Polishing small chrome bits, Tips and Tricks? Options

[bbrock]

Okay, I just got a quote for re-chroming inner and outer door handles, early window crank bases, and the side mirror mount and post of $800. All of a sudden I'm seeing the minor blemishes on the parts as "charming patina." (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Plan B is to just polish them up as best I can. They are all in pretty good shape. Mostly I'd like to get rid of some fine scratches on the outer door handles if possible (Looks like maybe they were cleaned with a scrubber sponge at some point). Anyone have suggestions on buffing wheels, compounds, techniques, etc.? I already went over most of the parts with Mother's which, of course, shined up the chrome but door handles will need a little more aggressive polishing I think.

[mepstein]

I doubt rouge goes bad with age.
I have both a hf grinder and buffer. The buffer has a different shaft than the grinder. They were each less than $40 and I’ve used them for years. They are fine for home hobbies.
The chrome pipes on my 1974 motorcycles were rusty and dull. I used aluminum foil with some water to polish. Turned out great but I was going for shiny from 3 feet, not show chrome.

Below is before and after.

[Superhawk996]

I doubt rouge goes bad with age.

I see someone is an Italian bike fan (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif) Guessing Guzzi or Ducatti. I have a set of Lafranconi pipes on my Guzzi. Those turned out real nice given the starting point.

I've never seen any of my compounds go bad, and I have some that are at least 10 years old.

At the core of it, they are a compound of grease / wax and the abrasive. The heat of contact with the wheel melts them onto the buff. Abrasive then does the work.

When I said get a buffing wheel rake and fresh compound helps, I meant within that application. Keep plenty of freshly applied compound on the wheel. Let the wheel do the work. When it doesn't cut as well, rake the wheel, and then apply more componund.