Removal of Chrome

[suspend6]

Can chrome be removed off a small part by the home hobbyist ?  Crappy chrome, rusted and flaked.

[CQ_Moke]

Depends on how delicate the part is and how much it is peeling off.

But I would use a wire brush attachment on a angle grinder..

As discussed at the start though, depend on the part and how bad the rust etc is...

[Tim]

It normally gets reverse electroplated off. I can't see why you couldn't do that at home.

Tim

[suspend6]

How would one "reverse electroplate" at home Tim ?

[Ian]

I'm taking all the outside chrome bits to a electroplater and having the chrome taken off, then having them "black chromed" should look quite good, I'll ask him what can be done at home.

[Darth Moke]

having them "black chromed"

Now you're talking !!!

What is black chrome and what does it look like ?  Do you have pics ? My darth side is very interested !!!

[Ian]

What is black chrome and what does it look like ? 

In the late 80's and early 90's most motor bike exhausts and engine covers were "black" chrome, a bit like these (my favorite bike which is the next project)

[Terry]

Hi,

You can also get Coloured chrome from companies like POR and House of Colour which seem to be translucent colours that spray and adhere to chrome work.

Terry

[Ian]

Hi,

You can also get Coloured chrome from companies like POR and House of Colour which seem to be translucent colours that spray and adhere to chrome work.

Terry

I did not know that, have you got any more info Terry?

[Terry]

Ian,

Just Google POR15 and House of Kolour/Kolor and they will be under their products or catalogs. I have printed brochures but I would expect you will find them on their respective websites.

Terry

[Tim]

http://www.docv.org/cgi-bin/news/newsscript.pl?record=46&template=site

[Wombat]

I like this one on spray painting 

http://www.docv.org/cgi-bin/news/newsscript.pl?record=44&template=site

[suspend6]

http://www.docv.org/cgi-bin/news/newsscript.pl?record=46&template=site

Thanks Tim,

Very interesting article, and so simple really. I wonder why only 6 volts ? Given it was published in 1987, I figure trying to ask the author may be a little futile. 

[Tim]

I'm sure higher voltage would work, but its probably a case of going easy on it. It says it only takes a few seconds for decorative chrome so I guess thats why. I'd imagine a flat 12v car battery would do the job OK, but I wouldn't start by testing it on anything irreplaceable.

Tim