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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Chilly Willy on November 13, 2006, 11:30:48 PM

Title: Removing Rust from Mirrors
Post by: Chilly Willy on November 13, 2006, 11:30:48 PM
Hi all,

Just bought a set of SV mirrors off e-bay.  Functionally they're in great shape, but they have a bit of oxidation on the back:

(http://i17.ebayimg.com/05/i/08/cf/b1/b6_1.JPG)

What's the best way to get these polished back up and to keep them looking good?

Thanks,

Chilly
Title: Re: Removing Rust from Mirrors
Post by: seaheifer on November 13, 2006, 11:46:38 PM
Brasso? Works great on brass, I doubt it will hurt your mirrors but just a thought.  But you will probably have to coat it with something afterwords
Title: Re: Removing Rust from Mirrors
Post by: Jughead on November 14, 2006, 12:02:08 AM
If you want to completely get rid of the rust without using Elbow grease go to Auto Zone and buy a quart of Evapo rust.I will get rid of it completely without doinng damage to anything else. :thumb:
Title: Re: Removing Rust from Mirrors
Post by: makenzie71 on November 14, 2006, 12:11:56 AM
steel wool
Title: Re: Removing Rust from Mirrors
Post by: MarkusN on November 14, 2006, 02:10:29 AM
Kerosene, aluminum foil and elbow grease.

The foil does less damage to the chrome than steel wool.

NevrDull is another option.
Title: Re: Removing Rust from Mirrors
Post by: werase643 on November 14, 2006, 06:30:19 AM

What's the best way to get these polished back up and to keep them looking good?

Thanks,

Chilly


um, POLISH....
brasso/chrome polish.....
steel wool will scratch the chrome
when shiney....clear coat them with a spray bomb
Title: Re: Removing Rust from Mirrors
Post by: annguyen1981 on November 14, 2006, 06:51:31 AM
Quote from: makenzie71 on November 14, 2006, 12:11:56 AM
steel wool
+1
Title: Re: Removing Rust from Mirrors
Post by: gsJack on November 14, 2006, 07:35:58 AM
Quote from: annguyen1981 on November 14, 2006, 06:51:31 AM
Quote from: makenzie71 on November 14, 2006, 12:11:56 AM
steel wool
+1

The steel wool with soap pads like SOS or Brillo have always worked best for me for cleaning rust from chrome.
Title: Re: Removing Rust from Mirrors
Post by: gsbarry on November 14, 2006, 08:51:10 AM
STEEL WOOL..... no elbow grease required.... just rub in circular motion rust should wipe right off.
Title: Re: Removing Rust from Mirrors
Post by: natedawg120 on November 14, 2006, 11:41:15 AM
+1 to steel wool.  I have used both the steel wool with soap and cheap old steel wool with some WD-40 to get rust of bumpers and it worked like a champ.
Title: Re: Removing Rust from Mirrors
Post by: seaheifer on November 14, 2006, 11:42:45 AM
mythbusters did a show with steel wool and coke and it turned out pretty well  :laugh:
Title: Re: Removing Rust from Mirrors
Post by: Egaeus on November 14, 2006, 11:43:31 AM
It was aluminum foil
Title: Re: Removing Rust from Mirrors
Post by: seaheifer on November 14, 2006, 12:00:52 PM
Crap....well then you better use the foil  :laugh:
Title: Re: Removing Rust from Mirrors
Post by: Egaeus on November 14, 2006, 12:03:17 PM
Foil worked great removing rust spots from my front forks.
Title: Re: Removing Rust from Mirrors
Post by: Chilly Willy on November 14, 2006, 01:37:21 PM
I may have to do my own Mythbusters--one mirror with aluminium foil and the other with #0000 steel wool.  :laugh:

So some rattle can clear coat should do the trick once I get them polished up?

Chilly
Title: Re: Removing Rust from Mirrors
Post by: Jughead on November 14, 2006, 07:00:47 PM
Evaporust don't leave Scratches. :thumb: And it's reuseable for 100 Times.
Title: Re: Removing Rust from Mirrors
Post by: natedawg120 on November 14, 2006, 08:23:27 PM
but most of us poor folk have foil or steel wool at home already.  So we don't have to buy sail super secret chemical :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: Removing Rust from Mirrors
Post by: Jughead on November 14, 2006, 09:35:26 PM
True but I like Evaporust. :thumb: Oh yeah it only runs around $7.00 a Quart and Has a $3.00 rebate right now.
Title: Re: Removing Rust from Mirrors
Post by: MarkusN on November 15, 2006, 01:29:58 AM
Quote from: Chilly Willy on November 14, 2006, 01:37:21 PMSo some rattle can clear coat should do the trick once I get them polished up?

Depends on how farked up the chrome is and the storage conditions of your bike. If you usually can keep her dry just polish every now and then with a slightly oily rag. Paints and laquers don't stick too well to chrome, and they destroy the nice shine.
Title: Re: Removing Rust from Mirrors
Post by: onefastgs500 on November 17, 2006, 07:09:51 AM
steel wool is fine as long as you use #000 or #0000
Title: Re: Removing Rust from Mirrors
Post by: Chilly Willy on November 24, 2006, 06:03:24 PM
It turns out the mirrors were coated with some sort of clear-coat and the rust was mostly trapped between it and the mirrors.  I've scraped much of the clear-coat off with my fingernails alone and the mirrors are bright and shiny underneath!  Will post pics soon.

Chilly