On the hatch, what is the metal piece - chrome or stainless? I've tried to get rid of the spider webbing with chrome cleaner and it doesn't make a dent in the flaws, which makes me think its stainless steel.

 

Post a picture of the piece to which you're referring.

 

The bar on the bottom of the photo.

 

Its not metal ..its Chromed PLASTIC ...

 

Yes ... part number 51137074020.

 

Take it off. Paint/plasti-dip black.

 

Interesting how it doesn't respond to chrome cleaner/polish.

 

If it's a plastic that stuff wont really work on it. You could try to use Mothers Plastic Polish. It's magic in a bottle. Can get it at Pep Boys.

Also, some good info about different materials and scratches: http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...PT9LCgztilu.97

 

Do you have personal experience using that Plastic Polish on the part in question?

 

Not on that specific part, no. But on other parts, yes.

 

I like to use a claybar to get the surface clean and shiny again! Works fabulous!

 

Works great on paint but not on chrome.

 

This is an example of Claybar I used on chrome. It really did work wonders!

 

Mine is always clean, so trying to get rid of swirls with a clay bar won't make a dent.

 

I see. The chrome I did on that project was on a vehicle that came from a more humid area and had lots of weather damage.

 

every product that has been mentioned is a polish

YES, a clay bar is a polish .. a very fine compound of abrasive that will scrub off stuck on crud leaving a smooth finish .. smooth equals "shine" ... clay has the added advantage of catching the crud while wet sanding washes it off . . .

I'm trying to think of a part on either of my MINIs that was either chromed metal or stainless . . . . everything I think of was plastic coated plastic . . . or painted and clear coated

btw .... my 79 HAS chromed metal bits, and clay works good there too . . .

 

Thank you for the great explanation! Appreciate all the information