Geo
08-12-2011, 01:51 PM
Hello everyone:
I have had a chrome license plate frame on my 94 Impala SS for a number of years.
It started to rust rather soon (a year or so?) after I bought it. I don't drive the car in the winter/salt. I do, however, saran wrap the license plate (in between the chrome/metal frame and the plate itself. It's possible that the saran wrap harboured some moisture and caused it to rust. Indeed, the back of the plate frame is totally brown to a crisp with rust. The front has rust formations through out but you can still see the chrome.
Once, a detail shop sanded down the rust but that didn't last very long. It's unclear whether it's the rust from behind coming through or whether both sides simply rusted out (the backside/inside has no chrome plating, just metal).
It's doubtful that it's stainless steel and it came from one of those specialty stores that sells accessories for cars such as strobe lights, models, key chains etc.
I had wanted to to get a car dealership-type frame (not as chromy) that is made of Zinc but getting one of those with no words on it isn't easy. In the meantime I reluctantly bought another one of those chrome plate frames but before I put it on the car, I thought to perhaps spray something on it (a type of sealer to protect from moisture) to prevent it from ever rusting. I am also thinking of no longer using the saran wrap either.
CAN ANYONE RECCOMEND A TYPE OF CLEANER THAT WON'T TARNISH/DAMAGE THE CHROME PLATE FRAME (chrome wheel cleaner?) AND THAT, MORE IMPORTANTLY, WONT DAMAGE/STAIN MY BLACK BUMPER'S PAINT WHEN IT RAINS (THE COMPOUND THAT I SPRAY ON THE PLATE FRAME MAY RUN ONTO THE CAR'S PAINT WHEN RAINING OR WHEN BEING WASHED)?
I saw a couple of products that might work but that leave a residue on the metal (at least the Rust Check ones do):
KRYLON Triple Thick Crystal Clear Glaze (says great for use on metals)
http://www.krylon.com/products/triplethick_crystal_clear_glaz e/
RUST CHECK Coat & Protect water resistant corrosion protection resists moisture
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/AutoBodyRepair1/AutoBodyRustControl/PRD~0477921P/Rust+Check+Coat+%26+Protect.js p?locale=en
RUST CHECK (red can) (leaves a red color but seems to dissipate) rust inhibitator deep penetrating & long lasting bonding to metal & dispells moisture will not harm painted surfaces
http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C% 3Eprd_id=845524443300724&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=14084743 96676110&bmUID=1313182056472
http://www.rustcheck.com/rustcheck.asp
I have had a chrome license plate frame on my 94 Impala SS for a number of years.
It started to rust rather soon (a year or so?) after I bought it. I don't drive the car in the winter/salt. I do, however, saran wrap the license plate (in between the chrome/metal frame and the plate itself. It's possible that the saran wrap harboured some moisture and caused it to rust. Indeed, the back of the plate frame is totally brown to a crisp with rust. The front has rust formations through out but you can still see the chrome.
Once, a detail shop sanded down the rust but that didn't last very long. It's unclear whether it's the rust from behind coming through or whether both sides simply rusted out (the backside/inside has no chrome plating, just metal).
It's doubtful that it's stainless steel and it came from one of those specialty stores that sells accessories for cars such as strobe lights, models, key chains etc.
I had wanted to to get a car dealership-type frame (not as chromy) that is made of Zinc but getting one of those with no words on it isn't easy. In the meantime I reluctantly bought another one of those chrome plate frames but before I put it on the car, I thought to perhaps spray something on it (a type of sealer to protect from moisture) to prevent it from ever rusting. I am also thinking of no longer using the saran wrap either.
CAN ANYONE RECCOMEND A TYPE OF CLEANER THAT WON'T TARNISH/DAMAGE THE CHROME PLATE FRAME (chrome wheel cleaner?) AND THAT, MORE IMPORTANTLY, WONT DAMAGE/STAIN MY BLACK BUMPER'S PAINT WHEN IT RAINS (THE COMPOUND THAT I SPRAY ON THE PLATE FRAME MAY RUN ONTO THE CAR'S PAINT WHEN RAINING OR WHEN BEING WASHED)?
I saw a couple of products that might work but that leave a residue on the metal (at least the Rust Check ones do):
KRYLON Triple Thick Crystal Clear Glaze (says great for use on metals)
http://www.krylon.com/products/triplethick_crystal_clear_glaz e/
RUST CHECK Coat & Protect water resistant corrosion protection resists moisture
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/AutoBodyRepair1/AutoBodyRustControl/PRD~0477921P/Rust+Check+Coat+%26+Protect.js p?locale=en
RUST CHECK (red can) (leaves a red color but seems to dissipate) rust inhibitator deep penetrating & long lasting bonding to metal & dispells moisture will not harm painted surfaces
http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C% 3Eprd_id=845524443300724&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=14084743 96676110&bmUID=1313182056472
http://www.rustcheck.com/rustcheck.asp