Do you have rust creeping up on metal surfaces, a chrome finish item or even metal furniture? Before you toss it or give up, read this method for how to remove rust from chrome and get rust off metal surfaces. It might just be easier than you think!
About a month back, I dragged the kids out of bed early one Saturday morning to go yard saleing.
Yes, saleing is a word.
That’s when I got the paper sorter that became a rainbow.
Before I found the paper organizer, well before I even got out of the neighborhood, I also found a leopard print rug for $5, a rattan side table for $2, and a mid-century modern chair with chrome plating for $2.
We had to make a pit stop back home before proceeding with yard saleing.
The rug was in great shape, I had to fix a leg on the table, but I was worried that the chair might have been a total waste. There were more rust spots covering it than not.
This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
Here’s a closer shot…
Rusty areas were pretty much all over the entire chair.
I almost just tossed the chair, but then I remembered how Bar Keeper’s Friend had cleaned up the hardware on the radio turned bar cabinet so nicely. I decided to give it a whirl (and a lot of elbow grease) and ended up with this…
What I got was a sparkling, pretty much rust-free mid-century modern chair.
Y’all, I was shocked. Grunt Labor saw it and said “It doesn’t even look like the same chair.”
If he’s impressed, then its a win.
Want to revive your metal furniture too? Here’s how to remove rust from metal furniture, chrome surfaces and more.
How to Get Rust off Metal
Supplies Needed:
- Old Cleaning Cloth
- Bar Keeper’s Friend
- Rubber Gloves are suggested, even though I didn’t wear them. Do as I say, not as I do.
- Clean Water
- Clean Dry Cloth
- Heavily rusted areas may also require steel wool.
Step 1:
Dampen your cleaning cloth with water a bit and shake a little Bar Keeper’s Friend onto it.
Rub the cloth together to create a sort of paste.
Step 2:
Using a circular motion, scrub down any metal areas that have rust.
As you scrub, you will see your rag start to turn brownish-red from the rust that is coming off. Stop every once in a while, rinse the rag out, reload with more Bar Keepers Friend, then repeat the scrubbing process.
Step 3:
If you find that some of the rust spots aren’t coming up with just the cloth and Bar Keepers friend alone, use steel wool in combination with the Bar Keepers friend on those tougher areas.
Step 4:
After you have removed all the rust, wipe the areas you cleaned down with a clean, wet cloth, followed by a clean dry cloth to avoid water marks.
Ready for some side by side before and after action?
I spent about an hour total removing rust from this chair, however I will say it was well worth it.
The rust on the ends of chair back just wouldn’t budge. I think they may have been made of something other than metal.
There were also some tiny spots in the nook there that wouldn’t come off, but overall Bar Keeper’s Friend proved once more that it is a miracle product. In my opinion, anyway.
No more worrying about getting rust stains on your clothes when you sit in this chair! It also did a heck of a job polishing up the chrome.
Do you have any techniques for how to get rust off chrome or other metals?
P.S. This post is not sponsored by Bar Keeper’s Friend. I just love the heck out of their product. 🙂
More cleaning tips you’ll find helpful…
How To Restore Your Hardware– before you toss it or paint, see what’s underneath…
How to Clean Copper – bring back that gorgeous copper shine in minutes!
Cleaning Up Vintage Brass – it can be a pain, but that shine is worth it.
How to Clean a Disgustingly Gross Shower– the before and after is jaw dropping.
9+ Must Read Cleaning Tips – cleaning tips for interiors and exteriors.
Want to easily come back to this cleaning tip later? Just pin the image below!
You know you don’t wanna miss any of this crazy.
Stalk Me Here:
Pinterest / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
Susan Dingman says
I’ve used Brillo pads to get rust off chrome.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks for the tip, Susan! I might try that on those last couple of small spots.
Sharon W says
I use Mothers Chrome Polish and Cleaner to remove rust on my mid-century-modern chrome furniture…scrub with 4x steel wool (in paint dept of stores; bag has “0000” highlighted to show how many zeroes (4x =ultrafine; no scratch lines and does more thorough removal).
Dad says
Looks great Honey. You may wish to follow up with some Turtle Wax Chrome Polish found @ Wal Mart or any local auto parts store. This will help protect the chrome in the future. Just some good advice from your biker Dad.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks for the tip, Dad! I haven’t used that before!
Patty says
I have not found anything on the market that can beet Bar Keeper’s. I use it all the time on so many different things. Once I decided to clean my grill up real good and there was one little rusty spot that wouldn’t come off so I took a little sand paper to it then the bar keeper’s and it worked like a charm.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Patty, I’m starting to think its the one-stop miracle product myself – I can’t believe what all it can do!
June says
What is Bar keepers friend, is it bi carb soda
Cindy Trobaugh says
What!! Really..I used it for years! Never would have thought until Your post!Amen
Thanks for the info Jenna. Now I’m going to Rock me some Rust. Cindy
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Rock it, Cindy!!
Audrey Zumwalt says
Thanks for this tip. Will try this the next time I have to deal with rusted chrome.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Glad it was helpful, Audrey!
TwoPlusCute says
Ah-mazing.
When I saw the rust I was like “this thing will NEVER clean/did they use a metal brush?”
Then I saw how it turned out and I was “impossible :O ”
Cool tip, I’ll buy some.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
I know, right! I honestly thought I would never be able to salvage it – SO glad I was wrong!
Elizabeth-Real Inspired says
Wow! Such a trasformation! I’m wondering how many metal things this would work on. I have a few rusted light fixtures I was going to throw out but now I might try saving them. Thanks!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
I would definitely try, Elizabeth! I have just used it on chrome to remove the rust, but I’m willing to bet it will work on other pieces too!
Ann C says
If you can pop the tops of the backs of the arms where they wouldn’t come clean you may be able to touch them up with some chrome paint. I painted a chain link fence it looked brand new!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Oh Ann! That is such a good idea! I didn’t even think about that! I’ll see if the arms come off! Thanks!
Kris says
I LOVE Bar keepers friend. I use it on my expensive stainless steel pans (inside only so I don’t scratch the shiny outside finish) I use it to clean sinks and stuff too. This is awesome, I have a bike to clean up, but it may be beyond this trick.
Just FYI….It should be “dragged” your kids to the yard sale not drug…..LOL 🙂
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Isn’t it like the best stuff EVER, Kris??! Love it!
Stacey says
I like drug better. LOL. We used to say our kids had a drug problem. We drug them to church, we drug them shopping, we drug them everywhere.
Yvonne @ StoneGable says
I love Barkeeper’s Friend!!! Never thought to use it on rust! Great idea! Pinning!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Isn’t it the best stuff ever, Yvonne?! Just love it!
Natalie says
Soaking in 50/50 vinegar and water solution for 30 minutes to hours (light to heavy rust) will remove rust also 🙂 no elbow grease required! I use this for rusted cast iron cookware and it works great. I’ve also used it to remove rust from bare floor surfaces…spray it down and walk away to do something else, come back and wipe up the puddle and rust together.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Awesome, Natalie! Thanks!
Mary says
Could you use this solution on painted metal? I wonder if it would strip the paint aroubf the rusty spots. ??
Julie says
I used to have a tub of this stuff ages ago, I wonder where it went? Time to buy some more me thinks!
Also I just want to add that I love the fact your dad left you a comment with some proper dad advice. Made me smile!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
haha! He always does that, Julie! He even refers to himself as the “marketing manager for Rain on a Tin Roof” and leaves my biz cards everywhere. 🙂
Jeanette says
May I ask? Where do I purchase Bar Keepers Friend. Never heard of it.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Hey Jeanette! Its sold on Amazon and I’ve found it at Ace Hardware.
Carol A says
You can get it at the grocery stores too. Look by the comet or ajax cleanser.
W. H. says
CANADIAN TIRE HAS IT ALSO.
Bobbie Reynolds says
I buy Bar keepers Friend at Bed Bath and Beyond or Kroger. Love it
Dee says
The dollar store has it.
rebecca L guertler says
at walmart or food store almost all store has it
CrescentCityCurly says
Wow! Wish I had seen this before I gave away my nephew’s tricycle/roadster. Well actually my sister was about to put it out for the trash because there was so much rust on the frame. I wanted to keep it for sentimental reasons. I ended up giving it to my boyfriend’s neighbor who has a young son. I still might offer to clean it up for them.
Lindsay O. says
Love Barkeeper’s Friend! I always have a couple canisters in the house! (I use it to shine my tarnished silver as well as to give the chrome a good scrub!) One other idea that my mom showed me to get rid of rust that was on a metal easel I picked up from Freecycle was just foil and water! Seriously! It did an awesome job! and then, to help prevent the rust from coming back and to keep the chrome shiny, we rubbed it down with waxed paper! Who knew that the food wrappers could clean something so tough like rust?!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
That’s great to know, Lindsay!! I’ll have to remember it!
Rodney Strickland says
If you can get the ends in a pan or something like that. Pour enough Regular Coca-Cola to cover the ends and leave them that way over night. Then take a fine wire brush to them it should get the rust off. This works real well on tools and files saw chains Etc. Unless the tool or steel is beyond help. I have saved alot of tools and files that way although I’ve lost some wire brushes on the files. I’ve used Bartenders Friend on alot of things It works on chrome bumpers to remove bugs and tar also.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Had no idea about the coke trick, Rodney! Thanks for that info. I think I should be able to flip the chair over and try it.
Vulcan Charlie says
So what product was used to change the stitching colour of the seat you display. From a white to black ?. To me you are showing two different seats with different stitching….and hence the so called transformation is nothing but a fabrication.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Hi Vulcan Charlie. I didn’t change the color of the stitching. I’m not sure if there was dust on the seat / stitching to make it appear somewhat white in the before images and it then came off when I cleaned off the chair or if the sun was hitting it a particular way since I took the photos outside. The Bar Keeper’s friend may have even had something to do with the color of the stitching in the after shots. I have no idea. I was focused on getting the rust off. I can assure you this isn’t a fabrication. If you think so, you should give it a try on something to see for yourself. Thanks!
Danielle says
Love Barkeepers friend. Had never heard of it until we moved into our new house and our tub looked like the example from every “Does your bathtub look like this” commercial. After trying many products a friend referred us to Barkeepers friend and oh my goodness, what a difference.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Isn’t it the best stuff ever Danielle?! I had no idea it existed until a year or so ago – it is like a miracle in a can! haha!
J.C. says
NAVAL JELLY, which can be purchased in hardware stores, IS THE BEST RUST REMOVER I have ever tried. It requires no elbow grease and virtually dissolves the rust away. Apply with a toothbrush to the rusted area and leave on for a few minutes, then wipe off with a damp rag and voila, rust is gone!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Wow, J.C., I had no idea! Thanks for the tip!
Russ says
To keep the rust away a little longer, put a couple of coats of car wax (not polish) on the chrome.
Also, use steel wool with caution. It is steel and will rust quickly if not completely removed from the surface.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Awesome, Russ! Didn’t know that! Thanks!
Sharon says
I saw an ad about “dipping” items in something to remove rust. Now I can’t find it. Didn’t get the details before my computer decided to leave that page before I could click on it. Any suggestions?
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Hmmm….I don’t know, Sharon. I’ve never heard of a dipping method before.
J.C. says
There are dipping products for silver, especially useful when polishing intricate pieces. I do not think it works on rust though.
BE Davis Brown says
Just to follow up what Rodney said, you can use aluminum foil to scrub, I believe everyone has foil. If coke is to sticky to work with diet works the same.
Lee Evans says
Hi Jenna, Do you know where you can purchase Barkeepers Friend in Australia. I’ve never heard of it over here. Sounds like a wonderful cleaner to have.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Hi Lee! I’m not 100% sure, but you could look on their website: https://www.barkeepersfriend.com
ollie says
I’m from Canada and I have never heard of barkeeper’s friend. What is it?
Is this the brand name and can i get it Canada?
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Hi Ollie. Its a cleaner and polisher. I think it only goes by Bar Keeper’s Friend. You can look at their website to see where it can be purchased: https://www.barkeepersfriend.com
dawn smith says
I live in Australia what is Barkeepers friend ,never heard of it
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Its a cleaner, Dawn! It cleans sinks, brass, obviously, rust and more.
Nancy Beckus says
I have painted metal furniture that has rust coming through the paint. Can I use Bar Keeper’s Friend or Naval Jelly with painted furniture??
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
You could try it, Nancy, but I bet it might take some of the paint off and you would have to repaint it.
Ana says
I use bar keepers on copper pots. 40 years old and they still look like the day I bought them. I have a chrome and wood lounge chair that is rusted. Pulled it out of my grandmother’s shed after she passed away and it has been sitting in my garage for years while I figure out what to do with it. Your idea is giving me an incentive to get moving on this. You might want to try navel jelly (available at hardware stores) on the tough spots. Brush it on, let it sit and wipe it off. I’ll try that first on the lounge chair. But if it doesn’t work I’ll resort to bk. Turtle wax or a sealer of sorts might be a good idea to keep the rust from coming back. Just curious, what material are the seats made of – leather or vinyl? What did you use to spruce that up? If leather they have the leather restorer (bottle) in the shoe department of Wal-Mart. I used that on a leather couch my brother gave me for a den and it made the couch look like new. After seeing the results of my labor I think my brother regretted giving it to me. LOL.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Your lounge chair sounds beautiful! I hope you can get it spiffed up! I’m not really sure what kind of material this seat was made of. I don’t think its leather and it doesn’t feel like vinyl. And honestly, I think it just needed a good cleaning to make it look better.
Jeff says
You can use Coca-cola as mentioned above, but also scrub it with a wad of aluminum foil. The aluminum is softer than the steel, so it will never hurt it.
A. Edward Gadzala says
To give the polished surface long lasting protection apply
W-40 and wipe clean. The thin protective film is most effective even
on exposure to excessive water or rain.
Anita says
Great chair! Came out wonderful. I’ve used a product for rust called Wink. I got it in the grocery stores and hardware stores. It’s a liquid in a plastic bottle. You just squirt it on the rusted item, let it sit until you can see it lift off. I discovered it in a search to get rust stains off of my toilet and sink. Rusty water. I found it works on fabrics too. For a chair like yours I would soak a paper towel with it, wrap it around the tube part then check it after 10-15 minutes, then rub it off. If it gives you resistance- soak again. I saved a basement hatchway set of doors with this stuff, then spray painted them with rust oleum. They came out great
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Anita! I will try to find it and try it on the ends of the chairs. I haven’t heard of that before!
Lacey The Messy Wife says
Such a great tip! I have an old shower curtain rod to try this on. Thank you for sharing. I love your blog, you have awesome DIY post! Found you on Pinterest, following 🙂
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Hi Lacey!! Hope it works for your shower curtain rod!! Thrilled you found me and are following along!
Dave says
Sos pads also work well for this. Done lots of chrome car bumpers.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks for the tip, Dave!
Mari says
Thanks for sharing with us at Turn It Up Tuesday 🙂 Just pinned
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks for hosting!
Lindsey says
Wow what a helpful post! Thanks for sharing for the Home Matters Link Party
Lindsey
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Glad it was helpful, Lindsey!
Sharon@BlueWillowHouse says
Thanks for the tip on using Bar Keepers. I used it for other things very successfully. Thank you for sharing at Snickerdoodle.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Awesome, Sharon!
Theresa says
Great results. I need to try this on a few projects sitting around. Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party. Shared
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
You bet! Glad it was helpful!
Lisa @peekoutsidethebox says
Just found your blog. I can’t wait to try this on my porch swing this spring.
Jenna says
Awesome, Lisa!
Gabi says
Just stumbled upon your site. You have revamped some amazing pieces. I have never heard of Bar Keeper’s Friend, but I’m excited to use it on so many rust projects bubbling away in my brain. The vinegar 50/50 idea also sounds great. I’m always stocked up on white vinegar.
For people in Australia, apparently Coles now stocks Bar Keeper’s Friend.
Jenna says
Hi Gabi! Oh, I just love Bar Keeper’s Friend! I also use it bring brass back to life and copper too!
Cathy S. says
I was just looking at the rusted bike my aunt game me and was wondering how or if I could get all the rust off of it. You posted exactly when I needed your advice! Thanks!!
Jenna says
Awesome, Cathy! Happy to help!
Michele Michael says
I need to get me some Bar Keeper’s Friend. Im soooo impressed. Def win.
Shelbee on the Edge says
That is absolutely amazing! I will keep this product in mind next time I need to remove rust! Thanks so much for sharing and for linking up with me On the Edge.
Shelbee
chris pallett says
I have been using “Metal Rescue” for a few years…both for my boat tools (saltwater boating), as well as household tools. Works great, does not remove paint, and there is literally no rubbing. Soak whatever metal you need help with for a few hours or overnight, and presto, next day 99% of rust is gone. Good time then to add a little bit of WD40 oil to prevent rust returning.
Jenna says
Good to know! Thanks, Chris!
Suzanne says
I have well water and it was turning my tub orange because of the rust. I tried all different products that said they would remove rust, and some home remedies from online that didn’t work either. I was just searching the web again and someone said to try bar keepers friend. I’m embarrassed because I actually had some, I use it on my stainless steel sink. So I wet my tub…dumped the bar keepers friend all over and honest to goodness it started removing the rust before I could start scrubbing. I Love Bar keepers friend!!!
Karen Taggart says
Just found your post as I am trying to remove a lot of rust from an old kitchen table legs. Do not know what to try as the rust is heavy in some spots on the legs. Any suggestions?
Jenna says
Hi Karen! They only thing I’ve ever used to remove rust is Bar Keepers Friend. Sorry, I don’t have any other ideas. 🙁