Polishing chrome: The key to keeping your bike pristine! From maintenance steps to recommended products.

Make Your Beloved Car Shine with Chrome Polishing!

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Chrome parts add a distinctive look to your bike, but regular maintenance, such as polishing, is necessary to keep them shining beautifully.

Dull chrome not only detracts from the appearance but can also lead to rust. While it's ideal to polish it regularly to keep it sparkling, there are two main ways to make chrome shine: "do it yourself" or "hire a professional."

1. Do it yourself

By using a chrome cleaner and applying it to the chrome and polishing it with a cloth, the chrome's shine will return.

Chrome cleaners contain fine abrasives that not only remove cloudiness and dirt from the chrome but also minor surface scratches, which helps prevent dirt from adhering again.

Chrome plating has countless microscopic pores on its surface through which water and dust can enter, causing rust. Therefore, always apply a rust preventative after polishing.

2. Hire a professional

If there is a lot of rust on the chrome, or if you want a shine that lasts longer, it's a good idea to consult a professional polishing shop.

The skill of the technicians at different shops can vary, so it's best to choose a service based on reviews, track record, and how well they respond to inquiries.

In addition to polishing existing chrome parts, some shops can also chrome plate new items like wheels, fuel tanks, and swingarms. If you love chrome, it's worth considering these options as well.

First, check the type of rust.

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Before polishing your bike, including its chrome parts, to make it shiny, start by checking for rust.

Different types of rust occur depending on the material. In the case of chrome parts, red rust and white rust are common, and their characteristics are as follows:

Type 1: Red Rust

Red rust is the most common type of rust found on iron and steel. It occurs when iron chemically reacts with oxygen to form ferric oxide, appearing as red rust.

Red rust continuously corrodes the base iron and other materials. If left untreated, the base material will become brittle, so early intervention, such as rust removal, is necessary.

If the chrome part's base is iron, neglecting maintenance for a long time can lead to red rust, and as the rust progresses, the chrome may peel or perforate.

Type 2: White Rust

White rust appears on chrome plating as scattered small rust spots, about 1mm in size.

Chrome plating often uses nickel plating as a base to improve adhesion, and white rust often occurs at the interface between the nickel plating and the chrome plating.

The surface of chrome plating has countless microscopic pores, and rust that forms in the underlying plating layer eventually travels through these pores to the surface, appearing as white rust.

Type 3: Transferred Rust (Red Rust)

Red rust can sometimes appear on chrome in areas that are in contact with iron-based parts, such as fenders. This phenomenon, where red rust from an iron base transfers to and spreads on chrome, is sometimes called transferred rust.

To remove red rust, it is recommended to use a rust-removing chemical or polish with a rust polish containing fine abrasive compounds. After the rust is gone, apply a rust preventative.

What causes chrome to rust?

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Chrome parts enhance the appearance of a bike and add a touch of luxury, but what causes chrome to rust?

The following are some common causes of chrome rust:

Leaving it wet
Not washing the bike
Oxidation of iron dust

Cause of Rust 1: Leaving it wet

If the chrome remains wet, for example, by being left out after riding in the rain, rust is more likely to occur.

The surface of chrome has countless microscopic pores, through which moisture can penetrate to the underlying layer. Rust that forms in this underlying layer eventually surfaces through the chrome.

Dust also contributes to rust formation. Therefore, after riding in the rain, wipe off any moisture before storing the bike or wash it as soon as possible.

Cause of Rust 2: Not washing the bike

Similar to leaving it wet after riding in the rain, not washing your bike for a long period allows dust and mud to accumulate. These can penetrate through the microscopic pores in the chrome to the base material, causing rust.

Especially for chrome plating, nickel plating is often used as a base to enhance adhesion. Dust and moisture infiltrating through the tiny pores in the chrome can corrode the nickel plating layer, leading to rust.

Since dust, mud, and moisture are causes of rust, not washing your bike for an extended period means these contaminants remain on the bike, making it more susceptible to rust.

Cause of Rust 3: Oxidation of Iron Filings

Fine iron particles that stick to your motorcycle while riding can also cause rust.

When riding near train tracks or on main roads, fine iron particles generated from train wheels or brakes are likely to embed themselves in the body of the motorcycle.

Rusting iron particles embedded in the motorcycle can lead to "transferred rust" on chrome parts and iron bases.

Cause of Rust 4: Riding Near the Sea

Riding near the sea for extended periods in the rain, or parking your bike close to the sea, can make it prone to rust.

Salt accelerates metal oxidation, and coastal areas have high salt concentrations. Therefore, if you park or store your bike near the sea for a long time, it becomes more susceptible to rust.

After polishing chrome, coat it with rust preventative and protective agent.

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After polishing the chrome on your motorcycle, coating it with a rust preventative or protective agent will extend its shine and lifespan.

Additionally, the following tips are recommended to help prolong the life of your chrome:

Regular maintenance
Be mindful of the storage environment
Wash after riding in the rain

1. Regular maintenance

Maintaining the chrome's protective agents, such as rust preventatives and coatings, about once every two months will help it last longer.

It's recommended to wash off dirt and then apply the protective agent to the chrome and wipe it dry. This not only suppresses rust formation but also helps maintain the chrome's luster.

2. Be mindful of the storage environment

Being mindful of where you store your motorcycle, such as trying to keep it out of the rain even when parked, can help prevent rust and maintain the chrome's luster.

If you store your bike outdoors, it's recommended to cover it with a motorcycle cover, which also offers a degree of theft protection. However, directly applying a motorcycle cover can cause minor scratches, so place a soft blanket or similar material over the bike before putting on the cover.

3. Wash after riding in the rain

After riding in the rain, it is recommended to wash your bike as soon as possible to rinse off rainwater and dirt.

Rainwater can contain dust and salt, and if left on the bike, it can lead to rust.

Especially after riding on roads near the sea in the rain, wash your bike as soon as possible and take measures such as applying rust preventative as needed.

4 Recommended Items for Polishing Motorcycle Chrome

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Here are four recommended items for polishing motorcycle chrome.

If you're looking to make your chrome sparkling clean, please take a look.

WAKO'S MTC Metal Compound

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WAKO'S "MTC Metal Compound" is a fine abrasive compound that can be used on all types of metal.

It can remove white rust from chrome and is also suitable for a wide range of metals like iron and aluminum, allowing you to polish your entire bike to a brilliant shine.

As a precaution, it cannot be used on new metal surfaces, mirror-finished surfaces, or painted surfaces, so it is recommended to mask off the surrounding areas before use.

FLITZ Metal Polish

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FLITZ "Metal Polish" is a polishing agent that can be used on a wide range of materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, and brass.

It can polish metals and plastics, remove dirt and rust from painted surfaces, and provides protective coating performance that lasts for about 6 months.

It cannot be used on titanium mufflers, so when polishing surrounding areas, mask them off to prevent accidental contact.

NAKARAI Migakingu Chrome Polish

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NAKARAI "Migakingu Chrome Polish" is a specialized polish for chrome, removing cloudiness and dirt from chrome plating.

It not only makes chrome plating shiny but also fills the countless microscopic pores on the chrome surface with a glass coating, providing high corrosion resistance and durability.

Polishing agents containing abrasives clean temporarily but also abrade the surface film over time. However, Migakingu Chrome Polish protects the surface without abrading it.

NAKARAI Sabitori King Motorcycle Rust Remover

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NAKARAI "Sabitori King Motorcycle Rust Remover" is a rust remover specifically for chrome plating and can also be used on stainless steel parts.

It cannot be used on gold, silver, or copper plating, and it may damage chrome plating applied to a plastic base. If you wish to use it on plastic-based chrome parts, test it in an inconspicuous area first.

Using the previously mentioned "NAKARAI Migakingu Chrome Polish" as a finishing agent will enhance its effectiveness.

FAQ Regarding Motorcycle Chrome Polishing

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We've compiled frequently asked questions and their answers regarding motorcycle chrome polishing. If you're considering polishing chrome or are concerned about chrome rust, please refer to this.

What is the average cost when hiring a professional?

The average cost for polishing motorcycle chrome varies depending on the area to be polished.

Polishing only the front forks typically costs around 3,000 to 7,000 yen, fenders around 3,000 yen and up, and a fuel tank around 5,000 to 10,000 yen.

If you have the entire motorcycle body polished and glass-coated, including chrome, the cost can be around 100,000 yen.

<Is using Pikal for motorcycle chrome polishing a no-go?>

Pikal is not suitable for polishing chrome parts because it abrades the chrome film.

Pikal contains fine abrasive compounds. When polishing, it removes cloudiness and dirt by shaving off the surface, thereby restoring its luster.

In contrast, chrome plating involves layering copper and nickel plating on a metal base, with the visible chrome plating on top. Polishing with Pikal can abrade these layers, which is why Pikal is not suitable for chrome polishing.

I can't tell the difference between chrome and aluminum...

Both aluminum and chrome have shiny surfaces, but aluminum has a dull, whitish luster, while chrome has a smooth luster that reflects faces and surrounding objects.

Chrome's smooth surface properties also allow it to be used in movable parts such as the inner tubes of motorcycle front forks. So, if you think "front fork = chrome," you're almost certainly correct.