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How to clean fire soot off of chrome parts #1362427
12/31/12 06:19 PM
12/31/12 06:19 PM
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Posts: 43,969
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart Offline OP
Rhinotruck
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Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Most of you know I had a garage fire and everything in there was covered with black soot, unfortuneatly it has alot of rubber in it from burning tires. I have a set of rechromed bumpers and 5 sets of factory chrome valve covers that were not burned just completely black with soot. What is the best way to clean them, any good chemicals to soak them in?


The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.

JB Rhinehart, Realist

A-Body's RULE!
Re: How to clean fire soot off of chrome parts [Re: Rhinodart] #1362428
12/31/12 06:22 PM
12/31/12 06:22 PM
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Posts: 42,714
Spokane Washington
ScottSmith_Harms Offline
Mr Wizzard
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Try bug & tar remover for chrome (Kerosene might work just as well) . Westly's Tire White would also likely work well (it contains acid so be aware of that when on more delicate surfaces). I wouldn't reccomend ANY type of polish or abrasive on freshly done chrome parts.

Re: How to clean fire soot off of chrome parts [Re: ScottSmith_Harms] #1362429
12/31/12 06:25 PM
12/31/12 06:25 PM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,522
Orleans, Ontario
moparcanuk Offline
pro stock
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Orleans, Ontario
Window cleaner. If that doesn't work try oven cleaner.

Re: How to clean fire soot off of chrome parts [Re: ScottSmith_Harms] #1362430
12/31/12 06:28 PM
12/31/12 06:28 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 454
Ashville, Manitoba, Canada
superbeeman69 Offline
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Ashville, Manitoba, Canada
What about some 0000 steel wool and chrome polish? Or try some rubbing compound by hand, and then polish.


1970 FM3 Coronet 440, 1971 FJ6 Dude D100
Re: How to clean fire soot off of chrome parts [Re: superbeeman69] #1362431
12/31/12 06:44 PM
12/31/12 06:44 PM
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illinois
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evenflow Offline
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illinois
Probably cant. I can have a truck over there this evening to remove the affected parts.

Re: How to clean fire soot off of chrome parts [Re: superbeeman69] #1362432
12/31/12 06:44 PM
12/31/12 06:44 PM
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mopars4ever Offline
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i would think lacquer thinner but that`s just a guess since I never used it on soot

Re: How to clean fire soot off of chrome parts [Re: Rhinodart] #1362433
12/31/12 07:27 PM
12/31/12 07:27 PM
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Posts: 2,530
Nunya CA
CR8CRSHR Offline
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Quote:

Most of you know I had a garage fire and everything in there was covered with black soot, unfortuneatly it has alot of rubber in it from burning tires. I have a set of rechromed bumpers and 5 sets of factory chrome valve covers that were not burned just completely black with soot. What is the best way to clean them, any good chemicals to soak them in?




Rhino...Try a mild dish soap and warm H2O mix. It should remove the soot without scoring the chrome. Take an old Cotton t-shirt and use that in place of a sponge or cloth type wipe. Cotton is softer and won't make it impossible to wipe them with. If that does not work, you might want to contact a Chromer in your area...I am from there but do not know at present any Chromers in your area...and they might be able to offer a suggestion. Hopefully the soot hasn't bonded to the chrome metal. Good Luck though. Still a bummer that this happened to you. I know...No words....

Re: How to clean fire soot off of chrome parts [Re: mopars4ever] #1362434
12/31/12 07:30 PM
12/31/12 07:30 PM
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Posts: 12,481
Chino Valley
RodStRace Offline
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RD, again best wishes...
Now, I'd suggest talking to your adjuster/agent.
They may have dealt with this sort of thing before and would have a vested interest in your saving any parts!

I would NOT use any polish, steel wool or other abrasives on fresh chrome! Maybe contact your chromer and ask them!

Last edited by RodStRace; 12/31/12 07:32 PM.
Re: How to clean fire soot off of chrome parts [Re: Rhinodart] #1362435
12/31/12 07:44 PM
12/31/12 07:44 PM
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Tennessee
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meep_meep Offline
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Tennessee
I would just use some dawn dish soap and a sponge/rag...the soot should just wipe right off...

Re: How to clean fire soot off of chrome parts [Re: meep_meep] #1362436
12/31/12 08:07 PM
12/31/12 08:07 PM
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Ontario, Canada
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Stanton Offline
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Try those "Magic Pads", they're even available at the dollar store.

"The secret behind these types of erasers is a material commonly called melamine foam. With just a little water, melamine foam can dig in and destroy stains that other products can't touch."

They're fine enough that they absolutely will not harm chrome - this I know for a fact. For the price, they're definately worth trying and I'll bet they solve your problem.

Re: How to clean fire soot off of chrome parts [Re: Stanton] #1362437
12/31/12 08:49 PM
12/31/12 08:49 PM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,052
Salem
Grizzly Offline
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Salem
x2 for the steel wool. And it won't hurt the chrome.

1. I've used it to take overspray off chrome bumpers. Works great and polishes the bumper at the same time.

2. I use it daily cleaning the ceramic glass window in my fireplace. Other than heavy creosoot it cleans the glass perfect.

If steel wool won't budge it, you can move up to a brass-wire brush on an electric drill.

Good luck, Rhino!


Mo' Farts

Moderated by "tbagger".
Re: How to clean fire soot off of chrome parts [Re: Grizzly] #1362438
12/31/12 10:20 PM
12/31/12 10:20 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,969
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart Offline OP
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Thanks guys, lots of good suggestions! I know I have hours of elbow grease to use up...


The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.

JB Rhinehart, Realist

A-Body's RULE!
Re: How to clean fire soot off of chrome parts [Re: Rhinodart] #1362439
12/31/12 10:29 PM
12/31/12 10:29 PM
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Posts: 651
USA
Rollin Hand Offline
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Submerge the parts in Schlitz.

Re: How to clean fire soot off of chrome parts [Re: Rollin Hand] #1362440
01/01/13 12:04 AM
01/01/13 12:04 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,969
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart Offline OP
Rhinotruck
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Quote:

Submerge the parts in Schlitz.




There will be SOME things soaked in Schlitz, Fallstaf, and Strohs...


The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.

JB Rhinehart, Realist

A-Body's RULE!
Re: How to clean fire soot off of chrome parts [Re: RodStRace] #1362441
01/01/13 01:30 PM
01/01/13 01:30 PM
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,343
SE PA.
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QuickBpBp Offline
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Quote:

RD, again best wishes...
Now, I'd suggest talking to your adjuster/agent.
They may have dealt with this sort of thing before and would have a vested interest in your saving any parts!







Sorry to hear about the fire and the damage. After reading this...Were the parts insured? My insurance company said I will have to look elsewhere since they insure automobiles the parts must be on it and insured for full value. Anything that is not on the car is not insurable. Do they have restoration insurance for cars in progress? Sorry to ask on your thread but figured someone reading may know....

Re: How to clean fire soot off of chrome parts [Re: QuickBpBp] #1362442
01/01/13 01:55 PM
01/01/13 01:55 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 42,714
Spokane Washington
ScottSmith_Harms Offline
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Jim, as a secondary process if the soot doesn't all come off or the chrome is scorched.....Most good chrome shops can put the parts through a reverse chrome process, remove the chrome only, give the parts a quick buff and shine, and rechrome them pretty cheaply since all the real work is the processes below the chrome. Maybe take them to the chrome shop that did them for an estimate.

Re: How to clean fire soot off of chrome parts [Re: ScottSmith_Harms] #1362443
01/01/13 09:56 PM
01/01/13 09:56 PM
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Not2farfromNashville, TN
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Rug_Trucker Offline
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Not2farfromNashville, TN
Pinesol?


"The only thing to do for triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing"

"NUNQUAM NON PARATUS!"
Re: How to clean fire soot off of chrome parts [Re: Rug_Trucker] #1362444
01/02/13 01:14 AM
01/02/13 01:14 AM
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,319
Chicago Burbs
sthemi Offline
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Chicago Burbs
Jim,
dont use any abrasive or any chrome cleaner,

Try pure carnuba wax (with no cleaner)

next is industrial strength Amonia(sp) window cleaner.

last resort for home chemicals is MEK (used to clean paint and crud off printing press rolls.. This stuff stinks to high heaven but really works.. (use gloves as well).

Or try to find a production/ paint, polishing shop that has a dip tank of Trichlorethylne and soak them for a few minutes.

Last edited by sthemi; 01/02/13 01:26 AM.
Re: How to clean fire soot off of chrome parts [Re: sthemi] #1362445
01/02/13 01:12 PM
01/02/13 01:12 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,975
British Columbia
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chrisf Online content
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being a media blaster and doing smoke/fire damage i can say soda will take off all the ugly stuff without hurting your chrome. It will also get it off your glass and trim parts as well. wont cost alot to do it depending on your blaster

Re: How to clean fire soot off of chrome parts [Re: Rhinodart] #1362446
01/02/13 07:37 PM
01/02/13 07:37 PM
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Posts: 170
Fox River Grove, IL
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HotRodRailroader Offline
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Fox River Grove, IL
Contact a fire restoration service who would normally clean your home. They can most likely get you the perfect chemical cleaner for you. Soot is mostly comprised of carbon and oils keep that in mind and use mild degreasers before chemical SIMPLE GREEN is what I use the most.

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