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Posted by: Pat Garvey Aug 17 2006, 08:31 PM

My rear license holder hadn't been off the car for about 15 years. Looked OK on the front, but I didn't realize that the back was rusting! And, the rust was accumulating on my chrome bumper.

At first glance, I was afraid the holder had broken through the plating on the bumper, since the rust was caked. So I pulled out my old standby - Simichrome.

No bumper rust, but for the first time I had to use my Dremel with the Simichrome. See the results for yourself - I'm happy!


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Posted by: tod914 Aug 17 2006, 10:02 PM

wow looks brandy new ill have to get some of that stuff

Posted by: johannes Aug 18 2006, 02:27 PM

WOW ! this is magic. Can you tell us more about this simichrome thing ?
Price, where to find, process ...

Posted by: Pat Garvey Aug 18 2006, 06:08 PM

I always got mine from the local Porsche dealer, but think it's available at PP & Automotion too. It's German (naturally), comes in a small tube. Little bit goes a long way. The tube in the attached photo is over 10 years old. You should be able to find it a motorcycle shopps too. Works wonders on pot metal, aluminum, chrome, raw steel, brass, etc. I've been using it since '73. Remeber, a little goes a long way.

See the attached first photo - used less for this part than you'd put on your toothbrush. Non-toxic, has some ammonia & very fine particulate abrasives in it.

Second phot is when I got crazy & took it to my headlight motors - too shiney - let them go back to zebra stripes!



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Posted by: johannes Aug 19 2006, 10:14 AM

How does it actually work ?
Is that paint or something ?
Is it polish ?

Posted by: Pat Garvey Aug 19 2006, 08:06 PM

It is NOT a paint.
It IS a polish, containing ammonium oleate ( which is used in fruit polishing and insecticides - it's bio-effects are minimal from my understanding).
It appears (my estimation) to eliminate oxidation and preserve to a degree from future rapid re-oxidation of virtually all metals.
Produced by a German comapny named Happich.
Through the years I've used it on virtually everything - it even removes metal stains from porcelin(sp) sinks. It's been a wonder product for me for years.

I remember that motorcycle guys (of which I am not) loved it because it turned thier engine cases to a chrome-like appearance.

Simichrome effects are different from metal to metal. Iron-based metals will hold its shine longer than non-ferrous metals, but the initial effect is the same - brilliant finish.

Years ago & don't ask me why I tried this I took the motor & trans out of my 914 & spent 2 weeks with a dremel and Simichrome polishing the cases (wish I had pics). The result was dramatic - looked like they'd been chrome plated. Used a dremel because of heavy oxidation on the aluminum & magnesium parts.

By the time I was ready to re-install them they had oxidized again and, though they looked like new, no longer had the chrome-like finish. Not so with ferrous-based parts. I have some that still look like chrome & they were done in 1980!

But.....when it comes to polishing chrome plated parts - there is no peer that I'm aware of. Takes off everything without affecting the chrome. Just plain grat product to keep around for many uses.

I've heard the a product called Flitz does just as well, but haven't used it (I don't mess with success). but would love to hear from others who have.

Posted by: johannes Aug 25 2006, 05:02 PM

Thank you very much for the very acurate explanations.

Now I understand how it works.

Excellent product.

Posted by: Pat Garvey Aug 25 2006, 07:01 PM

Johannes,

Simichrome is FAR from a new product & I've tried all the others - Mother's, Meguiars, you name it. But nothing works like this stuff. Yes, when you see the size of the tube you get, it seems small. But it takes such a small amount, that a tube lasts for years. My current tube is 12 years old, half empty & I use it on household items too (it's also great for silver polish!).

When you eventually find somehting that works perfectly, stay with it.