I scored these awesome vintage cabinet pulls on ebay — but the chrome finish was oxidized and icky. How to go about cleaning up the chrome finish on these lovely bathroom fixtures? I think I found a product that works for me — available online or in a Big Box store: The Kitchen and Bath Stain Eraser from Cramer North America.
UPDATE from Pam — We have received feedback from several readers who have had negative experiences purchasing this from the Cramer website:
In the wake of our original story, several readers commented that they placed orders for the Cramer Kitchen and Bath Stain Eraser from Cramer North America, then waited weeks — only to have their money refunded and/or never get their order. Kate has reached out to the company to ask what is up. However, when she initially wrote this story, they never responded to her emails. So in the meantime, I think that if you want to try this product, find yourself a Menards (where Kate found it) and buy it there. As we write this, she says her store has it — however, it is not available online.
| Disclaimer added by Pam, publisher: Here on the blog, as homeowners ourselves, we may try new cleaning products aimed at solving our own cleaning problems; if we think we’ve found something promising to consider, we may write about it. But, we are not professional chemists or engineers or home economists. So, please: Do your own research into these products and their suitability for your projects before trying them. More info in Terms of Use. |
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It all started a few weeks ago when I was in my favorite big box home improvement store — Menards. I was looking through the plumbing section and noticed a display of these Kitchen and Bath Stain Eraser sticks on an end cap. Intrigued by the product’s claim to clean without scratching — especially chrome — I bought one to test. Filled with excitement for this new cleaning discovery I rushed around the house like a mad woman — testing the cleaning power on nearly every piece of chrome I could find. For me, the results were fantastic — as you can see by the numerous before-and-after shots in this post. Especially exciting was the stain eraser’s ability to remove the oxidation and restore the finish my vintage chrome Amerock cabinet knobs and backplates. They had been salvaged from a gut remodel job, the ebay seller said.
I found that using the Kitchen and Bath Stain Eraser was an experience similar to cleaning with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, although the Cramer Stain Eraser also can be used with water. The Stain Eraser looks like it would be rough, but it was surprisingly light weight. As I rubbed the Stain Eraser over the chrome, the Eraser itself began discolor from picking up the oxidation. Further rubbing began to produce small bit of debris and wore down the eraser gradually.
According to Cramer North America’s website:
The Kitchen & Bath Stain Eraser can be found in the toolbox of almost all German plumbers.
Efficient removal of:
- lime deposits in enamel bathtubs
- rust and metal marks in enamel bathtubs
- unsightly grout stains between tiles
- unsightly stains on tiles
The cleaning compounds in the stain eraser are hard enough to remove stains but soft enough so the surface of an enameled bathtub does not get scratched up. Regular household cleaners often have harsh acidic chemicals that eat away at the gloss of the bathtub tub or sink. Other cleaners contain abrasive sand particles that dull the surface of the bathtub over time.
The back of the stain eraser packaging on the unit I purchased at Menards (January 2013) read:
You know the problem:
paint marks, adhesive residue, metal abrasions and tough stains on bath and shower basins, ceramic sanitary fixtures, sinks, tiles and floors. Often, normal cleaning products fail to remove these residues or cause damage and discoloration to the material. Stain Eraser helps you to eliminate these problems. Stain Eraser’s composition enables you to thoroughly remove deposits without scratching. Usable on enamel, ceramic and chrome surfaces. Not usable on acrylic or fiberglass surfaces! The Kitchen & Bath Stain Eraser can be used with water for improved effect.
The Kitchen & Bath Eraser is
- acid free
- solvent free
- environmentally safe
Additional technical info on their European website:
I was also able to find this technical information on the Bath Rubber (product name in European markets) on Cramer’s european website address diybathrepair.com. The document mentions:
The strong polishing particles in the Cramer Bathtub Stain Eraser have been specially formulated/developed for use with sanitary products. Carefully formulated below the hardness of ceramic and enamel surfaces, this product easily removes paint drips, residual glue and metal marks without scratching these surfaces.
The document also makes the important reminder: TEST FIRST!
After seeing such great results on my chrome cabinet knob and back plates — I tested the Kitchen and Bath Stain Eraser on the following chrome objects — and again, all with very good results:
- Vintage cabinet knobs
- Vintage doorknobs
- Light switch plate cover
- Vintage bar stools
- Vintage Cosco step stool
- Vintage arch lamp
- Bath faucet
Other objects that I tried to clean with the Stain Eraser:
- Soot covered brass fireplace doors — with a little elbow grease, I tried a small spot on the edge of my vintage brass (I think) fireplace doors and the soot came right off and shined up like new. To clean the whole door set would take a very long time using this method, but if all else has failed, this is something I might try.
- Brass magazine rack — again this worked to an extent, but it would take forever to try and clean the entire thing.
- Tile grout — worked as well as Mr. Clean Magic eraser on dirty grout.
- Stains on bathroom fixtures — worked well on the white toilet I tried it on — best when used wet on bathroom fixtures.
If your vintage chrome is heavily pitted or beginning to rust, I do not think that this stick will work miracles — however – this little stain eraser was a wonder on my vintage chrome with oxidation issues. For me, it required some elbow grease and patience, but the results were very rewarding. According to the Cramer website, these stain erasers are available through their website, CramerNorthAmerica.com or at Menards stores.
Want to check out more reader comments about cleaning and polishing chrome?
- Check out this story we wrote in 2009 about Noxon — lots of readers piped in to share their chrome-cleaning experiences.
Pam also asks the question:
- Okay, now that Kate’s chrome is cleaned up — is there something she can put on top of it to keep the finish bright and shiny and to prevent re-oxidization. What about some Jubilee — the way back time machine TV commercial shows the Mrs. using it a toaster. Readers, any tips?
Yeah! Can’t wait to try! Will ask my Dad what he thinks about Jubilee, too. As well as selling bomb shelters, he also sold Johnson Wax products to janitors.
I tend to go with either Brasso or Nevr-Dull.
That is one fascinating product! Can’t wait to try it!
The before and after is amazing. I would have thought the finish was permanently ruined on those knobs.
I also thought that the finish might be ruined (it is hard to tell from Ebay listing photos) — and was happily surprised that they turned out so well! I figured it was worth a shot because they are such cool knobs…:)
Just placed an order through their website! Will let you know how it works!
Hey Linda,
Just wondering if you ever received it. I ordered mine back on the 9th with nothing yet. All of their phone numbers do not work, and my email went unanswered. Granted its only $10 bucks, but I really wanted to shine my knobs!!!
Pretty much everyone that has tried to order from their website is having the same lack of response from what I’ve heard. I tried to contact the company without luck as well. If you live near a Menards — they seem to have them in stock at the store, but don’t have them available to order online.
If you can’t seem to get a hold of one, I did try the crumpled tin foil treatment on another recent vintage chrome acquisition and it also worked very well!
Here is the deal, I ordered a couple months ago also, and have received a full refund to my paypal account today.
Here is the email I received:
Note from merchant
Dear Customer, Unfortunately , we are winding down business and are transferring to another distributor. For the time being, we cannot deliver. Sincerely, Peter K. Cramer
So sad since I cannot find this in stores in TX. If anyone knows where to find it down here, let me know.
Thanks for helping to unlock the mystery TerriLynn — at least now we know what’s going on!
Another thing, some of my favorite mid-century furniture that has come to live at my house from my parents’ house was from a Johnson Wax salesman rewards catalog. I guess people living in a cool fllWright (e-book kept auto correcting for me when I tried to abbreviate the architect’s name) house would want to introduce employees to mid-century design.
oooh, perfect timing – we have a starburst towel holder that came with our house that I’ve wanted to spiff up for ages, and Retro Roadhusband has promised to hang it up. Will let you know how this works!
ohhh an original starburst towel holder??? Lucky you! I hope it cleans up nicely!
The cabinet knobs are so cool…sounds like a miracle product. And, cleans grout too? The reason so many people hate tile is because the grout gets yucky…if they know this takes care of it and is safe then a lot of vintage tile work will be saved. Gotta go get some & try it.
Or just chrome polish from an automotive store
With 0000 steel wool
I always use Turtle Wax chrome polish. just rub it on with a cotton ball, let it sit for a bit, then wipe off with a clean rag, towel, whatever. Works great.
Huh, I’ll have to give it a whirl on my chrome bath fixtures – maybe it will take care of the hard water stains on my shower fixtures?
I also wanted to give a shout out to my go-to ceramic cleaner, my Pummie. The water here is really hard so I always end up with ring-around-the-toilet, rust stains, and dull porcelain fixtures. It takes some elbow grease but the Pummie works great and won’t scratch glazed porcelain or tile (always test a small area first!). I also love that it’s 100% natural (just pumice stone). I’m sure it’s a special kind of pumice, so make sure you get one that is made for cleaning ceramic.
Thanks for the tip. I always have tons of chrome to clean.
I’ll have to run to Lowe’s or Home Depot and see if they carry this product since we don’t have Meynard’s in Oregon. I am wondering if this is like an old fashioned pumice stick. That is what my mother always used on toilets. From the picture it looks similar. FYI wadded up tinfoil also works to clean chrome. I was pretty skeptical, but the car restoration guys told me it is what they use so I tried it and it worked great.
This might be the perfect product to bring the chrome on my ’64 Spacesaver GE ‘fridge back to life. Nothing has worked so far. It might even clean the enamel, as well, if I test in an inconspicuous spot first.
This might be too far out of the box, but I wonder if clear acrylic nail polish might put a shiny, impermeable finish on chrome?
Don’t do that. It won’t come out smooth like you think and if polish chips off your nails in a day or so it will of course do that on your handle.
Gotcha! I’ll use the Johnson’s paste wax.
I’ve heard good things about Everbrite.
I also have used aluminum foil to clean chrome. It works really well, especially when you also use vinegar. Good to know there’s other options that work too!
Agreed. I purchased a vintage bathroom light on ebay. The chrome base was heavily corroded. I used a waded up an aluminum foil ball and a bit of elbow grease and it was restored to new condition. Best of all you usually have some aluminum foil on hand and contains no chemicals – besides aluminum.
I never heard of using tin foil to clean corrosion on chrome, but I just tried it and it did take it off.
I’m always hesitant to try something since I ruined a few things by well meaning suggestions.
As far as a coating that will protect your metal after its cleaned….
I took metalwork and jewelry making in college and we always used Johnson’s paste wax. Put on a coat, let it dry, then buff it off. This is not a permanent solution, it will have to be redone every so often depending on how much the object is handled
Ditto on the aluminum foil action. Used to use it on my bike as a kid, and yes, all the auto restoration guys swear by it.
This product looks similar to something I’ve used, but got that from a Japanese store. It took me WEEKS to shine up my great old rolling chrome rack from an old bakery.
And I too used straight Johnson’s paste wax for jewelry finishing in class. Dab on, let sit, and dab off 24+ hrs later. Great for fixing patina you’ve restored-or created.
NOOOO!!!!!!!
This means the horribly pitted vintage chairs I got ride of might have been saved! Argh!
Well, at least I know now
Off to find some really cool pitted stuff in Goodwill – LOL
For as long as we had our 1932, & 1936 MG’s we finished all of the brass, chrome, nickle plated surfaces with Johnson paste floor wax. It need to be renewed about every 3 years. I use it now for wire jewelry that I fabricate and it helps keep the patinas sealed. Simple solution.
Ha….I think you bought those from me on E-bay!! I had several lots of chrome and even more in copper.
I’m so glad they turned out so great!!
I kept a few of the copper ones for my own decorating projects…I may give the eraser a try on one of those and see what happens!!
Kudos to Kate for being brave enough to try this on those beautiful vintage starburst pulls.
I just picked up a bargain $12 off white vinyl footstool locally about two weeks ago that is perfect save some really sad looking brass trim on the legs. This product looks like something worth giving a shot as it can’t look any worse and could only look better.
I first tried it on the legs of one of my chrome stools — just to test. Then I decided to go for it — since the pulls were heavily oxidized to begin with, and the stain eraser didn’t seem to scratch the chrome, so I thought — JUST DO IT. It worked well!
Many thanks for sharing this tip. Plan to be in Menards this weekend & will pick one up to try. Like others here, I’ve always used a good coat of paste wax to protect chrome after cleaning.
I had a kitchen with retro chrome cabinet handles and used Savogran TSP-PF. I always use way more than needed. I dropped them in a bucket with the “too much” TSP and water and let them sit while I did other tasks. I pulled them out and I didn’t have to do anything but rinse them and dry them.
i used 000 or 0000 steel wool with just water to clean up the chrome on the 50s fixtures during my bath remodel. And, for the teensy rust spots, a dab of clear finger nail polish, as suggested by my contractor.
Just to correct a common misconception: Magic Eraser-type sponges are meant to be used wet, never dry. You put them under the faucet, squeeze out the excess, hold them flat against your palm, and swipe lightly until the surface is clean. Don’t press down with your fingers and scrub with pressure; doesn’t work, the sponge will fall apart, and you will damage paint surfaces. I really think that used properly they are so much less abrasive than scrubbing pads, they are fine for glass and ceramics. The original ones have no chemicals or acids; it’s basically just a sponge.
hmmm. are you sure no acids in magic erasers?
I read about using aluminum foil and water. It works amazingly and cost nothing to try. I just took a ball of foil dipped in water and rubbed the rust away.
that kind of makes my teeth hurt thinking about it…like nails on a chalkboard?
I have had good luck using LIQUID Bar Keeper’s Friend for chrome & many other surfaces
Besides all the chrome I have in my house (especially my vintage chrome and laminate kitchen table and chairs), I’m going to have to try this on all the chrome I have on my Harley! What a great tip and yes, I agree with the prior comment. How brave of you to try this on something so precious as those door knobs and backplates. I just scored some of these in copper for my bathroom remodel, but will have mine chromed. Is it bad karma that I’m doing this to something authentically vintage?
I always had excellent luck with white vinegar and a soft cloth to bring chrome to a fabulous shine:)
Maude
That sure looks like a pumice bar to me, do you think it is?
Before you go out and spend a fortune, try a bottle of plain old vinegar.
I dropped a handful of BADLY rusted chrome handtools in a pyrex dish full of vinegar,left them over night, and used some rags on them the next morning and many of them came out almost new looking. Some that were badly pitted did not, but those star backed knobs at the top of this article would have probably done just as well, or better,with just vinegar. I poured it back into the jar,rust remnants and all, marked it as poison, and have reused it many times. I just keep adding more vinegar as needed.
Kate, if you don’t mind me asking, what keywords/search words did you use to find those cabinet pulls on eBay? I was looking on eBay for some of those, but couldn’t find any. I really like those starburst shaped knob backplates.
Hello there,
I’ve been using a ball of aluminium foil and vinegar for ages and it works very well. The aluminium is too soft to actually scratch the chrome but it does remove rust and dirt. Then I use car wax (the one for the chromed parts) to coat it. I usually give two coats; the first one fills in imperfections and little holes, whereas the second one is for a more durable protection. I buff very well with an old cotton towel between coats and after. If the element is a lamp which hangs and is never handled, there’s no need to rewax in one year or one year and a half.
In case you wonder I’ve got photos of before/after taken from a chair I recovered from my father’s attic with all the chrome full of rust points and completely dull. I restored it using only aluminium foil, vinegar, and a white label chrome cleaner from the supermarket.
I’ll try this on my chrome mag rack but I have a brass one as well that I was hoping to shine up. I also have some 2″ brass door pulls (original to my house) that I was hoping to bring back to their original luster.
Is there anything out there that will help shine brass up as easily and as good as the stain eraser?
I have had very good results just popping hardware like this into the dishwasher for a couple of rounds. Also works for stove knobs.
FYI I have a nice set of atomic cabinet handles that need a home. Please ping me. I’ll pop them on Ebay soon.
Nice job!
Diane Menke
Myers Constructs Inc.
myersconstructs.com
I can’t speak to metal parts in the dishwasher as I’ve never tried that, but I would advise not attempting this with plastic parts as it can completely remove every shred of the chrome plating.
And yep, that was something I learned the hard way.
On a different note, I have a few aluminum kitchen items including brushed aluminum canisters and I found from experience that Cameo Cleanser (for stainless and aluminum) is the best! It is however getting hard to find. They were discontinuing it at my local store so I cleared the shelf a couple of years back!
I just got my money refunded from Cramer’s website. No clue why but I’m continue to search to buy the product.
Linda — I updated the story above — not sure what’s going on with the company because I emailed the them asking for an explanation several weeks ago when Pam and I first started hearing that orders were being refunded and have not received a reply at all.
If you have a Menards I would look there…otherwise I’m not sure what to tell you — sorry!
I received a refund after waiting for 2 weeks for my order and then emailing them to inquire about my shipment.
Oh well. My Lowe’s and Home Depot don’t carry it but maybe my local Ace will.
Lorie — I’m baffled with the availability issues with this product — I emailed the company asking for an explanation several weeks ago when Pam and I first started hearing that orders were being refunded and have not received a reply at all. I’ve updated this story to mention these issues…
If you have a Menards I would look there…otherwise I’m not sure what to tell you — sorry!
Kate, thanks to you and Pam for trying to sort this out! If they only knew how many sales they were missing out on…
I just wanted to add to the other comments about ordering this product through the Cramer website. I have been looking to purchase the eraser since my titanium wedding ring has left dark marks on the kitchen and bathroom sink. Supopsedly this is the only product that works getting these marks off (I’ve triedsoft scrub, Bon Ami, Bar keepers friend all with no luck). I first tried purchasing last fall from Cramer. After 5 weeks of nothing I wrote and asked what was up. I got a response from Cramer through PayPal that they were waiting on a shipment from Europe. They refunded my money and said to place another order after Sept. 29. In December I placed another order – again, nothing. I e-mailed and got no response. I called phone nymbers I found listed and all were disconnected or went to fax. Finally I e-mailed all the international email addresses I could find for Cramer. I hear fromthe UK who said they forwarded to Germany office. Nothing. Finally got another note through PayPal saynig the order simply got lost and a refund, but still no product. I WOULD SUGGEST ORDERING NOTHING THROUGH THE CRAMER WEBSITE!
Good news is it now looks like you can order and have shipped from Menards.