At one time, most car bumpers were made of steel. Then, most were made of chrome or a chrome-plated material. Today, car bumpers can be made from anything from chrome-plated material to a variety of different rubber materials or plastics. This makes detailing car bumpers somewhat more complicated, as bumpers made from different materials require very different detailing treatments.For the purposes of this article, we will assume that your car bumper is chrome-plated. Detailing a chrome-plated bumper requires a bit of patience and a light sanding touch, but it is certainly something that even the most casual car owner can accomplish in a day or less.The primary enemy of chrome-plated bumpers is oxidation (rust). The longer you allow rust spots to remain on your bumper, the more difficult the detailing process is going to be.
Instructions
1. Wash your bumper with warm water and a mild soap, and then rinse off thoroughly. This will reveal where all the rust problems are located and how severe they are. If chrome-plating is flaking off, it is too late for you to successfully detail your bumper. Your only recourse is to live with the shabby look of your bumper or to remove your bumper and take it to a re-plating company. If chrome is not flaking off of your bumper, then proceed to the next step.
2. Scrub your bumper with a household steel wood soap pad. BE GENTLE and use plenty of water. While the soap will act as a lubricant to keep the steel wool from scratching the surface of your chrome, you MUST exercise caution and use lots and lots of water. If the soap washes out of your steel wool pad, toss it away and start with a fresh one. Concentrate on areas with rust spots, gently scrubbing until the spots are removed.
3. Use your toothbrush and a little Soft Scrub cleanser to get into any folds or tight places that your steel wool soap pad can not reach. Use caution and work slowly, as the Soft Scrub may work a lot faster than you may think and cause your chrome to scratch. Rinse frequently with lots of water.
4. Rinse your bumper thoroughly and wash with a mild soap, using only your hands. Rinse off thoroughly and pat dry with a soft cotton cloth (T-shirt material is good for this). Use your steel wool soap pads to touch up any remaining spots. Then, give your bumper a final rinse and pat dry.
5. Apply chrome polish. Use sparingly and rub on gently, using a soft cotton cloth such as an old T-shirt. Follow the chrome polish manufacturer's instructions for prep time and directions. Buff with a CLEAN soft cotton cloth. Your chrome bumper should now look as good as new!
