Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test

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Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test
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Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test

Motorcycle: cleaning and care
Chrome care products for motorcycles

Swabian rapper “50 cents” only lets Ms. Pfleiderer look at his jewelry. This test of chrome care products and scratch removers clarifies which stuff motorcyclists should take to care for glittering and sparkling components.

06/08/2011

Of course, our ancestors were also eyed people and liked it when their vehicle sparkled and glittered. But the concentrated appearance of chrome-plated parts in the early days of motorization initially had a much more banal reason than a desire for favor: simple surface protection was required. And chrome did this job excellently as a fairly hard metal coating. But the high-quality chrome plating of metal parts was and is a very laborious and above all time-consuming procedure.

A typical three-layer structure looks like this: The bare and meticulously degreased metal part ends up in a bright copper bath for several hours and is electrolytically given a copper layer 120 My (120 thousandths of a mm) thick. The soft copper fills in unevenness and serves as a carrier material. Then it goes into a nickel bath for a long time, in which the thing is given a 50 micron thin layer of nickel that is used to build up the shine. Finally, a short chrome bath (which is not shiny silver, but rusty-brown, since chrome looks like large, reddish-brown oat flakes) creates a five micron thick layer of chrome.

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So it’s understandable why chrome went out of fashion with increasing mass motorization. This saved production costs, and where chrome previously had to protect, plastic and plastic coatings now do a cheaper and not necessarily worse job.

But with the appearance of the chopper shaft at the latest, chrome plating celebrated its renaissance in the motorcycle sector and less and less had to protect, but only to decorate. Vaporized onto plastic parts often has little in common with the classic chrome plating described above. But regardless of whether it is conventionally constructed or simply vapor-deposited: Chrome-plated surfaces need to be cared for. This has been done with pastes that contain abrasive components (i.e. abrasives) to put an end to flash rust, scratches, blind spots and rust pimples. For just as long, users have been annoyed by mostly white marks that get stuck in gaps after polishing. A fact that explains the more than 30 years of success of a polishing floss like Nevr-Dull in this country, which has had competition for some time.


Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test


Herder

Creme de la Chrom: The slightly battered handlebar of a 1977 Hercules HR2 serves as a test field, among other things.

There has always been healthy competition for classic pastes, so it is not surprising that MOTORRAD easily got 13 chrome care products for this story in only four stores. From then on, the editorial garage served as a test laboratory; The vehicle of the MOTORRAD fleet, blessed with the most rusty chrome parts, had to serve as a test victim: the legendary Hercules Hobby-Rider HR2, a moped chrome orgy from the blazing 1970s (which is to appear in MOTORRAD CLASSIC in the distant future).

Where chrome is dull and rust is blooming, (paint) scratches are usually not far away. And with what do you get to grips with them? Correct: with scratch removers, a very young species. Where previously lacquer pencils and, a little later, wax pencils were supposed to remove traces, more and more care product manufacturers are now relying on sets that include “easier and faster application”, “Professional quality” or the promise “Removes even deeper scratches” advertise. The goal is always the same, namely to align scratches, i.e. microscopic mountains and valleys, to such an extent that they no longer offer the light any refraction points, i.e. no longer attract the human eye as unpleasant.

This can be achieved by using the “mountains” removes and / or the “Valleys” replenishes. Filling up with wax, for example, is a cheap, but unfortunately time-limited solution – after a few rain trips or washes, the scratches are back. The removal is a long-term problem treatment, but technically much more demanding. The scratch removers are divided into two camps: the “Single-medium non-grinder” and the “Two-center pre-grinder”.


Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test


Herder

Scratch dream: a brand new Triumph sheet steel tank is tormented with a screwdriver.

The first group includes A1 Nano Scratch Polish and the Nigrin Scratch Remover. While the Nigrin product does not differ in its effect from a standard polishing agent – at least not on the scratched Triumph tank – A1 relies on synthetically produced and therefore equally large polishing bodies that disintegrate into ever finer particles during polishing and thus practically that Imitate sanding with ever finer grit – and all of this in just one step and without extra sandpaper. What sounds great in theory also works quite well in practice. At least when it comes to finer scratches. The best results are always achieved when only the clearcoat is affected. If the base coat is damaged, the scratches will remain visible even after treatment – albeit significantly less.

The three remaining scratch removers rely on at least two work steps. There are different polishing agents for pre- and post-treatment, and for deeper scratches, the providers recommend using the enclosed wet sandpaper beforehand. What a blessing, but also a curse: Those who have the appropriate experience and work carefully enough can actually achieve results with deeper scratches that are somewhat superior to those of the A1 product. Inexperienced or gross motorists can easily do too much of a good thing and sand through to the primer – then even the best scratch remover will no longer help. Either way, if this is the first time with the “Two-center pre-grinders” from Quixx, Secu or Sonax, you should definitely practice handling the sandpaper beforehand on a surface that doesn’t really matter – an old moped or the neighbour’s car, for example, are grateful test objects.

Regardless of whether it is a chrome care product or a scratch remover: the result largely depends on the user. Whoever does not follow the instructions for use (let it dry on – yes or no?), Always works in a nice and relaxed circle instead of vigorously across the board (see interview) or – which would be the biggest sin of care – with dirty and / or unsuitable rags more instead of fewer scratches produced, will not ensure a shiny appearance even with the best care products. The human being is by far the most important link in the care chain. Know that too “50 cents” and Mrs. Pfleiderer.


Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test


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MOTORCYCLE purchase tip: Autosol Edel Chromglanz

providers: Dursol factory Otto Durst GmbH & Co. KG, Tel. 0212/27180, www.autosol.de
price: 3.80 / 3.45 euros (RRP, paid to Detlev Louis)
Filling quantity / scope of delivery: Tube, 75 ml

use:
Soft consistency; very little effort required for application and polishing; very little time required.

fertility:
Very good, you don’t need a lot, the consistency goes well with it.

effect:
Very well. Slight oxidations or larger rust pimples – Autosol easily removes everything.

Conclusion:
The very easy-to-use and first-class product is a real classic, and rightly so. The price-performance ratio is excellent.

MOTORRAD verdict: very good


Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test


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Chrome-Magic chrome polish

providers: Autec GmbH, Tel. 07635/822041, www.autec-vertrieb.de
price: 10.95 / 10.95 euros (RRP, paid to Detlev Louis)
Filling quantity / scope of delivery: Jar, 250 ml

use:
Very soft consistency; Normal effort required for application and polishing, higher to very high for larger rust pimples; time expenditure normal to slightly higher.

fertility:
Satisfactory to good; the consistency tempts you to use it a bit wastefully, as a lot of it gets stuck in the cloth.

effect:
Good to very good with normal surface rust; with larger rust pimples sufficient to satisfactory.

Conclusion:
With its very soft, almost liquid consistency, it is a decent alternative to the classic chrome care pastes. Well worth the self-experiment.

MOTORRAD verdict: good


Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test


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Luster lace polishing tapes

providers: Profi Products, Tel. 06306/70170, www.profi-products.de
price: 12.95 / 12.95 euros (RRP, paid to Detlev Louis)
Filling quantity / scope of delivery: Box with 14 polishing tapes (each about 400 mm long and 12 mm wide)

use:
The impregnated textile straps are very robust and allow the processing of round material (in this size especially spokes) with little to very little effort; time expenditure normal.

Fertility:
Good – the tapes get dirty very quickly on the outside, but their effect only diminishes slowly and can be re-impregnated.

effect:
Good on normally oxidized parts; Sufficient for larger pimples.

Conclusion:
Simplified z. B. wire spoke care. Also available in 20 and 30 mm (handlebar, exhaust). Also gets to hidden places, hardly leaves behind “sense”.

MOTORRAD verdict: good


Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test


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Luster pad

providers: Profi Products, Tel. 06306/70170, www.profi-products.de
price: 9.95 / 9.95 euros (RRP, paid to Detlev Louis)
Filling quantity / scope of delivery: Box with 86 g polishing cotton

use:
Cotton strand soaked in a lot of detergent; Difficult to tear off, easier to cut off; drips when pressed harder; slightly higher effort required; time expenditure normal to possibly a little higher.

fertility:
good to very good, the polishing pad is very robust.

effect:
Good to very good with normal surface rust; with larger rust pimples sufficient to satisfactory.

Conclusion:
Quite a good alternative to the classic Nevr-Dull polishing floss. A little more expensive at the beginning, but can be re-impregnated (59 ml 4.50 euros).

MOTORRAD verdict: good


Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test


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Nevr-Dull polishing floss

providers: Helmut Koch GmbH, Tel. 04187/3534, www.nevrdull.de
price: 7.50 / 6.95 euros (RRP, paid to Detlev Louis)
Filling quantity / scope of delivery: Can with approx. 190 g polishing cotton

use:
Cotton wool impregnated with detergent without dripping; very easy portioning; normal to slightly higher effort required; Time expenditure normal, but quite high with larger rust pimples.

fertility:
Very well; With normal use, a can usually lasts much longer than just one season.

effect:
Very good for light and normal surface rust; Sufficient for larger rust pimples.

Conclusion:
The competition for the classic has become tougher, but the US product is still unique as a cheap and very economical disposable polishing cotton.

MOTORRAD verdict: good


Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test


mps photo studio

Nigrin metal polish

providers: Inter-Union Technohandel GmbH, Tel. 06341/2840, www.nigrin.de
price: 2.99 / 2.99 euros (RRP, paid at A.T.U Auto -teile-Unger)
Filling quantity / scope of delivery: Tube, 75 ml

use:
Very soft consistency, with something “crumbly”; little to very little effort required when applying and polishing; little time required; normal for larger rust pimples.

fertility:
Okay, but consistency is a bit wasteful.

effect:
Good to very good with normal surface rust; also creates larger oxidations with a satisfactory expenditure of effort and time.

Conclusion:
Very attractive in terms of price, also convinces in terms of application, yield and effect and misses the mark “very good” just barely – the unofficial buying tip.

MOTORRAD verdict: good


Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test


mps photo studio

Procycle chrome polish

providers: Detlev Louis GmbH, Tel. 040/73419360, www.louis.de
price: 4.45 / 4.45 euros (RRP, paid to Detlev Louis)
Filling quantity / scope of delivery: Tube, 100 ml

use:
Very soft consistency, can drip a little if necessary; little to very little effort required for application and polishing; Very little time required, still low with larger oxidations.

Fertility:
Good to very good, but the soft consistency can easily lead to overdosing.

effect:
Good to very good; also creates larger oxidations with normal expenditure of force and time.

Conclusion:
The Louis house brand shows good to very good performance in all categories, is relatively cheap (100 ml tube!) And thus lands in the top field.

MOTORRAD verdict: very good


Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test


mps photo studio

Procycle polishing wax

providers: Detlev Louis GmbH, Tel. 040/73419360, www.louis.de
price: 6.95 / 6.95 euros (RRP, paid to Detlev Louis)
Filling quantity / scope of delivery: Spray can, 300 ml

use:
Liquid consistency; broad, rather difficult to dose spray jet; drips easily and hits neighboring components; relatively little effort and time required for light oxidation during application and polishing, otherwise very high.

fertility:
Satisfactory, but a lot may go wrong.

effect:
Satisfactory to good on chromium surfaces that are maximally slightly attacked, poor to sufficient for more severe oxidations.

Conclusion:
Good for quick maintenance of coarsely soiled, but not really damaged chrome surfaces. Overstrained with real oxidations.

MOTORRAD verdict: Sufficient


Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test


mps photo studio

Red and white stainless steel & Chrome gloss polish

providers: Rotweiss products Josef Zurn, Tel. 08382/89044, www.rotweiss.com
price: 9.95 / 9.95 euros (RRP, paid at Polo)
Filling quantity / scope of delivery: Tube, 150 ml

use:
Normal consistency; relatively normal effort required for application and polishing; Time required normal, but significantly increased with larger rust pimples.

fertility:
Very good, the consistency allows perfect dosage.

effect:
Good for normal surface rust, but with slight weaknesses when larger rust pimples have to be removed.

Conclusion:
Solid performance when it comes to that “normal” Chrome care goes; but does not quite come close to the top dogs in the case of larger oxidations.

MOTORRAD verdict: good


Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test


mps photo studio

Red and white polishing paste

providers: Rotweiss products Josef Zurn, Tel. 08382/89044, www.rotweiss.com
price: 5.95 / 5.95 euros (RRP, paid at Polo)
Filling quantity / scope of delivery: Tube, 100 ml

use:
Normal consistency; very little effort required for application and polishing – even with more severe oxidations; very little time required.

fertility:
Very good, the consistency allows perfect dosage.

effect:
Very good, has no problems even with larger rust pimples.

Conclusion:
Significantly stronger on chrome than the (more expensive!) Sister product. Cleans and polishes with it in the absolute top chrome care group.

MOTORRAD verdict: very good


Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test


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RS 1000 chrome polish

providers: SystemPartner Autoteile GmbH & Co. KG, Tel. 0721/625280, www.rs1000.com
price: 4.49 / 4.79 euros (RRP, paid at OBI)
Filling quantity / scope of delivery: Bottle, 250 ml

use:
Liquid consistency; high to very high effort required when applying and polishing; time required on slightly damaged surfaces normal, otherwise rather high; heavily oxidized surfaces can hardly be created with reasonable effort.

fertility:
Sufficient to satisfactory, the consistency lets a lot land in the cloth.

effect:
Satisfactory for normal maintenance work; inadequate in the case of stronger oxidation and larger rust pimples.

Conclusion:
Quite suitable for the maintenance of unaffected parts; for all work that has to do with the removal of real rust, but rather unsuitable.

MOTORRAD verdict: Sufficient


Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test


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MOTORRAD test winner: S 100 high-gloss polish

providers: Dr. O. K. Wack Chemie GmbH, Tel. 0841/6350, www.wackchem.com
price: 9.95 / 8.95 euros (RRP, paid to Detlev Louis)
Filling quantity / scope of delivery: Tube, 75 ml

use:
Normal consistency; extremely little effort required for application and polishing; very low expenditure of time.

fertility:
Very good, the perfect dosage is very easy.

Effect:
Perfect! Has no problems with larger oxidations and ensures a great, absolutely streak-free shine. Already shows a great effect with the first light application.

Conclusion:
Expensive? On the contrary: inexpensive in the literal sense of the word, because the ease of use, the very good yield and the perfect result make S100 the test winner.

MOTORRAD verdict: very good


Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test


mps photo studio

Sonax chrome- & Aluminum paste

providers: Sonax GmbH, Tel. 0800/8553201, www.sonax.com
price: 4.49 / 4.49 euros (RRP, paid at A.T.U Auto -teile-Unger)
Filling quantity / scope of delivery: Tube, 75 ml

use:
Soft, somewhat crumbly consistency; rather high effort required for application and polishing, very high effort required for larger rust pimples; Time expenditure normal to high for larger oxidations.

fertility:
Satisfactory to good.

effect:
Satisfactory to good for smaller rust pimples and dull areas, at best sufficient for more severe oxidations.

Conclusion:
Decent product for normal chrome care, but a bit disappointing in a direct comparison and as a branded product for larger tasks.

MOTORRAD verdict: Satisfactory

A1 Nano Scratch Polish


Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test


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A1 Nano Scratch Polish

providers: Dr. O. K. Wack Chemie GmbH, Tel. 0841/6350, www.wackchem.com
price: 14.95 / 14.95 euros (RRP, paid to Detlev Louis)
Filling quantity / scope of delivery: Tube, 50 ml; Press sponge, polishing cloth

use:
Very soft consistency; for deeper scratches when applying and polishing relatively high effort required; time expenditure rather low; practical that only one agent has to be applied.

fertility:
Very good, only a tiny amount is needed at a time.

effect:
Satisfactory to good; fine scratches no longer visible after a second application; but deeper scratches – albeit strongly weakened – still clearly visible.

Conclusion:
Very easy to use, best yield and a pretty decent effect on fine scratches – but this product does not work miracles either.

MOTORRAD verdict: good

Nigrin scratch remover


Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test


mps photo studio

Nigrin scratch remover

providers: Inter-Union Technohandel GmbH, Tel. 06341/2840, www.nigrin.de
price: 4.99 / 4.99 euros (RRP, paid at A.T.U Auto -teile-Unger)
Filling quantity / scope of delivery: Tube, 150 g

use:
Very soft consistency; relatively high expenditure of force and time required for application and polishing; practical that only one agent has to be applied.

fertility:
Good to very good.

effect:
Sufficient at best; fine scratches are covered somewhat, but always remain visible; completely overwhelmed with deeper scratches.

Conclusion:
A decent standard polish – nothing more, nothing less. Marketing as “Scratch remover” is quite brave.

MOTORRAD verdict: Sufficient

Quixx scratch remover


Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test


mps photo studio

Quixx scratch remover

providers: E.V.I. Vertriebs GmbH, Tel. 089/7450620, www.quixx.com
price: 12.95 / 12.95 euros (RRP, paid at Louis)
Filling quantity / scope of delivery: Tubes, 2 x 25 g; 2 polishing cloths, 4 sandpaper

use:
Very soft consistency; great effort and time required for application and polishing; two remedies usually have to be used in succession; in the case of deeper scratches, the wet sandpaper must be used beforehand.

fertility:
Very well.

effect:
Satisfactory to good; fine scratches no longer visible; deeper scratches can be clearly seen without the use of sandpaper, significantly less with sandpaper.

Conclusion:
More complex application than with A1, similarly good results. The use of sandpaper can (for inexperienced users) end in disaster – or in good results.

MOTORRAD verdict: good

Secu Vision scratch remover


Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test


mps photo studio

Secu Vision scratch remover

providers: Steuber GmbH, Tel. 08067/8830, www.steuber.de
price: 9.99 / 10.49 euros (RRP, paid at OBI)
Filling quantity / scope of delivery: Tubes, 2 x 25 g, polishing cloth, 4 sandpaper

use:
Very soft consistency; great effort and time required for application and polishing; two remedies usually have to be used one after the other; in the case of deeper scratches, the wet sandpaper must be used beforehand.

fertility:
Very well

effect:
Satisfactory to good; fine scratches no longer visible; deeper scratches can be clearly seen without the use of sandpaper, significantly less with sandpaper.

Conclusion:
The product is identical to the Quixx scratch remover; only slightly poorer equipment (one polishing cloth less), but costs significantly less.

MOTORRAD verdict: good

Sonax scratch remover set


Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test


mps photo studio

Sonax scratch remover set

providers: Sonax GmbH, Tel. 0800/8553201, www.sonax.com
price: 14.99 / 14.99 euros (RRP, paid OBI)
Filling quantity / scope of delivery: Tubes, 2 x 25 ml; 3 polishing cloths, 3 sanding pads, polishing stamp

use:
Very soft, almost liquid consistency; when applying and polishing thanks “Polishing stamp” relatively little effort required; time expenditure slightly higher (two means).

fertility:
Very well.

effect:
Good for fine scratches even without sanding; deeper scratches can still be clearly seen without prior wet sanding; much better result with grinding.

Conclusion:
Slightly better than A1 for fine scratches, slightly worse than Quixx / Secu Vision for deeper scratches; Application for laypeople may not be entirely unproblematic (grinding!).

MOTORRAD verdict: good

Final scoring


Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test


archive

* Key: 100 to 85 points = very good; 84 to 70 points = good; 69 to 55 points = satisfactory; 54 to 40 points = sufficient; 39 to 0 points = unsatisfactory

Lots of shine in the test field for chrome care products: ten out of 13 products achieve one “Good” or even “very good”. Real care junkies combine best: for example S100 or Autosol for the big picture, Luster Lace for the small bits and pieces and of course Nevr-Dull for the rest. The saver tips: Procycle and Nigrin, and you can’t go wrong with red and white either. This happens earlier with the scratch remover, because sanding is not for everyone. Who can buy z. B. Sonax, laypeople use A1.


Sparkling clean: Chrome care products in the test


Herder

The chemist Dr. Joachim Becht, 45, Head of Research and Development at Dr. O. K. Wack Chemie GmbH

“Most users just stroke”

MOTORRAD spoke to chemist Dr. Joachim Becht, 45, Head of Research and Development at Dr. O. K. Wack Chemie GmbH in Ingolstadt.

? Are chrome care products and scratch removers “complicated” Products, and how many different ingredients are actually in them?

! If you want to do it really well, yes. To paste up scratches in the short term is not a big challenge, but it is much more difficult to find a recipe to remove scratches. With ten to 15 components each you are included in the products. This includes abrasives, i.e. polishing media, but also ingredients that improve the wetting and sliding properties, remove grease, oxide strippers, gloss enhancers, preservatives – and of course water.

? How do the sometimes huge price differences come about?

! In the case of cheap products, cheap polishing pads with uneven grains are usually used. In simple words “sand”, the kilogram for just under one euro. Fully synthetic, absolutely uniform polishing bodies, which are also used, for example, in the field of microchip production (“Silicon wafer polishing”) are used, cost easily 70 to 90 euros per kilogram. The surfaces destroyed by cheap abrasives are covered with wax and oils. It can look good at first, but after a few rides in the rain you can see the difference.

? What are the typical application errors

! Too little pressure – most users just stroke while polishing. Too large areas being processed at the same time – the user loses interest. Too little patience. Wrong equipment – lambskin, for example, is completely wrong as it scratches the edge. Often, you only work in circles for too long, but working unevenly gives better results. Most important when polishing: Always work with a clean, slightly absorbent cloth. We have had the best experiences with microfiber towels.

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