Using a chrome polish can completely transform the finish of the chrome by restoring lost shine and cleaning the surface. Chrome can be found on many classic cars but other modern vehicles also use the material on trim, exhausts and wheels.
The best chrome polish is the Simichrome 390050, which removes surface rust and defects from the chrome as well as adding 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. It can be maintained through regular cleaning and maintenance but using the wrong polish on the chrome can cause adverse side effects.
Table of Contents
- The Best Chrome Polish
- 1. Simichrome 390050 All Metal Polish Tube
- 2. Quick Glo Car Chrome Cleaner
- 3. Turtle Wax T-280RA Chrome Polish For Rims
- 4. 3M 39527 Chrome Cleaner and Polish
- 5. Eagle One Nevr-Dull Wadding Polish
- 6. Mothers California Gold Chrome Polish
- 7. Blue Magic 400 Metal Polish
- 8. Chemical Guys Heavy Restorer and Protectant
- Chrome Polish Buying Guide
- Conclusion
Chrome Polish Comparison
| Chrome Polish | Type | Protective Coating |
|---|---|---|
| Simichrome 390050 | Paste | Yes |
| Quick Glo Chrome Cleaner | Cream | Yes |
| Turtle Wax T-280RA | Cream | Yes |
| 3M 39527 | Cream | No |
| Eagle One Nevr-Dull | Cream | Yes |
| Mothers 05212 | Cream | Yes |
| Blue Magic 400 | Cream | Yes |
| Chemical Guys Heavy Duty | Cream | Yes |
Irregular maintenance of your cars chrome may cause the removal of chrome itself or other serious issues to it’s finish. Due to the softness of chrome, you can achieve excellent results by using a quality polish that’s designed for automotive applications.
Some manufacturers produce all metal or aluminum polishes that may also be used on chrome surfaces. This may be a great benefit if you have a mixture of different metal components on your car. However, it’s important to note that these are to be used upon real chrome and not plastic chrome components.
Below is a list of the best chrome polishes that clean and restore the shine to your chrome trim, exhaust, wheels and other components.
The Best Chrome Polish
1. Simichrome 390050 All Metal Polish Tube
Simichrome is a highly popular chrome polish that’s suitable for both automotive and domestic use. The 390050 can be used on all sort of metals such as chrome bumpers to alloy wheels. It also works well for removing surface rust and restoring shine.
Unlike other polishes, this product 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.
Other features of the Simichrome 390050 include:
- Can be used on all metal surfaces
- Results in 30 seconds of usage
- Provides a protective layer
- Paste rather than a spray
- Concentrated formula
The Simichrome polish is one of the best car chrome polishes on the market that’s highly effective. The speed at which it turns dull metal to a metal finish is truly remarkable.
Check it Out2. Quick Glo Car Chrome Cleaner
In terms of application, you can use a cotton rag or microfiber applicator to buff the product into the work area. If you are a fan of Jay Leno you would have seen this chrome polish talked about and for good reason too.
Features of the Quick-Glo Chrome Cleaner include:
- Cleans, polishes and waxes in one application
- Eco-friendly formula
- Removes corrosion and designed for heavy use
- Excellent at removing water sports
- Concentrated formula that lasts
Unlike many of the other chrome polish alternatives, the Quck-Glo also waxes 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.
Check it Out3. Turtle Wax T-280RA Chrome Polish For Rims
Turtle Wax are a huge detailing brand and their chrome polish formula is one of the best options for chrome rims. Due to the salt on the roads, it can eventually start to introduce oxidation to the chrome wheels. However, with regular usage of the T-280RA formula, this can be a thing of the past.
Features of the Turtle Wax T-280RA include:
- Works great on rusted or tarnished chrome
- Leaves a protective layer after usage
- Easy to apply with a cotton, microfiber or foam pad
- Can be used on wheels, bumper and other trims
The Turtle Wax T-280RA formula is the best chrome wheel polish that restores rims to their original gleaming luster. The only drawback is that Turtle Wax only provide this polish in small 4oz bottles, which you may go through quickly.
Check it Out4. 3M 39527 Chrome Cleaner and Polish
The 3M Chrome and Metal Polish is a refined formula that removes surface rust, stains, corrosion and oxidation with ease. It’s best suited to chrome or stainless steel but they do provide an alternative for magnesium or aluminum surfaces.
Other features of the 3M 39527 Chrome Cleaner and Polish includes:
- Suitable for a range of automotive metals
- Removes pitting or spotting defects
- Recommended for wheels, trims and bumpers
- Enhances shine and sparkling effects
- Application by hand or polishing tool
3M is a reputable brand and you do have to pay the premium price for their polish but the results speak for themselves. It’s easy to apply and an excellent cleaner as well as a polish, which allows you to achieve a “showroom shine” fairly easily.
Check it Out5. Eagle One Nevr-Dull Wadding Polish
The brand claim it has been the go-to metal polish for over 70 years within the automotive industry, so this would indicate that it certainly works well.
Other features of the Eagle One Nevr-Dull include:
- Restores and protects most metal surfaces
- Removes rust and tar without leave scratch marks
- Mirror-like reflection after usage
- Non-abrasive formula
- Leaves zero residue or deposits
The 3-in-1 formula promises to clean, protect and maintain chrome and other metal surfaces within one application. Apart from the premium price tag, it’s one of the most rated chrome polish and cleaner products available that won’t disappoint.
Check it Out6. Mothers California Gold Chrome Polish
Mothers is a detailing brand that’s loved by many car enthusiasts in the USA. Their chrome polish is one of the best polishes they produce and contains an advanced formula that’s easy to apply and produces an excellent shine.
Other features of the Mothers 05212 California Gold include:
- Abrasive formula deeply cleans and remove corrosion
- Doesn’t streak, scratch or smear
- Easy to apply
- Restores dull surfaces to a showroom shine
- Can also be used on glass and mirrors
Application of the Mothers chrome polish is as simple as using an applicator pad and rubbing it into the neglected surface. It’s able to cut through most poorly conditioned chrome surfaces but its gentle enough to be used of a regular basis.
The California Gold chrome polish by Mothers is one of the cheapest chrome polishes available and is great for tough dirt such as brake dust and tough road grime.
Check it Out7. Blue Magic 400 Metal Polish
The Blue Magic 400 brand isn’t the most well-known but but their chrome metal polish certainly a very popular option in the USA. For heavily oxidized metals, the Blue Magic is the leading polish cream that will reveal a shiny finish to any chrome surface.
Other features of the Blue Magic 400 Polish Cream include:
- Includes ammonia for stronger cleaning power
- Non-abrasive formula
- Excellent for use on wheels
- Leaves a long lasting protective coating
- Can be applied using a car polishing machine
You are able to use this polish for both automotive and domestic applications with results working on all metals. Once applied, a silicone film is left over the metal surface that protects and increases the shine. It’s an excellent all-rounder but it’s more suited to those requiring a strong chrome polish.
Check it Out8. Chemical Guys Heavy Restorer and Protectant
For tackling extensive damage to automotive chrome surfaces, the Chemical Guys formula is a great option. It’s suitable for all chrome plated and metal surfaces with the aim being to remove light rust stains with relative ease.
Depending upon the severity of defects upon the chrome surface, the brand also produce a lighter polish for additional shine.
Other features of the Chemical Guys Restorer and Protectant include:
- Application by hand or machine
- Restores shine to all metal parts
- Removes and protects against tarnish
- Cleans and brightens the surface
- 16 or 4 oz bottles
- Made in the USA
As with any products produced by the brand, you can expect great results. The Heavy metal polish restorer and protectant is an excellent all-round product that’s suitable for chrome and other metal surfaces. If possible, we highly advise following up the polish with their “light” formula for improved results.
Check it OutChrome Polish Buying Guide
Car chrome that’s clean, defect-free and polished up will provide a showroom shine every time. However, when neglected and poorly maintained, they can completely ruin the aesthetics of your vehicle. Luckily, there is a wide variety of quality polish for chrome surfaces that can provide great results in a single application.
Almost every components of your car can be chrome plated but there are many surfaces that use plastic chrome. If this is the case, you will want to use a different polish that’s suited for plastic as opposed to metal surfaces.
To help you make an informed buying decision, we have produced a detailed buying guide below regarding chrome polishes.
Car Chrome Protection
Oxidation is a big worry when it comes to chrome because chrome has one enemy, which is rust. If oxidation occurs, so will rust spots and its important to try your best to avoid it. By placing a protective coating over the chrome, it helps to preserve the surface and increase its value over time.
Chrome Restoration
As long as the chrome isn’t flaking off the surface, 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. It’s important that you should use a chrome polish and not a regular car polish in order to get the best results.
How to remove rust from chrome
- Use aluminum foil to remove rust (see below explanation).
- Clean the chrome free of debris and dirt.
- Dip the aluminum in saltwater.
- Rub over the rust spots
- Stop to remove dust residue when needed
- Rinse chrome with water
- Dry completely with a towel.
With regards to using aluminum foil, it reacts with the chrome chemically, which allows for easy scraping of the surface. Aluminum is soft, which means it won’t damage the metal underneath.
Compatibility of the Polish
The surface will dictate what kind of polish you should buy for the entire polishing project. You can check the label to see which surfaces the chrome polish can be used on. Most will include chrome wheels, air intakes, valve covers, bumpers and other accessories.
Ensure 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’s best to first polish, then go back and use a high quality wax.
Best Way To Polish Chrome
Before you apply any chrome polish to the car, you will want to ensure the surface is completely clean. Remove any debris with water first before scrubbing and then apply normal auto wash soap and clean thoroughly. Ensure the surface is dry before applying the chrome polish and then follow the below steps:
- Apply chrome polish to applicator
- Rub in a circular motion
- Remove any rust with a steel wool
- Apply wax to chrome surface
- Dab and dry with water for an improved finish
Polishing Chrome Rims
Chrome rims will go through far tougher conditions than other chrome components of your car. Therefore it’s important that they are thoroughly cleaned and protected. We strongly recommend that you remove all the dirt before polishing. Brake dust is often left behind after using a standard soap, so it’s worth also using a wheel cleaner for brake dust that’s safe on chrome wheels.
Once fully cleaned and dried, you can apply the chrome polish to remove all defects and increase the shine. Although many polishes have a protective coating, we recommend that you use a wheel wax afterwards for further protection.
Age of the 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 or new car, chrome is a beautiful addition. But if it isn’t 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.
Conclusion
Chrome is a valuable addition to any vehicle on the road and when cleaned, it looks great. However, many fail to keep on top of maintaining chrome surfaces and they start to suffer from oxidation and dullness. Using any of the recommended polishes can restore lost shine and clean the chrome surface with ease.
You may already have an “all-metal” polish but unless it specifically mentions that it can be used on chrome, we would advise that you don’t use it. Most polishes designed for chrome are relatively cheap and a worthwhile investment.
