Before you startGeneral guidance from our members' experience, checked against the sources listed at the foot of this page. Old bicycles vary, so check everything against your own bike. Brakes, steering, wheels and tyres are safety-critical: if you're not sure, have a qualified mechanic do or check the work. Any work you do is at your own risk. See our terms.
What you needKitchen foil, warm soapy water, two microfibre cloths, a wax such as Renaissance Wax, and (optional) metal polish.
Don't useWire wool or steel wool, acid rust removers, harsh abrasive pads, polish on flaking chrome, or heavy pressure on pitted areas.
- Wash firstRemove all dirt and grit before you touch the chrome. Grit is what scratches.
- Foil and soapy waterTear off a small piece of foil, dip it in warm soapy water and rub lightly in small circles. This is a method many restorers use: aluminium foil is much softer than chrome plating, and dark residue comes away as the rust lifts.
- Wipe and lookWipe clean with a dry microfibre cloth. Pitting that's left is damage to the plating itself, and no polish will fix it.
- Polish, if you want toA very little metal polish brings up the shine. Go gently: the plating is thin. Autosol is sold for chrome, but the Museum of Fine Arts Boston's conservation database says it isn't recommended for electroplated surfaces, so use it sparingly, if at all.
- Protect itFinish with a thin coat of wax to keep moisture off. Renaissance Wax was developed in the British Museum's research laboratories, and its maker says it gives highly efficient moisture resistance.
Our results: a lamp set
Garry's front and rear lamps, cleaned with kitchen foil and then polished with Autosol, used sparingly.
Photos: Garry Gregory.
Flaking chromeDon't polish it. Flaking means the plating has failed, and cleaning speeds up the loss. Have it replated, or leave it as patina.
Keep it off the brakesKeep polish and wax off rim braking surfaces and brake blocks.
Sources
Checked 19 October 2026. Method tips without a source are our members' experience.