Anyone have any suggestions on the best and cheapest way to polish older chrome that has light rusting?

I'm staring the restoration of a classic and vintage 1950's Firestone 500 bicycle. I want to get the handlebars, pedal shaft-and crank, and all other chrome polished up.

Here's what my bike looks like now prior to restoration. Pic is dark and was taken in my basement. I've got a "period" front fender light on order as well. Just need to find a good person to restore the paint and graphics.
http://www.esnips.com/doc/684dac34-2208-413c-aff2-f1cd52e36b1f/Firestone-500

Any suggestions?

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 05-05-2007).]

Dude, that's some cool looking bike.

To buff up the chrome, depending on how bad the finish is at the moment, I'd try some cutting-paste, the kind that's used to take the 'bloom' off car finishes.

A 'safer' alternative to that would be, as weird as it sounds, toothpaste. Most toothpastes are mildly abrasive and you might be surprised how well it works. I know for a fact that it works like a dandy on cloudy headlight covers on cars. Hope this helps.

Thanks,
I've heard of the toothpaste thing I'll probably go the old fashioned route of using an SOS pad, then finishing with chrome polish. I haven't polished bike chrome in years and wasn't sure if there was something new being done.

The bike is going to be a looker when I'm finished. I found a late 50's fender headlight to put on the front fender (chrome top, cream underside). I'm seriosly considering getting a pair of restored 50's chrome fenders with duck tail flaired ends. Those would look sweet on this bike

The most expensive part of the restore will be the painting of the frame, and restoring the graphics. I've been told to expect to see a bill that could range from $300 up to $600, and could even cost more depending on how good the person is. The hard part is finding someone to do it.

Squeak

A ball of crumpled aluminum foil works great, and it's softer than steel wool............................