Discoloured chrome tap - can anyone help?

[PhilJW1]

I have a chrome tap in my bathroom that has developed a large brown streak. Its the colour of rust but it isn't rust as it wont clean off with soap and water.

Can anyone advise me what it is and how it has been caused. An more importantly how I can get the finish of my tap back to the chrome!

I've attached some photos.

Many thanks in advance

 

[Burnerman]

It looks like poor quality chrome that has been attacked by a chemical cleaner at some time.....by all means try a polish such as Solvol Autosol but I doubt if you'll get very far unfortunately.
John

 

[JohnD]

it might possibly be limescale. Try a bathroom cleaner spray intended for that and follow the instructions exactly. Don't use other acids. Some will strip off chrome.

Are you sure it is chromed brass and not stainless steel? It doesn't have much shine. Don't use acid descalers on stainless, they will mark it. But you can use a nylon kitchen scourer. It will leave a "brushed" effect so only use it in the direction of any brushing, never in circles or to-and-fro.

 

[lostinthelight]

It looks like poor quality chrome that has been attacked by a chemical cleaner at some time.....by all means try a polish such as Solvol Autosol but I doubt if you'll get very far unfortunately.
John

Your not wrong there John poor quality is putting it mildly, electro plating must have been very thin or someone has been over zealous with an unsuitable cleaner to expose the base metal like that?

 

[foxhole]

Chrome has worn/cleaned off. [Don't know why you thought soap and water woud remove rust though.]

The right hand side is also starting to pit. Time for new tap.

 

[Burnerman]

Your not wrong there John poor quality is putting it mildly, electro plating must have been very thin or someone has been over zealous with an unsuitable cleaner to expose the base metal like that?

I have seen before the effect bleach can have on poor quality chrome.....new tap time I guess!
John

 

[Stivino]

Stainless steel can be damaged by repeated exposure to Chlorine. That type of tap differs from a normal tap in that the external part where the water flows is exposed to Chlorine every time you run the tap.
All tap water (from the main) should have free Chlorine. I would put my money on that being the cause of the damage.

 

[PhilJW1]

Thanks for all your advice.

Its a Crosswater tap - I thought they were supposed to be decent quality!