automotive and domestic chrome polish that is highly popular and rated. The 390050 can be used on all sort of metals, that being chrome bumpers to alloy wheels. The main focus of the Simichrome 390050 is  removing surface rust from chrome and polishing aluminum until it looks like new.

Unlike other chrome polishes, this polish take less than 30 seconds before you see the faded, dull or oxidized metal turn into a mirror finish. Not only that, the unique formula provides a protective layer to prevent further tarnishing in the future.

The Simichrome polish is one of the best car chrome polishes on the market that is highly effective. The speed at which it turns dull metal to a metal finish is truly remarkable.

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3M 39527 Chrome and Metal Polish

The 3M Chrome and Metal Polish is a refined formula that removes surface rust, stains, corrosion and oxidation with ease. It is best suited to chrome, stainless steel and other automotive metals.

I have had really good results with bumper chrome that was highly pitted. With a bit of elbow grease, the results were almost new with a mirror reflection. I highly recommend using this car chrome polish for wheels, trims and bumpers.

For those looking for the “car show” shine that you often see, the 3M 39527 should be in your detailing bag. The simple application for impressive results is hard to say no to.

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Blue Magic 400 Metal Polish

The Blue Magic 400 is not a popular detailing brand but their chrome metal polish certainly is popular. For heavy oxidization on metals, the Blue Magic is the leading polish cream that will reveal the shiny finish.

This metal polish for chrome include ammonia, so its important that you wash your hands after use and so on. However, this is also an advantage as the ammonia gives the polish the strong abrasive properties.

You are able to use this polish for both automotive and domestic use with the results working on all metals. After successful use, a silicone film is left over the metal area that protects and increase shine.

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Quick Glo Chrome Cleaner

The Quick Glo Chrome Cleaner is a water based fine polish, cleaner and wax all in one. Its best use is when buffed into cars, bikes or boat chrome that is highly oxidized.

In terms of application, you can use a cotton rag or microfiber applicator and buff into the work area until the defects are removed. If you are a fan of Jay Leno (classic car enthusiasts) you would have seen this chrome polish talked about and for good reason.

Unlike many of the other products, this chrome polish will also wax the surface too. This is something to consider for those that are planning on buying another product just for waxing the chrome after polishing it.

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Mothers 05212 California Gold Chrome

Mothers is a detailing brand that is loved in the US than any other country. There aluminum and chrome polish is one of the best polishes they produce that contains a secret formula for an extra shine.

Application of the Mothers polish is simply by using a clean cloth and rubbing the polish into the neglected metal. The abrasive polish is able to cut through most poor conditioned metals but its also gentle enough to use of a regular basis.

The California Gold chrome polish by Mothers is the cheapest chrome polish around and and is highly rated worldwide. It is an abrasive polish, which is great for tough dirt such as brake dust and tough road grime. It is the best chrome wheel polish due to this abrasive property and you will struggle to find a similar priced polish with a similar cutting effect.

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Car Chrome Protection

Oxidation is a big worry when it comes to chrome because chrome has one enemy – rust. If oxidation occurs, so will rust spots. So ask if the polish will help protect against this, if it will put a protective shield on the chrome that will help with preservation and increase value over time.

Once chrome begins to fade and rust sets in, the value of the car begins to depreciate. Polishes come in liquid, cream, spray-on formulas. Some are even colored to match car paint color. This helps to improve the overall appearance of the finish too.

Chrome Restoration

Can it restore pitted places in your chrome? As long as the chrome is not flaking off, there is a chance to save it without having to have it re-plated. A good, quality polish will bring the chrome back to life once the rust has been removed.

Make sure that you are using a polish specifically made for chrome and not another surface. Remember chrome that is pitted a great deal needs to be re-plated because merely polishing will not help with the look or the restoration.

To remove the rust before polishing:

1. Use aluminum foil. It reacts with chrome chemically for easy scraping off of the surface. Aluminum is soft so it will not damage the metal underneath.
2. Clean the Chrome free of debris and dirt.
3. Dip the aluminum in saltwater.
4. Rub Over the Rust Spots
5. Stop to Remove Dust Residue when needed
6. Rinse chrome with water
7. Dry completely with a towel.

Surface of the Chrome

The surface will dictate what kind of polish you buy for the entire project. What is the condition of your metal? If you are unsure that the surface is chrome, ask your dealer.

Make sure you are using a polish specifically made for chrome by checking the label on chrome surfaces such as wheels, air intakes, valve covers, bumpers, chrome accessories, and stainless steel.

Make sure that the chrome polish kit is able to clean aluminium as well as amalgam in addition to chrome wheels. To really bring out the shine in the chrome of an old car, it is best to first polish, then go back and use a high quality wax.

Purpose of the Polish

Before you buy, consider your purpose and where you plan to use the chrome polish. Are you planning to polish up for a car show? Or is it just regular protection and maintenance? Is it for a motorcycle? Rust removal? Whatever your purpose will dictate the kind of polish and the materials that you buy.

Preparing chrome for a car show is much different than preparing it for routine maintenance. Make sure you can use the materials that you buy on other chrome surfaces as well to get the most from your purchase.

Chemical Ingredients

Chemicals are always included in chrome polishes. One of the things that must be avoided is a polish that has a substance that won’t stop oxidation. A dull, dirty chrome does not make for a beautiful car.

Since polishing is a chemical reaction, it may cause harmful effects when it’s not handled properly. Make sure that your metal polish is free from smelling salt, acid or anhydrous chemicals which destroys the shine due to discolouring and oxidation.

High or Low Priced Polish

In today’s market, there are expensive polishes and there are those that are considered great bargains. But which one should you choose and how do you know? Much of the time, products are priced based on their quality and satisfaction promised to the consumer. But you do not know if those promises are guarantees.

Quantity over quality is not always the better choice. You can have a lot of one product, but if it does not do the job, you need it to do, then you have wasted both your time and your money.

Age of Your Car

Sadly, the older the chrome gets on a car, the more likely that there will be oxidization. A metal finishing polish can be used to treat the oxidized areas of an old car to bring them back to life again. Once the oxidization has been removed, clean, then follow up with a high quality wax to protect the surface area.

Whether you have an old car or a new car, chrome is a beautiful addition. But if it is not cared for in the proper way, it can ruin the entire look of your car. In choosing your polish, make sure to follow the suggestions above in order to make the best possible purchase.

Best Way To Polish Chrome

Before you apply any chrome polish to the car, you will want to ensure the surface is clean. Remove any debris with water first before scrubbing (may scratch the chrome) and then apply normal auto wash and clean thoroughly. Ensure the surface is dry before applying the chrome polish and then follow the below steps:

1. Apply Chrome Polish to applicator
2. Rub in a circular motion
3. Remove any rust with a steel wool
4. Apply wax to chrome surface
5. Dab and Dry with water for an improved finish