Chrome removal

[Michael L.]

Guys,

I need to paint a couple of engine items (pulleys, brackets, etc.) that have previously (not by me!) been chromed. Do I need to remove this chrome prior to painting and if so what is the best way of doing it?

Thanks,
Mike

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Chrome removal

Mike:
The best way to remove chrome from steel is by reverse plating. In other words use the plated part as the anode and some sacrafiial steel as the cathode. If you are only doing a couple of pieces it may not pay because you need a few things for the setup. I use a 30% solution of battery acid, 2 flat steel plates, one on each side of the plastic pail connected by jumper wire, and a power source. A battery charger would work for this since you are not concerned about the quality if the sacraficial part being plated, only removing chrome. I use a very large (250 amp) variable plating rectifier. Immerse the chromed parts in the solution and attach the positive to it. Attach the negative to one of the steel plates. I usually put some glycerine in the solution to prevent pitting of the part bein stripped. Turn on the power and observe the bubbling at the steel plates. It is important to do this outside because the fumes are dangerous!!!! Carefully monitor the progress so you don't damage the good parts. For only a couple of parts it might be cost effective to just pay someone to do it for you.
Jeff

[Eric V.]

Re: Chrome removal

Mike,
I would recommend removing the chrome since it is so difficult to "rough it up" to give the paint some tooth to adhere to. However if your goal is to detail your car for NCRS judging you may want to reconsider using the chromed parts due to the fact that the parts were probably heavily polished before plating which may have removed or blurred features the parts had when GM made them. Regarding removing the chrome, most chrome shops I've dealt with immerse previously chromed parts in a strong solution of hydrochloric acid to remove the old plating. I have had some success doing this using swimming pool acid (muriatic acid) straight from the jug, but it usually is not concentrated enough to do a really good job. If you try this method I strongly recommend you do not do it indoors and not anywhere near anything that you don't want to be corroded - the fumes are quite corrosive.

Eric V.

[Edward B.]

Re: Chrome removal

As the chromed pieces have probably lost any trace of originality (if they ever had any), it will be easier for you to secure new parts.

[Steven N.]

Re: Chrome removal

The platers remove chrome for a very small price, its well worth paying them to strip. I get large batches stripped for $25- $30. Steven J............