How strip chrome from radio speaker grills?

[Steven B.]

1. I have some '53-'57 lower radio speaker grills that have been chromed. The chrome looks very well done and does not fill any of the perforations. Is there a home method to strip the chrome so I can paint them?

2. I have never compared the original and reproduction '53-'57 lower radio grills side-by-side. How accurate are the reproductions?

Thanks!

Steve

[Joe L.]

Re: How strip chrome from radio speaker grills?

1. I have some '53-'57 lower radio speaker grills that have been chromed. The chrome looks very well done and does not fill any of the perforations. Is there a home method to strip the chrome so I can paint them?

2. I have never compared the original and reproduction '53-'57 lower radio grills side-by-side. How accurate are the reproductions?

Thanks!

Steve

Steve-----


The only way I know to strip chrome from a piece is to acid-dip it. This has to be done very carefully since the acid solution required will be quite concentrated. The piece has to be removed from the acid just when the chrome is gone or you'll start dissolving away substrate metal.

Using an acid solution like this absolutely necessitates it being done in a well ventilated area and using rubber gloves and goggles.

[Mike M.]

Re: How strip chrome from radio speaker grills?

just glass-bead the heck out of the chrome finish(so paint will adhere) then paint the puppys.mike

[Tracy C.]

Re: How strip chrome from radio speaker grills?

The Chrome layer is only around .0005" thick and will come off quickly with the method Joe describes, but the underlying layer of nickel will not come off with acid alone. From this point you will need to grind or sand off the nickel.

If it were me, I'd take Mikie #14's advice and just bead blast and paint. If you don't like the result, sell them and buy replacements.

tc

[Joe L.]

Re: How strip chrome from radio speaker grills?

The Chrome layer is only around .0005" thick and will come off quickly with the method Joe describes, but the underlying layer of nickel will not come off with acid alone. From this point you will need to grind or sand off the nickel.

If it were me, I'd take Mikie #14's advice and just bead blast and paint. If you don't like the result, sell them and buy replacements.

tc

tc-----


Are these things triple chrome plated (i.e. with nickel underplate)?

[Steven B.]

Re: How strip chrome from radio speaker grills?

tc-----


Are these things triple chrome plated (i.e. with nickel underplate)?

Joe, these grills were originally Polo White, the two below the larger black grill on the '53's-'57's. The chrome was a custom job and appears to be triple, as I can see on the back side some nickel where the chrome rubbed off or was not plated.

Steve

[Mike M.]

Re: How strip chrome from radio speaker grills?

Steve,
Your local chrome shop can reverse the process to de-chrome the pieces without threat of damage.
HaND
PS: most reproductions are discernable as such.

[Tracy C.]

Re: How strip chrome from radio speaker grills?

tc-----


Are these things triple chrome plated (i.e. with nickel underplate)?

Joe,

Every automotive chrome plate job on carbon steel alloy has a nickel base. The chrome is really just a thin, very hard top coat.

The term 'triple chrome plate" means there is first a layer of copper plating that is buffed to smooth the surface of itsy bittzy scratches and flaws. The piece is then nickel plated and then chromed.

tc