How to remove Grey Rust?

[muzeon]

Hi all,
Just bought this rear license plate light fixture for our Fiat 500 on eBay. It's original part from 60s - early 70s. It's aluminum.

As you can see in the photo. There is a lot of aluminum oxidation (grey rust). Any idea if we can buy polishing products to remove it? Or do we have to bring it to a chrome shop to remove it, and re-chrome?

Thanks!

[pope]

I dont think you can chrome aluminum. You can polish it to look like chrome.
There is always someone somewhere that says they can, but good luck on taking the chance on that. Gords polish or Maguires Mag wheel aluminum polish are good bets for removing the oxidation.

[kmead]

Are you sure its not pot metal/white metal? Many parts from that era were and suffer from break down of the zinc eventually falling apart.

If it is aluminum, it can be polished out.

[mdrburchette]

It looks like it was painted at one time to me. I'd try cleaning it with an aluminum cleaner and polishing it. Is there an inconspicuous place you can test first?

[muzeon]

Thanks all for the great ideas. Still waiting for item in the mail. Just checked out Gord's and Maguire... may try out Gord's. From our research, most of the original pieces were aluminum. We'll try it out when we receive the item. Funny, found some chrome/plating shops who says they can chrome aluminum.

[baltobernie]

Yes, you can chrome plate both pot metal and aluminum. Here's a company I've used; there are lots of others out there. Your part is nice and small, you could ship it anywhere inexpensively. http://www.metroplating.com/moreinfo.html. Be advised that leadtimes are going to be the longest of the year, as restorers are busy over the Winter months.