Hi guys, I figured that someone here could help me. I am restoring a 1969 kawasaki j1 and the chrome pieces from either side of the gastank are rusted. I looked for replacement pieces but none looked that great. So if anyone has a trick for removing rust it would be greatly appretiated.

thanks
-MATTHEW

Depends how bad it is. If it is just surface rust, I have had great luck with WD40. What that does not take out I have used SOS pads but I do it close by running water or in the sink so I can keep the part clean. If you are too agressive it can scratch though.

Sometimes, with very light rust spotting, you can use chrome polish. All that does is remove the powdery rust that's sitting on the outside of the outer layer of chrome. If what's underneath is still relatively intact, then the part may look good enough for you. Keeping the part heavily waxed can slow the rust process for an indeterminate period of time. If you want it done right, then the only options are nicer originals or having yours stripped & re-chromed. Once rust erupts through chrome, the plating has been penetrated right down to the base steel, where the rust will inevitably spread ever further.

Thanks for the tips. I tried chrome polish but the results looked pretty poor. After some research I heard of a method using a car battery charger and metal rod. By placeing the rod and rusted part in water and turning on the charger the rust will be removed. Has anyone ever heard of this method.

thanks for the help,
-MATTHEW

It is widely known and the only times I have seen it used is to derust the inside of a gas tank or clean up bolts. This works well on Steel but I have never heard of anyone using it on chrome. I would guess that it will destroy your chrome even further than the rust has.

Thanks for the info, I'll definately stay away from the battery charger method.


-MATTHEW

Here's a good way that works well. You can get the Arm & Hammer Washing Soda at Kroger food stores.
Rust Removal Tip - Video

Thanks, i'll give it a shot.

-MATTHEW