I have some old center consoles from 1965 Mustangs, and I’m cleaning them up and trying to restore them as best I can. The metal insert parts are (I’m assuming) chrome plated, and the metal has a pitted and corroded appearance.
After cleaning it off, I took a Dremel wire-wheel to some of the corroded areas. Before and after. But the pitting still is very noticeable under direct light.
Is there a way of removing it completely? I’ve got nothing but time.
Getting rid of a pit is like trying to get rid of a hole in the ground. It has to be filled in, not scrubbed or cleaned.
I think your best bet, short of sending it out to be re-chromed or powder coated is going to try hitting it with some chrome colored spray paint. I have no idea how well it work, if it all. I think, your best bet, if you were to go that route, would be to search some hobby/modeling forums or car restoration forums and see what they suggest.
If it’s a surface you don’t touch much, see if there’s a plasti-dip color that will work. It leaves a slightly rubbery texture, so you wouldn’t want it in a spot that your hand was constantly on. Also, it peels off, so if you don’t like it you could remove it without too much trouble.
TLDR: Maybe spray paint it?