I'm NOT a materials scientist... but theory and practice are two
different things. 0000 Steel wool is fine on chrome... I can not
remember a time that I have had a problem. WAX or oils, etc. prevent
rust. AS well as simply keeping the chrome item clean. I can not
imagine a destructive result from using steel wool unless the wrong
grade was used, it was contaminated with gritty material, or, perhaps,
it was used too aggresively. If in doubt, use the 3-M materials. Let's
keep in mind...CHROME is damn hard stuff...
I do suggest using any of these materials WET rather than DRY...
--Justin
Peter Zaborski wrote:
>
> I have had numerous replies to my original question about removing paint
> overspray from a chrome bumper. Steel wool was featured in a number of
> the replies. However, one lister (R. John Lye) recommended not using
> steel wool because he felt (based on his father's advice) that the steel
> would react with the chrome and facilitate rust of the chrome part down
> the road. I include John's comments below for clarification. Also, since
> I am no chemical engineer, I will heed his advice to be safe and start
> of the paint removal with just lacquer thinner and/or acetone. Then I'll
> see how it goes. Ok Here is John's note:
>
> Be careful here - *don't* use steel wool on chrome. This will
> destroy the chrome. Steel and chrome have an electrolytic
> reaction that will cause rust all over your chrome. That's
> why they put a layer of copper and a layer of nickel between
> the steel of the bumper and the chrome so as the keep them separate.
> At least this is what my father (a materials scientist) told me
> when we cleaned up a friend's hubcaps with steel wool and they
> immediately rusted as soon as they got wet.
>
> R. John Lye
>
> '59 TR-3A; '62 TR-4; '70 GT-6+
> Palmyra, VA USA
>
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