# Can dark marks on chrome be removed? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 13, 2012, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dark-marks-on-chrome-be-removed/631382 "2012-08-13T15:06:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2012, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dark-marks-on-chrome-be-removed/631382/1 "2012-08-13T15:06:43Z")
We renovated our house three years ago and have been living in it for 2.5 years. We have hard water, as in we don’t have a softener, but the water isn’t so hard that it leaves rust stains on white fixtures. The chrome faucets etc. in the bathrooms, though, now have dark water marks on them. We haven’t been at all diligent about keeping them clean; usually I light into them with whatever bathroom cleaner is handy about once a month. Are these dark marks removable or permanent? I’ve used regular bathroom cleaner, glass cleaner, rinse agent on a dryer sheet, and am now trying a vinegar soak. I’m afraid the chrome is just going to be that way forever, though. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2012, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dark-marks-on-chrome-be-removed/631382/2 "2012-08-13T15:35:18Z")
Get some chrome polish from an auto parts store (even if your fixtures are nickel plated, which is likely). ---
**Author:** ![Coustralee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Coustralee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coustralee)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2012, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dark-marks-on-chrome-be-removed/631382/3 "2012-08-13T15:55:57Z")
id try autosol from a car place, ive found it quite effective on some things ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2012, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dark-marks-on-chrome-be-removed/631382/4 "2012-08-13T22:51:14Z")
After two applications of chrome polish, the fixtures are unchanged in all their spotty glory. Any more ideas? ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dark-marks-on-chrome-be-removed/631382/5 "2012-08-14T00:45:04Z")
Al Foil scrunched up in a ball can work you just have to be careful with scratches, that’s were the polish comes in. Used this on some chrome wheels recently and it was ok. ---
**Author:** ![Coustralee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Coustralee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coustralee)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dark-marks-on-chrome-be-removed/631382/6 "2012-08-14T15:36:50Z")
alfoil and water… or steel wool. there are some fine grades of steel wool at hardware places for polishing ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dark-marks-on-chrome-be-removed/631382/7 "2012-08-14T16:46:25Z")
Really? As far as I can tell there isn’t any buildup on the bathroom fixtures, just discoloration in the shapes of water spots. ---
**Author:** ![perfectparanoia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a5b964/32.png) [@perfectparanoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perfectparanoia)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dark-marks-on-chrome-be-removed/631382/8 "2012-08-14T17:10:01Z")
Ceramic Stovetop cleaner and a little elbow grease should do it. ---
**Author:** ![SarahT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee59a6/32.png) [@SarahT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SarahT)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dark-marks-on-chrome-be-removed/631382/9 "2015-06-01T15:30:28Z")
I have the same problem, no build up just dark water stains. Please let me know if you find a solution. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dark-marks-on-chrome-be-removed/631382/10 "2015-06-01T18:43:45Z")
I’m visualizing the Chrome icon with a snake coming out of its mouth… ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dark-marks-on-chrome-be-removed/631382/11 "2015-06-02T02:00:57Z")
I’ve cleaned chrome up pretty well with PB Blaster and 0000 steel wool. ---
**Author:** ![G0sp3l](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@G0sp3l](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G0sp3l)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dark-marks-on-chrome-be-removed/631382/12 "2015-06-02T14:54:25Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > I’m visualizing the Chrome icon with a snake coming out of its mouth… Did it just start getting clearer? [del]Volde-[/del] He-who-must-not-be-named is rising! I knew that Potter boy was lying! ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-dark-marks-on-chrome-be-removed/631382/13 "2015-06-02T15:22:04Z")
OK - since the person who called this up is looking for suggestions. > **[Wizards WIZ11011 Metal Polish, 3 oz.](https://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.com/Metal-Polish-33oz-P170017.aspx?gclid=CNzem7en8cUCFYYXHwodNlMAQA)** > > Great price on Wizards WIZ11011 Metal Polish, 3 oz. at National Tool Warehouse And I hope the link works. Wizard metal polish cotton is my fallback for tough stains on chrome. It will even remove the odd burnt rubber marks from when my boots touch the pipes on my motorcycle. It’s something like the old Never-Dull aircraft polish; a kind of impregnated cotton you pinch a small piece off and use.