How to Polish Chrome With a Dremel
by Meg Butler
Polishing chrome spokes and other small parts can be difficult without the appropriate tools. Chrome is quite soft and only a thin layer of it gets bonded to the metal. The dirtier it gets, the more vigorously you have to clean it--and the more likely you are to scratch it. The best way to avoid this damage is to keep the hard-to-access parts of your chrome polished and clean with a Dremel.
Step 1
Wash your chrome with a rag or sponge dipped in a bucket of soapy water.
Step 2
Place painter's tape on any chrome-adjacent parts that you want to avoid accidentally buffing with the Dremel's polishing pad.
Step 3
Attach the appropriately sized buff, felt bullet or cloth wheel to the Dremel.
Step 4
Add a drop or two of a commercial chrome cleaner to the area you intend to polish. Eric Ronning, author of "How to Clean Chrome" recommends Flitz Stainless Steel & Chrome Cleaner, Mothers Chrome Cleaner, Turtle Wax Chrome Polish or Bar Keeper's Friend.
Step 5
Turn the Dremel tool on and set it to rotate at the low and middle speeds--between 12000 and 24000 rpms.
Step 6
Polish the chrome by gently pressing the buffing pad against the chrome. Add more drops of chrome cleaner as your previous application is buffed away.
References
Things You'll Need
- Polishing pad
- Chrome cleaner
- Rag
- Soap
- Bucket
- Painter's tape
Writer Bio
Based in Houston, Texas, Meg Butler is a professional farmer, house flipper and landscaper. When not busy learning about homes and appliances she's sharing that knowledge. Butler began blogging, editing and writing in 2000. Her work has appered in the "Houston Press" and several other publications. She has an A.A. in journalism and a B.A. in history from New York University.
