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.
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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.
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When I saw all six of these chairs on Craigslist for $25, I couldn’t pass them up. I gave them a super colorful paint job, but anchored them with black and white upholstery.
A Prudent Life did a killer job on stripping and then 
