02WH4433

Hi, this is my first post since joining and thought I'd share my success at restoring the bumper chromes on my D2 A8.





After various attempts with various cleaners and polishes,I decide to bite the bullet and get serious. Firstly I made sure that I could get a replacement should I make a mess of it.

So here was my process after a bit of trial and error on one small area.

1. what you'll need.

320 sandpaper
600 sandpaper
steel wool
100 sandpaper
WD 40
AutoGlym metal polish and or a heavy rubbing compound.
Insulating tape

Mask off the area with insulating tape (heavier than masking tape.)

Spray the area with WD40

Gently rub the chrome back and forth with 320 paper. You will start to see the surface become consistent which means the coating on the chrome is now stripped.

Repeat the process with 600 paper and then either steel wool or 1000 paper.

Remember to use plenty of WD40 as you go. Acts as a lubricant and helps with a more consistent finish.

Clean off the area and then squeeze some metal polish or heavy rubbing compound onto a cloth. I used an old but clean microfibre cloth.
As with any aluminium you polish, the surface and cloth will get really black.
The more you buff with a cloth the better the finish.

I then sprayed WD40 on a cloth and rubbed on the chrome as a protector.

Will require some periodic polishing, but hey, that's what car enthusiasts are all about.

Razman

That looks sharp! Good job.