Chrome must go!! Really!

[jackdaw]

Is there any way, other than sanding or sandblasting, to take chrome off parts? I just want to go down to the bare steel.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Chrome must go!!

Use heavy grit on them.

Hang them outside and spray them everyday with a salt water mix.


I made a bike frame look rustier than theTitanic doing that.

 

[g-ratter]

Re: Chrome must go!!

You could do a paint job on them like you see on my seat stem.
After a sanding I sprayed a silver on them( Hammerite silver would help the effect also).
Then I dabbed on some gray primer very lightly.
Then when dry I used an antiquing glaze.
A couple of coats of a gloss clear then a light coat of a matte clear finishes to knock the shine off the job.
Sample:

 

[gcrank1]

I recently browsed through a couple of U-Tube videos on doing it with a home built de-chroming tank.

 

[Dorian]

Take it to a chrome shop and have them do it. They do a reverse process, takes the chrome off instead of putting it on. Beats sanding or grinding.

Dorian

 

[Anonymous]

I've done ELECTROLYSIS for rust removal on bike parts with real good results.(DONT DO IT IN THE HOUSE) Ask me how I know.

I dont know if it would work for removing Chrome...I never tried to remove Chrome.

http://antique-engines.com/electrol.asp

 

[Anonymous]

The Hydrogen and Iron Oxide fumes WILL make you sick if you decide to do it in the house.

Been there...

 

[jackdaw]

I recently browsed through a couple of U-Tube videos on doing it with a home built de-chroming tank.

Hey gcrank, could you point me a little closer? I looked but couldn't find, except one that was 14 seconds long. Not much info :lol: :lol:

I searched on google and couldn't find much either, looks like muratic acid or some form of electrolysis. The electrolysis I need real info on, the posts would say "then I put the part in the tank for three hours" Great, what was in the tank? How did you hook it up? I dunno, I am leery of trying things like that without good instuctions, I guess it's time to man up and see if I can't blow up the garage!! :lol:

MagicRat, that's a cool process, I think I'll try that and see if it'll work.

Thanks for your help guys.

 

[Anonymous]

I use an old computer power source unit.Its a 12v DC output.

Hook up the parts in water with a sprinkle of BORAX and watch the magic begin.

 

[Anonymous]

I use alligator clips (DONT let them drop in the drink.Ruin them)

NEG.Black Wire on the part you want to de-rust

POS.Red wire on a sacrificial piece of steel (I use a big nail)

Set them close together BUT DONT LET THEM TOUCH!.

 

[gcrank1]

They say nothing on the web is ever really gone, so I figured the dechroming electrolisis process was going to be somewhat easy to find again; no note made of the site other than U-T.
I do remember that it specified using those heavy duty plastic storage tubs, big enough for the project at hand, and maybe 3/4 full of solution, from 'the big store' as the dechrome tank and, it looked like, maybe a rinse tank.
The power from a 12V car battery hooked to a battery charger so the power really would be regulated at no more than battery voltage, yet stay up, would work fine. Even a motorcycle or garden tractor 12V would do the same.
BTW, I would think that the parts would be best washed up clean and degreased, and maybe even most of the rust cleaned off, to keep from contaminating the solution, but since I have not done it I might be thinking too much again.

 

[jackdaw]

Cool, I'll see what I can do.