I'm about to spring for some polish...these both come highly recommended. I'm sure some of you fine experts have experience with one or both.

Any reason to choose one over the other??

I have used Simichrome with excellent results. A small tube lasts for a very long time, even polishing lots of chrome. I have tried several other chrome polishes, but Simichrome is the one I am staying with.

Another Simichrome fan here...

Aaron

Simichrome is an old friend. Do use gloves, even the cheapo latex ones, your skin will absorb it and the MSDS says protection necessary.

For chrome neglected by others Astonish paste works fast prior to Simichrome, can be used on chrome and aluminum.

Never used Mass, Simichrome is nice. I used Never Dull.

Maas can be easier to find than Simichrome, seems to work about the same. I've used both, though based on availability, rather than results.

I think you're wasting Simichrome if you are using it on chrome, it's an aluminum polish (and very expensive). 0000 steel-wool and run of the mill rubbing compound will get chrome looking good for very little dough. Now to make your alloy parts look like chome, Simichrome is the best.

As a final, simichrome can put on that final mirror to chrome, but if rust has to be removed, I would start with a more basic product, Even a brillo or S.O.S. pad, as the soap acts as a lubricant to avoid scratching. Simichrome mated with a buffing mop (I use three abreast on a bench grinder works wonders,,, the bench grinder does not have too much horsepower and mass, so overloading to where the surface shows marks seems to be avoided. I brought a much zig-zagged Campagnolo superlegerra seat post back to presentable life with some wet dry sandpaper working wet and stoppong at 400. Way back this was the only post prior to Super Record with a "mirror" finish from Campagnolo.. and almost the same weight as a Super Record, just no fluting.

I use both, and can't tell any difference. On Aluminum I follow up with NuFinish car polish. It's a polymer sealant that prevents oxidation. 3 years after I gave the Simichrome/NuFinish treatment to some well used older Campi hubs, I heard someone ask "What kind of idiot would chrome Campi parts?"

Semichrome is pretty good, but very pricey, and thats if you can find it.

'Mothers' mag wheel polish is good too, and a whole lot cheaper. Plus you can get it at Wal-Mart.

'Blue Magic' aluminum polish is about the best for cleaning though with its high ammonia content. Clean it with 'Blue Magic' and polish it with 'Mothers'.


yep

Thanks everybody...

I've pretty much used most of the typical household/automotive type stuff. And of course good ol' superfine steel wool with WD40...

It sounds like simichrome is what I'm after. I'd like to shine some old alloy brakes up really well...;o)

Any leads on a good online supplier?

[QUOTE]

Just be advised that your old alloy brakes may have a clear anodising on them, otherwise you'll never get them shined up any better than factory.

+1

+2,
and same goes for Flitz™: all good, all expensive, seem to be the same formula in different shades, IMHO.

If your going online, you should also look into Zephyr Pro-40 polish.

Easy on, easy off, and a 16oz. bottle has lasted me for years polishing bike parts and much larger parts.

https://www.highwayshine.com/cat/Zeph...e+Bottles.html