Stabilising the chrome of FEDs/Zorkis

[fidget]

A few of my older FEDs show areas of the silver finish on the top and bottom casing where the chrome (if that's what it is) has peeled in very small areas or has a sort of spotty appearance. Although it is tempting to try a paint finish on the worst of these, some aren't too bad and would be OK if the deterioration could be stopped. On the same theme, I am concerned that those which are perfect might start to spot , pock and peel. Does anyone know what preparation could help here? Maybe a wax or silicon polish?

 

[Kim Coxon]

I don't know about wax or silicon polish but you could try a metal polish like Autosol designed for cars from somewhere like Halfords.

Kim

 

[fidget]

Thanks Kim, Ah! I remember the old "Solvo-autosol" from my younger days. How that Suzi aluminium could be made to shine! I wonder if it's the same stuff. I suspect that most if not all metal polishes will have some abrasive component to clean and then shine. I'm not sure that I want to clean, rather to coat with a protective finish. I'm thinking of the silicon based furniture type of polish. When I've tried to repaint some of our household woodwork that has been cleaned with this stuff, it is very difficult until a lot of effort has been used to clean it off, even a few years later. I guess it can't make the silver jump off?
......Dave...