Chrome Question

[AR Titan]

I was cleaning the bugs off of my grill and front bumper this afternon, and unfortunately I used one of those sponges with the sponge side and a soft plastic abrasive side (it's a yellow sponge w/ a green abbrasive on one side, not sure of the brand). Don't use the abrasive side to clean the chrome on your titan!!!

I've used the same sponges to get bugs off of the grill of my grand cherokee and did not have the same problem. One side of my titan's grill is now hazy with light swirly scratches. Big mistake on my part.

In addition to issuing this warning, I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for dealing with this. Some kind of chrome polish or wax? New grill?

[HudsonValleyTitan]

Not sure about repairing the chrome you damaged but, in the future, spray the chrome with some SIMPLE GREEN and let sit for a few minutes (not in direct sun so it dries) while you wash another part of the truck. The bugs will come right off then.

[mkelee]

I thought the grill was plastic , not metal.

[HudsonValleyTitan]

Originally Posted by mkelee

I thought the grill was plastic , not metal.

It is. Only the chromed portion of the front bumper is real chrome. Either can be scratched.

[chryslertech]

Hey guys, I have a good tip. While attending school to become a tech, I managed a detail shop for 2 years. The best thing for chrome cleaning, including plastic is #00 steel wool. It works great for bugs, tar and any other stains that may occur. Just make sure the label says #00. Works great for getting bugs off of windshields as well!!!

[HudsonValleyTitan]

Originally Posted by chryslertech

Hey guys, I have a good tip. While attending school to become a tech, I managed a detail shop for 2 years. The best thing for chrome cleaning, including plastic is #00 steel wool. It works great for bugs, tar and any other stains that may occur. Just make sure the label says #00. Works great for getting bugs off of windshields as well!!!

LOL..I wanna see your chrome after you steel wool it! Especially the plastic chrome!

[chryslertech]

Trust me on this. Use it all the time on my Titan. You will be pleasantly surprised. Not to mention the time savings. Works great on grill, bumper and mirrors. Again, must be #00 steel wool!

[Helinut1970]

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyTitan

LOL..I wanna see your chrome after you steel wool it! Especially the plastic chrome!

Hes right. Its like a wet sand on paint. It works!!

[mkirt]

That's what I like about this site, learn something new everyday. I would never have thought of steel wool. What is different about #00 that it doesn't scratch?

[RockyMtnTitan]

Originally Posted by chryslertech

Hey guys, I have a good tip. While attending school to become a tech, I managed a detail shop for 2 years. The best thing for chrome cleaning, including plastic is #00 steel wool. It works great for bugs, tar and any other stains that may occur. Just make sure the label says #00. Works great for getting bugs off of windshields as well!!!

Thanks, chryslertech, I'm gonna have to give that a try!

[TulsaTitan]

Those nylon body sponges you use in the bath and shower work great too. Doesn't scratch, but get the bugs off chrome, paint and windshield.

[AR Titan]

Any ideas on fixing the scratches, or at least making them less noticeable?

[firecracker]

you can probably use some buffing compound and get the shine back. Depending on how deep the scratches are, you may not be able to remove them completely.

Shoot me PM if need some help when it quits raining!

[greg w]

I use a soft wheel brush with no problems.

Be careful buffing with compound that you don't burn through the chrome.

[TVTitan]

I know this is going to sound like the Martha Stewart show, but I have heard that using old dryer sheets (Bounce or whatever) is a good way to remove bugs and such from grill work.

(And they just might make your truck smell good too!)