Just to share my experience.

Autosol Chrome Polish.
This stuff is brilliant and done miracles for me. Yes it requires around 40min to get just one rear triangle chrome trim done, but after that chrome looks nearly new.

I will look for before and after pics.

Can't find the pics, but found a short video of almost finished trim.
It was nearly white and really bad looking.
You just have to keep polishing and polishing and polishing even if it looks like it doesn't work - it works, just needs time.

Agreed ^ There are two versions of Autosol too - a coarse version in a tube, and a fine version in a tin. I use a mini polishing pad designed for headlights in my battery drill. One pad for the coarse to take the discolouration out, and then another pad with the fine to make it shiny. It does take a long time and its never quite perfect but its better than nothing. Mask off the paintwork beforehand if you're using that method though!

Wrapping it satin black is better still ;)

Well, I've just realised that Autosol I've used is not actually a polish but a liquid chrome cleaner. Whatever it is it did the job very well.
Just microfibre cloth for me +++

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....L._SL1500_.jpg

Interesting. That's different to both the types I have! I might have to seek that one out as well +++

It works very well on aluminium and brushed aluminium parts as well +++

Cheers Marcin - that would make sense, given the other (more common) Autosol is essentially a metal abrasive so I'd be concerned about it leaving the chrome more exposed than before starting... +++

Has anybody considered getting all of these pieces chrome plated?

That should give a long term effective finish

I did look into chrome plating a few years ago. As I understand it, it's more complicated to plate aluminium, partly because it has to be plated with something like copper and/or nickel first I think. It's been a while since I researched it though so I'd be interested to know what you find.

One problem with most restoration methods is that the trim must be removed first, some parts of which are difficult to remove/refit without damage I believe.

After considering various methods I was leaning towards polishing (ie mechanically removing the anodised layer then polishing/buffing to a mirror finish) which should be possible to do in-situ (with care). The problem then is how to protect the polished aluminium from oxidisation because conventional lacquers won't adhere properly to a highly polished surface. Two solutions I have considered to that is to either go for a duller (and arguably more natural aluminium-like) appearance, or use this stuff, which they claim is very hard-wearing and can adhere to polished metal surfaces.

On a recent visit to The Carding Shed (at our Annual Meet), I asked Ian Kellet (of IK Classics), who gave us a tour of their restoration workshops, what they would do to restore anodised aluminium. He agreed it was problematic to restore and said that they use a company called Metal Magic who simply powder-coat the trim for them. He said that even close-up, some of their powder-coated finishes are difficult to tell apart from genuine chromed pieces.

The trims under the headlamps are my main concern as they are pretty tired.
The bumper comes off easily enough to access them

I need to think on this!

:)