OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers Advice wanted on restoring handlebars

Hello there,

I'm looking for some advice with regards to restoring some old Scott Bonnar handlebars. I think it's chrome plated steel. I could be wrong - I'm learning this stuff as I go.

After trolling google results and youtube video's on (metal polishing) I went out and got the following
* 800 grit wet/dry sand paper
* 1200 grit wet/dry sand paper
* Some grey metal polishing compound with the respective polishing wheel
* Some green metal polishing compound, again with the recommended polishing wheel.
* I've also been told using Brasso will work. I have a bottle of that floating around somewhere.

Can't afford to spend any more money so getting it electroplated (whatever that means) or rechromed isn't an option.

Any hints or tips for this kind of job?

I've seen Pcamore's excellent results with a pressure pack of White Knight Super Chrome, I think I will go down that path if I can't do anything better with the tools I've got. I�m just wondering if that will be a little soft and chip easily if I was to rub it against a bush or branches.

Thanks everyone, Paul.







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The bit with the bracket that painted you wont be able to do much about. Looks like its been welded at some stage and painted after.

I would mask it up neat and paint it. What colour would depend on the colour of the mower etc.



As for up near the handle. Try washing with detergent and a scotchbrite pad or one of those scrub buds. It should come up pretty fair. You could try polishing after that.
Keep it dry and it should stay good. A bit of WD or similar will help keep the rust away.

If you touch it with sand paper you will have to paint it or it will just rust as you will damage more chrome and expose more metal.




Bob.

hi pauly! I use meguiars nxt generation all metal- polysh it brings up alloys and chome like new! i use a stanley knife blade and washing detergent also metioned scotchbright pad to remove rust. The crome on s/b handle bars was exelent, nxt polysh will protect from rust re chroming will cost about $300 for top and bottom or replace with rower style bars diferent from scott bonnar round grips and angled lower bar to suit big b/s fuel tank cost about $180 going by your pics u have round hand grips also the bolt that conects the upper and lower bars is shorter these problems i have come to learn hope this helps steve....

Thanks Steve, thanks Bob.

Well I didn't think it would be so easy. Everthing else I've done so far involves at least a couple of hours, usually hanging onto a drill with something on the end of it

Got the rust off with soapy water and the scratchy side of a sponge.
Went down to Repco, got some metal polish and cleaned it up.

It came up well and only took a fraction of the time I was expecting.

Thanks again, really appreciate it - Paul.