Never use steel wool !!!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Grumpy old man** · 02-22-2014, 05:14 PM

I just keep reading posts where someone cleaned a part for sale or their vent windows /door handles /bumper/trim using steel wool . DON'T DO IT it will leave microscopic pieces of steel stuck in your chrome and the rust will return fast and worse , Use BRONZE WOOL work just the same as steel but will not increase rust , It heats up and self lubricates and has been used by yachtsmen on sailing ships on a salt water enviroment for a long time cleaning all the bright work on sail boats and it works great , you can buy it online or one of the home stores in the paint /varnish area ...save your chrome use bronze !

Hawghauler · 02-22-2014, 06:02 PM

Better yet, use aluminum foil. It will fill in the pits with shiny aluminum and help resist rust, if only a little. Also won't scratch the chrome doin it.

gipper · 02-22-2014, 06:35 PM

Great tips guys. Thanks!

**Stocker** · 02-22-2014, 09:06 PM

I haven't heard or used bronze wool -- I'll have to keep my eyes open for it. As to aluminum foil, YMMV but it didn't work nearly as well for me as steel wool. BTW if using steel wool it's very important to use only 0000, the finest grade available. Anything less will leave scratches. I have yet to see scratches or rapid rusting after using 0000. Just my experiences, again YMMV.

hugger6933 · 02-22-2014, 09:07 PM

I always heard to lube it with Coke[as in cola] and the acid that is in it makes the process easier.

**Ol Blue K20** · 02-22-2014, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stocker

I haven't heard or used bronze wool -- I'll have to keep my eyes open for it. As to aluminum foil, YMMV but it didn't work nearly as well for me as steel wool. BTW if using steel wool it's very important to use only 0000, the finest grade available. Anything less will leave scratches. I have yet to see scratches or rapid rusting after using 0000. Just my experiences, again YMMV.

Sticker...I don't want to sound dumb... but what is YMMV?

BrianG · 02-22-2014, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

Sticker...I don't want to sound dumb... but what is YMMV?

x2

litew8 · 02-22-2014, 11:55 PM

YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary another way of saying "your results may vary, and will be based on your individual capacity, expertise, and level of desire. There are no guarantees, promises, representations and/or assurances concerning the level of success you may experience."

**Stocker** · 02-23-2014, 12:10 AM

^ Nailed it!! Thanks

**Ol Blue K20** · 02-23-2014, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by litew8

YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary another way of saying "your results may vary, and will be based on your individual capacity, expertise, and level of desire. There are no guarantees, promises, representations and/or assurances concerning the level of success you may experience."

Thanks for the info

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stocker

^ Nailed it!! Thanks

I didn't spell sticker I spelled Stocker my smartphone changed it...sorry

**Stocker** · 02-23-2014, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

I didn't spell sticker I spelled Stocker my smartphone changed it...sorry

I wasn't worried.... believe me I've been called a lot worse!

Daman · 02-23-2014, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stocker

I haven't heard or used bronze wool -- I'll have to keep my eyes open for it. As to aluminum foil, YMMV but it didn't work nearly as well for me as steel wool. BTW if using steel wool it's very important to use only 0000, the finest grade available. Anything less will leave scratches. I have yet to see scratches or rapid rusting after using 0000. Just my experiences, again YMMV.

What he said. 0000 aught for all chrome, aluminum on my Harley to bumpers, grills on my vehicles

The only time I don't is if there are visible pits

70LonghornCST · 02-23-2014, 12:30 PM

Great information!

67ChevyRedneck · 02-23-2014, 01:09 PM

Do you know what else you don't use steel wool on? PAINT. My wife (GF at the time) thought she would clean her car (I usually did it for her). She couldn't get the bird poop off the hood easily so she used steel wool. She's not allowed to wash the cars anymore.

vidman · 02-23-2014, 01:24 PM

The same reason why you use a ss wire brush when welding stainless steel..

**Stocker** · 02-23-2014, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Do you know what else you don't use steel wool on? PAINT. My wife (GF at the time) thought she would clean her car (I usually did it for her). She couldn't get the bird poop off the hood easily so she used steel wool. She's not allowed to wash the cars anymore.

Smart girl, she got out of washing cars forever and got a ready volunteer to take over the duty!

67ChevyRedneck · 02-23-2014, 03:56 PM

Makes you wonder, don't it?

02-22-2014, 05:14 PM	#1
Grumpy old man Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gods country East,Tn Posts: 8,545	Never use steel wool !!!! I just keep reading posts where someone cleaned a part for sale or their vent windows /door handles /bumper/trim using steel wool . DON'T DO IT it will leave microscopic pieces of steel stuck in your chrome and the rust will return fast and worse , Use BRONZE WOOL work just the same as steel but will not increase rust , It heats up and self lubricates and has been used by yachtsmen on sailing ships on a salt water enviroment for a long time cleaning all the bright work on sail boats and it works great , you can buy it online or one of the home stores in the paint /varnish area ...save your chrome use bronze !

02-22-2014, 06:02 PM	#2
Hawghauler Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Whidbey Island/Edmonds,WA Posts: 360	Re: Never use steel wool !!!! Better yet, use aluminum foil. It will fill in the pits with shiny aluminum and help resist rust, if only a little. Also won't scratch the chrome doin it. __________________ If I have to be on 4 wheels, It has to be a classic Chevy 1967 c10 Longbed (Hawghauler/Icy weather transport) 2003 BMW K1200GT (Rain bike) 2007 Softail Deuce (Sun bike) 2009 Ultra Classic Electra Glide (Everything else bike)

02-22-2014, 06:35 PM	#3
gipper Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Fruitport, Michigan Posts: 172	Re: Never use steel wool !!!! Great tips guys. Thanks!

02-22-2014, 09:06 PM	#4
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,576	Re: Never use steel wool !!!! I haven't heard or used bronze wool -- I'll have to keep my eyes open for it. As to aluminum foil, YMMV but it didn't work nearly as well for me as steel wool. BTW if using steel wool it's very important to use only 0000, the finest grade available. Anything less will leave scratches. I have yet to see scratches or rapid rusting after using 0000. Just my experiences, again YMMV. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

02-22-2014, 09:07 PM	#5
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,261	Re: Never use steel wool !!!! I always heard to lube it with Coke[as in cola] and the acid that is in it makes the process easier.

02-22-2014, 11:55 PM	#8
litew8 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 3,016	Re: Never use steel wool !!!! YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary another way of saying "your results may vary, and will be based on your individual capacity, expertise, and level of desire. There are no guarantees, promises, representations and/or assurances concerning the level of success you may experience." __________________ project: "my happy mess" Last edited by litew8; 02-23-2014 at 12:00 AM.

02-23-2014, 12:10 AM	#9
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,576	Re: Never use steel wool !!!! ^ Nailed it!! Thanks __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

02-23-2014, 12:30 PM	#13
70LonghornCST Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 5,775	Re: Never use steel wool !!!! Great information! __________________ 2018 Chevy Crew Cab 2006 Impala SS 1965 Plymouth Sport Fury 1970 Chevy Longhorn Bucket Seats Shoulder Belts Front Tow Hooks Factory Air Factory Speedwarning, Tach & Vaccum Factory Tilt CST Package AM/FM Radio Bumper Guards Richard 70 Longhorn CST Build Adding an AM/FM Decal

02-23-2014, 01:09 PM	#14
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Never use steel wool !!!! Do you know what else you don't use steel wool on? PAINT. My wife (GF at the time) thought she would clean her car (I usually did it for her). She couldn't get the bird poop off the hood easily so she used steel wool. She's not allowed to wash the cars anymore. __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

02-23-2014, 01:24 PM	#15
vidman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Fitchburg,Mass Posts: 737	Re: Never use steel wool !!!! The same reason why you use a ss wire brush when welding stainless steel.. __________________ 62 Willys 4wd Pickup : 72 C-10 swb 504 stroker 09 Taco 3" lift 33" tires: 90 K-5 blazer (plow truck): RIP Ross Little brother

02-23-2014, 03:56 PM	#17
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Never use steel wool !!!! Makes you wonder, don't it? __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!



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