[Healeys] Pitted chrome.

[Bob Spidell]

WD-40, i.e. 'water dispersant, 40th formulation,' was developed to 
prevent water contamination and corrosion in the nuclear warheads in 
America's Atlas ICBMs (the same booster that put John Glenn in orbit).   
It should be adequate to mitigate rusting on a repop bumper for an LBC, 
and you should be able to find a can--or a European version--in a 
typical parts store.  When you get home, wash the bumpers with any car 
wash soap, and I've heard that balled-up aluminum foil will 'scrub' rust 
from chrome (since you're gonna replace anyway, you can try it for kicks).

Side note: Years ago I was checking out a small LBC parts dealer in an 
industrial area in Campbell, CA.  The owner had a brand new, NOS Big 
Healey chrome bumper on the wall (for $300).  He complained to me that 
he couldn't sell it, because people would only buy the $100 repops.

Bob


On 8/29/2017 3:50 PM, Simon Lachlan wrote:
>
> The Paris BJ8 was over in Devon, UK, for my daughter’s wedding. Our 
> damp weather showed up one issue:-
>
> I think that a PO fitted cheap and cheerful chrome back in the days 
> when the new bumpers looked good for a couple of years then dissolved. 
> His bumpers look great most of the time....shiny and just right. BUT, 
> given a bit of damp, some areas come up with a smear of rusty brown. A 
> big enough smear to be noticeable and to jar somewhat with the 
> otherwise fairly pristine appearance of his car. Close inspection 
> reveals areas of minute pitting which give off rust.
>
> We’ll wait until the car’s back in the UK before fitting decent new 
> bumpers. Mainly because we’ll be doing the “top cowl” of the grille at 
> the same time and that’s a job and a half!!
>
> So, until then, what can he do to keep the rust/pitting under control? 
> Maybe some proprietary snake oil which will stop the oxidization and 
> seal the pitting. And another bottle of magic something or other to 
> keep the water off the snake oil....not paint surely, but some sort of 
> wax....?
>
> Any ideas? Thanks,
>
> Simon
>
>

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