Plastic Chrome Restoration

[kev131]

I have a new Fiat 132 grill which has deteriorated in storage. The plastic chrome surfaces have spots of imperfections all over and I'm wondering if it is possible to remove these without damaging the surface? 

[mirafioriman]

I have a similar grille with the same problem. On a Fiat 130 part with a similar surface I used solvol autosol metal polish and it brought it back lovely.

Try an inconspicuous area first if you can.

[kev131]

Thanks Dave - Is that a metal or plastic grill on the 130..?

[mirafioriman]

It was actually the reversing light. Chromed plastic.

[kev131]

Okydoke - Thanks for the tip. I'll search it out.

Does it stay clear when exposed to moisture?

What looks to have happened on my grill is that the imperfections have erupted through the clear finish meaning that any abrasive agent may just smooth the feel of the article rather than remove the cosmetic flaws. However if you reccommend it, I'll give it a go. Cheers. 

[mirafioriman]

Not been exposed to moisture yet as it is to be fitted to the car after I paint and rebuild it.

[MarkoH]

I have used a product called PataPata. It is a Finnish product for kitchen cleaning and simply it is just a steel wool with a good soap. Actually it is originally made for clean the rust and other dirt from aluminium and steel surfaces like a pan. 

I have made few restoration projects in my life and I have always said that this product is a best friend of a car restorator. It is VERY cheap and in 99,9 % in cases it  is also much powerful than Autoglym etc. products.

I am quite sure that you have similar product in your country. Try to search from market with cleaning products.

[sid131]

Sorry Kev you cant do anything to make it better, my celicas tailight surrounds were pitted also & i got a seriously expensive price to get them rechromed so they were rubbed down & painted with "rage black chrome" paint & they look great, your chrome will keep blistering, i suggest a visit to a good painter.

[djape1977]

those 132 grilles just keep poping up! i have 3-4 of those. depending on how deep damage is, you might be able to restore it to its former glory by using almost any chrome polishing product. afther that, i usually wipe the crome parts with degreasing agent and spray them with clearcoat (that's supposed to go over metalic base paint). decreases shyne bi 20% roughly but preserves it from moisture

[sid131]

Hi djape1977 i also tried that so was asking a painter friend yesterday & he suggested getting the chrome bits soda blasted & the bits that were chromed painted silver & laquered,
what you suggested only works for a about a year & then it blisters again, my celica bits are painted a rew years now & are still perfect, it would cost about ?150 to get the grill done.

[eugene]

Probably cheaper to buy a new grill at that price .Eugene

[djape1977]

depends where you buy it. i bought mine in belgrade for 12e

[sid131]

i paid ?160 for a litre of the chrome paint to paint the light surrounds & the bumper infills & the plastic quarter vents on my celica, it all adds up when doing a proper restoration.