I acquired this amazing original 34 Chevy Master grill..all 3 pieces that have been hiding in an old hot rodders attic since the late 50's. If your familiar with these the intricate grill work has thicker vertical strips top to bottom and then finer horizontal shaped strips that run horizontal molded onto the backside of the vertical ribs. Its fine and tight spacing...less than a quarter inch between each horizontal ribs. The entire grill is chromed. It would be almost impossible to get something down between the ribs to clean the rust and crust off those horizontal strips. At least with any control. Is there some kind of chemical dip that removes this corrosion without damaging the steel or chrome plate? I've cleaned enough to see that the chrome is intact...just not sure which way to go with this.
chrome wheel cleaner might work well for that
try it with the grill wet first, then spray on the cleaner (this will dilute the cleaner a little) some soft brush scrubbing, then rinse well
Never heard of the molasses bath...that is interesting. Not much info on if it will harm chrome or not. Anyone try the carbonate/water 12 volt electrical process?
I have done electrolysis. it works well with rusty steel, but takes a long time.
One of the big problems with electrolysis is some people use stainless steel anodes (the positive electrode) because it does not deteriorate as bad.
USING STAINLESS STEEL FOR THE ANODE CAN CREATE HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM. This is nasty stuff, do not use stainless steel for the anode.
Using electrolysis to clean the grill makes the chrome grill the cathode. I do not know if this prevents the formation of hexavalent chromium or not.
My grille wasn't as intricate, but it looked like green scum over years of sitting. I knew I could never find a replacement, so I decided to clean and polish it myself.
I built a frame from old wood and then lined it with plastic sheeting to make a soaking tank. Then I mixed up simple dishwashing soap and hot water and dropped it in. Scrubbed it with a soft bristle brush as it soaked and almost everything came off.
Afterwards I hosed it off with plain water and used a toothbrush and liquid chrome polish to scrub and clean a bit more. When I was done I hand polished the surface areas and it came out great. I have some pits in my chrome, but they are OK by me.
I spent a day on the project, maybe 6 hrs. total, a couple more carefully straightening some bent grille bars, and well worth it to me.
Before:
Well, nothing seems to stand out as the clear winner but there are few things to try. I'd be more than happy to sit there and hand clean it but those curved deep cross bars are just about impossible to attack with any kind of scrubbing power.
How about a pressure washer with some detergent like simple green. If it is not rusty but just dirty, this should clean it off. hit it, let it sit to soak and hit it again.
Here is a great product mild grit has the consistency of liquid polish, use with a buffer wheel 2.5 or 3.0 x 1/4 on an electric drill. I cannot tell but the grill looks rough. This polish will not remove chrome, just a cleaner.
chrome wheel cleaner might work well for that
try it with the grill wet first, then spray on the cleaner (this will dilute the cleaner a little) some soft brush scrubbing, then rinse well
Best bet is the molassas, get it from a Horse Tack shop. Also, a friend of mine makes amazing new inserts for Chevvy grilles of that era. Send him an email:
Somewhere I've seen an assortment of brushes that are shaped a few inches long and different widths from 1/4" up. That would help when working through the slots of the grill.
Also you might try Go Jo hand cleaner or lava soap.
Best bet is the molassas, get it from a Horse Tack shop. Also, a friend of mine makes amazing new inserts for Chevvy grilles of that era. Send him an email:
Molasses is great to neutralize rust, but I've never heard of it doing anything to clean tarnish. If this is dirt and tarnish I doubt molasses will do much.
I had a '55 T-Bird with wire spoked wheels. I used the Eagle One Chrome & Wire Wheel Cleaning Kit with great results. It is a 2 part application, the first part being an acid cleaner that is left on for 30 seconds (I left it on longer the first time) then rinsed off. The second step is to spray the neutralizer on and let stand for at least 1 minute. Rinse again with water. The wheels looked like they were right out of the box new when done. Give it a try.
if it's just surface rust try using C.L.R. it works on bathroom chrome.I have seen some posts on the HAMB where a guy used it on surface rust on his 60's chevy wagon. it came out great.on the plus side you will have a clean bathroom if it doesn't work out.also comes in small bottles, less $outlay.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
harris engineered reproductions
P O Box..800991
houston texas
usa 77280
phone 1-713-826-0419
fax... 281--856--9423
email .... info@hergrilles.com
they have a web site....google it
they make AS ORIGINAL stainless grill mesh inserts for 1932 to 1936 chevrolet models , plus the center strip piece and also for 1934 master only a repo grille trim ring.
I acquired this amazing original 34 Chevy Master grill..all 3 pieces that have been hiding in an old hot rodders attic since the late 50's. If your familiar with these the intricate grill work has thicker vertical strips top to bottom and then finer horizontal shaped strips that run horizontal molded onto the backside of the vertical ribs. Its fine and tight spacing...less than a quarter inch between each horizontal ribs. The entire grill is chromed. It would be almost impossible to get something down between the ribs to clean the rust and crust off those horizontal strips. At least with any control. Is there some kind of chemical dip that removes this corrosion without damaging the steel or chrome plate? I've cleaned enough to see that the chrome is intact...just not sure which way to go with this.
You pour it on, let it sit, what doesn't fall off by itself, you just literally wipe off with a rag. I know this sounds like magic/info-mercial, but this stuff is legit.
I'll bite...at only $23 for a gallon well worth the risk if it even comes close to doing what they say it will. I wonder if Lowes or Home Dep carries this stuff?
You pour it on, let it sit, what doesn't fall off by itself, you just literally wipe off with a rag. I know this sounds like magic/info-mercial, but this stuff is legit.
I'll bite...at only $23 for a gallon well worth the risk if it even comes close to doing what they say it will. I wonder if Lowes or Home Dep carries this stuff?
I'm tell ya the stuff works! Check your PM's. If you live near KC and you don't like it, let me know and I will buy it from ya!
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