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Restoring chrome faucets damaged by cleaning fluid

March 20, 2009

Hi we have used a cleaning fluid on our chrome taps and basically ruined them. They have gone patchy brown where the acid or alkaline has burnt into them. Is there a way to bring them back with some form of polishing?
I hope you can help us as it will be expensive to replace all of them.
Cheers
Mark

Mark Bartlett
member of the public - Esher, England

Hi, Mark. If they are rusting, the plating is now sufficiently porous that air and water can reach the substrate. Replating or replacement is the only real option, although waxing might give a measure of protection for a very short time. You didn't mention what the "cleaning fluid" was, but I hope it wasn't muriatic acid [affil links], which in my opinion has no place in a residence.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
March 27, 2009

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