Restoring chrome and metal finish?

[SouthPaw]

My brother recently picked a nice deal on a cheap VROD. The price was more than right but it has spent some time outside uncovered. He dropped it off at my house before he left town today and I couldn?t stand looking at it in its current condition. I spent five hours bring it back to life and it looks/runs 100x better now.

What has me hung up is the chrome, wheels and metal finishes. Being left outside, they are oxidized, hazy, worn, dull, etc. It?s mostly the engine covers, heads, wheels, swing arm, and odds/ends. I?ve googled restoring chrome/metal and have found hundreds of answers. Is 0000 steel wool and metal polish the preferred method? I?ve seen people use coke and tin foil with good results. I?m just looking for a proven method that I only have to do once. He is out of town till late Friday so I want to surprise him when he gets back. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Edit: Picture of said bike and problem areas

[brutal]

Have you tried to start simple with some chrome polish? I use it and a microfiber rag to do my truck's wheels and it does wonders. That said, I've never let them go years without a polish.

I like Mothers.

If you need to get aggressive, just move to a polishing cone wheel.

[SouthPaw]

Have you tried to start simple with some chrome polish? I use it and a microfiber rag to do my truck's wheels and it does wonders. That said, I've never let them go years without a polish.

I like Mothers.

If you need to get aggressive, just move to a polishing cone wheel.

I used Eagle Never Dull and it had almost no effect on it. I’ve had pretty good luck with that stuff in the past but I think I need something more aggressive.

[brutal]

I used Eagle Never Dull and it had almost no effect on it. I’ve had pretty good luck with that stuff in the past but I think I need something more aggressive.

I'd hit it with 0000 then. Start dry first somewhere less noticeable. Chrome is hard, 0000 steel wool shouldn't bother it at all.

[ChickNorris]

Rather than steel, I prefer to use Bronze wool on chrome.

Steel wool can leave residual particles because the finish/surface being polished is imperfect & then those particles rust from inevitable weather exposure. Looks great @ first ... disguising the insidious oxidation to come later.

Might be overkill depending on the quality, thickness, damage etc., or not. Thought I'd mention it anyway.

I know Rockler has it in 0000

[brutal]

Rather than steel, I prefer to use Bronze wool on chrome.

Steel wool can leave residual particles because the finish/surface being polished is imperfect & then those particles rust from inevitable weather exposure. Looks great @ first ... disguising the insidious oxidation to come later.

Might be overkill depending on the quality, thickness, damage etc., or not. Thought I'd mention it anyway.

I know Rockler has it in 0000

Good point. I know using steel wool on wood around coastal regions is a big no-no.

[Great-Kazoo]

Flitz .

https://www.flitz.com

[BladesNBarrels]

Flitz and simichrome are used to put a "show piece" finish on knife blades.
Don't get on painted surfaces.

[SouthPaw]

You guys reminded me I have a brand new tube of flitz in the garage. Some steel wool for an applicator? Chick made a good point but I think I’ll have better luck finding steel wool today at Wally World over bronze.

[SouthPaw]

Tackled it today and what a bear. It took a few trips to harbor freight, O’Reillys and some elbow grease. I used some flitz, blue magic metal polish, 0000 steel wool, glass cleaner and Eagle never dull. Turned out pretty well I must say. He was blown away when he picked up.