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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
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for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Green Dust on the car chrome
October 13, 2016
Q. If anyone can help, it will be greatly appreciated
I have a 1959 Corvette which I have owned for 29 years and was restored about 26 years ago. Since then I have had nothing restored apart from re chroming the rear bumpers about four years ago.
In the last nine months or so I have noticed a significant deterioration in the condition of the chrome. I polished it all two months ago and today it was pitted and looks like it had been parked at the ocean (only on the chrome).
In addition the wheel hubs have a light green dust on them which looks like pollen, but is bright green.
It appears that the chrome has aged twenty years in one year, and it includes the chrome that was only completed four years ago. The car is in the same garage as always and the other cars in the garage do not seem affected.
I called the folks who chromed the bumpers and he was very helpful but did not know the cause of the problem.
Thank You, Mike
Car collector - Windermere,Florida,USA
A. Michael,
This is a tough situation. A couple of things to look at: How is the garage cleaned? Does someone come in and mop the floors with bleach? Anyone been cleaning the car? Where are the pool chemicals stored? Any chlorine, bleach or bottles of chemicals near the car in the garage?
Blake Kneedler
Feather Hollow Eng. - Stockton, California
February 5, 2017
Q. Thanks Blake,
The only thing I have used on the floors is Simply Green, and nothing of a chemical nature is stored in the garage.
Plus the other cars seem fine, although I feel they are better since I moved the Corvette out of the garage, although that could be my imagination.
Michael
- Windermere,Florida
February 7, 2017
A. From my experience, the green patina you are seeing comes from the copper underplate, seems like the nickel plate over the copper was not thick enough or has failed.
Marvin Sevilla- Managua, Nicaragua
February 10, 2017
Q. Thank You Marvin,
Greetings from Florida
I think you are right based upon what I am learning, but my question is how can it spread so quick over most of the chrome; even the pieces done about four years ago?
Can it be in some way contagious?
Michael
- WINDERMERE,Florida
February 10, 2017
Q. I have an 06 Corvette and my girlfriend left chlorine in the garage where it was parked now the chrome rims are or have green stains on them how can I remove that from the rims?
Johnny Russell- N Richland Hills, Texas
May 16, 2017
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