Tarnish / Spots on Chrome?

[Darkanion]

I didn't want to clutter-up the "go write something up" thread any more than I already had. So, here's a separate one.

On my last trip to Colorado, I ran through some mud.. (lots of it, at different times) I've never had this problem before with spotting (I'm assuming tarnishing of some type?). But, after I got back home and washed the truck, I noticed that everywhere there had been mud (there had been a LOT of it on the side-steps) were these weird little spots.

I've had a couple of recommendations as to how to fix it. But, I thought I'd throw this out to the whole site, to see if anyone else has seen this and how to get rid of it..? When the steps are wet, the spots feel kind of "tacky" / sticky... It doesn't show real well in the pictures, but the spots are kind of a pale green in color..

Any ideas? These spots are down almost the full length of the steps, on both sides..

Oh, yeah! I've tried 409 w/ a plastic scrub brush. That seemed to lighten the spotting, but it did not remove it. I've been hoping for some sort of solution that doesn't involve removing the steps to clean them. But, if that's what it takes (the spots are all over the back of them too), then so be it!

 

[M.Cueva]

Perhaps steel wool....just a guess to scrape that crap off....

 

[Hickspanic]

I would try using a high-quality chrome polish on a buffer, or a mother's ball attatchment

 

[Draenor]

Have you tried using white vinegar?

 

[Darkanion]

I would try using a high-quality chrome polish on a buffer, or a mother's ball attatchment

"a buffer" ...? Hrmmm... You mean "hands with a cloth of some sort," right? Unfortunately, I have not invested in anything more fancy than that.. That's probably not a bad idea, though. Thanks!

 

[Darkanion]

Have you tried using white vinegar?

Other than the high-pressure nossle at the car wash and some 409 w/ a plastic brush and some elbow grease, I haven't tried much yet.. What will the white vinegar do? (I understand that it should clean it, but I'm curious 'what' it's doing, so I'll understand better any possible bad side effects.)

 

[Texas Jim]

I didn't want to clutter-up the "go write something up" thread any more than I already had. So, here's a separate one.

On my last trip to Colorado, I ran through some mud.. (lots of it, at different times) I've never had this problem before with spotting (I'm assuming tarnishing of some type?). But, after I got back home and washed the truck, I noticed that everywhere there had been mud (there had been a LOT of it on the side-steps) were these weird little spots.

I've had a couple of recommendations as to how to fix it. But, I thought I'd throw this out to the whole site, to see if anyone else has seen this and how to get rid of it..? When the steps are wet, the spots feel kind of "tacky" / sticky... It doesn't show real well in the pictures, but the spots are kind of a pale green in color..

Any ideas? These spots are down almost the full length of the steps, on both sides..

Oh, yeah! I've tried 409 w/ a plastic scrub brush. That seemed to lighten the spotting, but it did not remove it. I've been hoping for some sort of solution that doesn't involve removing the steps to clean them. But, if that's what it takes (the spots are all over the back of them too), then so be it!

If the tarnish is light GREEN...it is from copper ore...

 

[Hickspanic]

I have a buffer you can borrow. It will be a trade for some pics

 

[M.Cueva]

I have a buffer you can borrow. It will be a trade for some pics

Felix, where do you live...

 

[Draenor]

Have you tried using white vinegar?

Other than the high-pressure nossle at the car wash and some 409 w/ a plastic brush and some elbow grease, I haven't tried much yet.. What will the white vinegar do? (I understand that it should clean it, but I'm curious 'what' it's doing, so I'll understand better any possible bad side effects.)

Mineral deposits are made of calcium and salts, and they dissolve well in acid. Vinegar will get rid of the deposits without damaging the chrome. I use it to clean the bathroom fixtures in the house.