Stripping chrome from fuel line - pump to carb

[Ara G.]

Hey guys, Leif's post reminded me about my fuel line on my L79 car. I found an original fuel line off a 66 car that is chromed. I want to strip the chrome off the line without damaging the line itself so it's correct for a 67. Any thoughts? Do I need to send the line to a plater and have him strip it professionally? I would like to do it myself if possible. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. Regards. ARA

[Mark E.]

Re: Stripping chrome from fuel line - pump to carb

Would it be easier and cheaper to buy a reproduction line from one of the parts houses? About $30.

[Ara G.]

Re: Stripping chrome from fuel line - pump to carb

Mark,
Thanks for the reply. My silver car is very original, and I want to keep as many parts on it to be real ones. Someone cut the original fuel line years ago and rigged one on it. I found this original line and really would like to use it. I really enjoy hunting for original items with patina that match the overall feel of the car. Am curious to see of anyone else chimes in and has any suggestions on the stripping of the chrome. Thanks. ARA

[Mark E.]

Re: Stripping chrome from fuel line - pump to carb

I also like using original or NOS part if possible, especially for castings and trim. But can you tell an original fuel line from repro? (I don't know the answer; I really want to know.)

My repro pump to carb line is about 15 years old and looks spot on, but maybe I just didn't study it closely enough.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Stripping chrome from fuel line - pump to carb

I've not been able to tell a difference between original and repro on small block Q-jet 70-72s other than slight differences in the bend. That is easily fixable when installing it on the car.

As a result, I just replace them if I have a question on their integrity.

[Michael H.]

Re: Stripping chrome from fuel line - pump to carb

Send it to a plater and have it removed.

[Gerard F.]

Re: Stripping chrome from fuel line - pump to carb

Ara,

A solution of muriatic acid (pool acid) will eat the chrome. Try half strength first then full strength if the chrome is not bubbling off in the solution. Do it outdoors and the fumes could be toxic in an enclosed space.

But there is no guarantee that it will ruin the fuel line. Muriatic eats both chrome and zinc, not sure about copper, but does not react with steel. But I don't think you will ever get back to the original steel finish.

I had a friend who wanted me to zinc plate and dichromate an original 67 brake master cylinder cover which had been chromed.
He removed the chrome with muriatic, and then abrasively brought it down to a smooth steel finish. I plated it with zinc and dipped it in dichromate. It came out passable but IMHO really lousy. Not like plating raw steel.

For the time and money, you might be better off just finding a good repro fuel line.

Have fun,

[Ara G.]

Re: Stripping chrome from fuel line - pump to carb

Thanks all,
I have a good repop line on the car now. Am not a huge fan of the sheen of it, nor the coloring on the fittings. I wanted to give the original one a try. I think I will just send it to a plater and see what he can do with it. It's worth the efforts IMO. I like doing stuff like that. Some of the chrome has flaked off one of the ends of the original line and the steel underneath looks great....so I think it's worth a try...Will keep you guys posted on my progress, or lack thereof....Thanks as always...>ARA

[Mark E.]

Re: Stripping chrome from fuel line - pump to carb

Maybe Leif (see his adjacent post) would like your repro line when you're finished with it.

[Ara G.]

Re: Stripping chrome from fuel line - pump to carb

Maybe Leif (see his adjacent post) would like your repro line when you're finished with it.

I will happily hand deliver it to him when I see all of you at the Frisco meet next month. Very much looking forward to it, as always. Will be my third year in a row, and hopefully not my last...ARA

[Tracy C.]

Re: Stripping chrome from fuel line - pump to carb

Ara,

A solution of muriatic acid (pool acid) will eat the chrome. Try half strength first then full strength if the chrome is not bubbling off in the solution. Do it outdoors and the fumes could be toxic in an enclosed space.

But there is no guarantee that it will ruin the fuel line. Muriatic eats both chrome and zinc, not sure about copper, but does not react with steel. But I don't think you will ever get back to the original steel finish.

I had a friend who wanted me to zinc plate and dichromate an original 67 brake master cylinder cover which had been chromed.
He removed the chrome with muriatic, and then abrasively brought it down to a smooth steel finish. I plated it with zinc and dipped it in dichromate. It came out passable but IMHO really lousy. Not like plating raw steel.

For the time and money, you might be better off just finding a good repro fuel line.

Have fun,

You are correct that the muratic acid will remove the chrome, but it will do next to nothing to the underlying nickel plate.

[John D.]

Re: Stripping chrome from fuel line - pump to carb

Ara and others. When you are faced with this situation of stripping chrome off a fuel line it's a shaky thing to do. Chemicals and crap contaminate the inside of the fuel line. Blowing air thru it doesn't help. Best replace the line. Buy one or bend it yourself but don't use the stripped line. Been there.
Vacuum lines. One time on a 63 to 65 FI unit (forget which one) All the lines and brackets and steel parts were chrome plated. I had all the chrome stripped and then had the parts chrome plated. Well this midyear unit would just not run for crap. No matter what I did I could not fix this unit. So one day after having torn the thing apart several times I discovered the culprit. A 90 degree bent on the main vacuum signal line had a tiny hole from the plater buffing the line in preparation for plating. Hence a major vacuum leak.
I replaced the line with a NOS one and the FI unit came to life.
That was a long time ago and till this day if I see a job with chrome lines I just replace the lines.
True story. JD

[Ara G.]

Re: Stripping chrome from fuel line - pump to carb

Thanks to all that replied. I am going to give the line to a restorer friend here in Florida whose son does great plating work and see what he can do. I am hearing from many that the underlying finish will not be to my liking but worth an effort. Will keep you all posted. Thank you very much for all your posts. Ara

[Enzo C.]

Re: Stripping chrome from fuel line - pump to carb

Ara,

I agree to keep your car as original as possible.... the parts look and fit better over all... Good Luck Pal

[Ray G.]

Re: Stripping chrome from fuel line - pump to carb

Hello;
Additionally remember when a metal line is formed/bent minuscule pieces of metal are broken free on the outside and inside of the
line. Consequently flushing with fluid after bending and before use will save problems later.
Ray