Stuff thrifted for free!

[valleythriftshopper]

Sometimes the food bank thrift leaves stuff out front for free that needs too much cleaning or is a fixer-upper etc and they don't want to deal with it.  Most of the time it is nothing I am interested in but today I could not resist a set of four 50's or 60's era chrome kitchen chairs that just needed cleaning.  The vinyl is in good shape and the grime is coming right off with a sponge.  They are out on my back porch with the other furniture projects (curbside finds).  The chrome has a little corrosion, but that seems to be coming off too and probably if I cleaned it with something besides dish soap it would be better- anyone know of a good product for cleaning chrome?  

There was also a box of dishes and glassware, being a dishaholic I picked out a few vintage blue & white ironstone plates and Johnson bros. transferware.  Nothing valuable, but I can display them with my willow ware.

[akbjr]

Wow! Cool classic chairs in your photo! Sorry I don't know how to clean that stuff, probably google it & you'll find out. You did good!

[Jay2TheRescue]

I recommend polishing the chrome with Mother's Mag & Aluminum polish (the paste in the white jar with the red label, not the liquid in the red plastic bottle.) and some #0000 steel wool.  Just a dab of the paste, and some light polishing with the steel wool should take dirt, grime, and surface rust off.  Afterward buff with a clean, soft, lint free cloth.  If there's not too much surface rust the chrome often comes out looking nearly new.

Be careful in selecting cleaners for the vinyl.  Ones to watch out for in particular are 409, Super Clean, and Fantastic.  They can bleach the color out of vintage vinyl, especially if you're doing your cleanup work outside and apply the chemicals in the sun.

I also recommend removing the cushions and cleaning the chrome & vinyl separately, then putting them back together.

Good Luck!

-Jay

EDIT:  The polish is easily found in the automotive section of Wal-Mart.

[Good Buddy]

Jay,

I knew you'd have the answer!

[Jay2TheRescue]

Thanks GB, what I described is exactly what I did with the pictured set.  I got it for $20 at an estate sale in Pennsylvania, and it was covered in 50 years worth of grease & grime.  I honestly think the grease preserved it, because when I cleaned it up, the chrome shined like new.  I ended up selling the set for $375.  Made the whole trip to PA worth it.

[valleythriftshopper]

The brightly colored sets are really popular and go for alot.  These chairs are light gray so they are not quite as retro-fabulous, but they are in better shape than any other chairs I have seen at yards sales, thrifts.  I see some chrome tables in good condition from time to time but they never have chairs, so when I saw a complete set of four I had to take them. 

I guess it is a lesson to anyone donating stuff to clean it up a bit before donating to make sure it will benefit the thrift.  If the store is overwhelmed they may not be up to the task of cleaning them.  This particular thrift is very clean so they wouldn't put out something grimy.  But your right Jay- the grime seems to have preserved them!

Also Jay, thanks for the cleaning info, someone else recommended Naval Jelly and the steel wool, but I am glad you put in the specific grit number.  I don't have a Walmart handy but I will look for Mother's Mag at the hardware store or Home Depot.  The rust is light so I think it will clean up nice.  I will post a follow-up pic!

[Good Buddy]

Thanks GB, what I described is exactly what I did with the pictured set.  I got it for $20 at an estate sale in Pennsylvania, and it was covered in 50 years worth of grease & grime.  I honestly think the grease preserved it, because when I cleaned it up, the chrome shined like new.  I ended up selling the set for $375.  Made the whole trip to PA worth it.

Nice!

[Jay2TheRescue]

I don't think a hardware store would carry Mother's products.  If you don't have a wal-mart close by, try your local auto parts store and look in the wax aisle.

[Frchgrl]

Thanks GB, what I described is exactly what I did with the pictured set.  I got it for $20 at an estate sale in Pennsylvania, and it was covered in 50 years worth of grease & grime.  I honestly think the grease preserved it, because when I cleaned it up, the chrome shined like new.  I ended up selling the set for $375.  Made the whole trip to PA worth it.

You did NOT get that for $20 ? wow!

[Jay2TheRescue]

I drove back from PA with a full truck, and I only spent $40 total at the sale.  You must also remember, you are looking at the finished product, displayed in a show.  It did not look anywhere near as nice when I bought it, but I did know that there was no heavy rust, no tears in the vinyl, and no major scratches to the Formica.  I knew it would look good after I cleaned it, I just was pleasantly surprised when the finished result looked almost brand new.

[anastasiabeaverhausen]

wow Jay....great set..never seen table with two levels like that!!!! You definately have the eye!

[Jay2TheRescue]

Yeah, the set was scattered throughout the house.  It all started with me finding a chair in the upstairs hallway.  Then there was a chair in the spare bedroom.  The table was being used as a night stand in the master bedroom.  I rounded up the pieces, and the guy running the sale said he saw a shelf he thought matched the table in the attic, so to the attic we went.  The shelf was in brand new condition.  It appears that it was never installed on the table, just wrapped up and thrown in the attic.

I think the shelves on these tables were mostly removed because it was kinda awkward to sit at the table with the shelf installed.

[akbjr]

What a great job you did! Looks incredible! I definitely wouldn't have known how to do all that. And what a unique table, with that 2 level thing going on! So very cool. Congratulations!

[el rojo grande]

Steel wool and WD-40 or any light oil is a wonderful "rust-be-gone" technique.

[valleythriftshopper]

The cleaning I have done so far is has gone well, I am going to take the chairs apart in the next few days &  really work on them, I think they are going to look great when done.  One other question for Jay or anyone who knows- there is a pen mark on one of the chairs, I tried rubbing alcohol & a magic eraser sponge and it didn't come off- anything else I can put on it?