LCGB Forums

I remember seeing a long thread on this topic a while ago but here goes

How can I strip chrome plating from a cast alloy horncover badge

Ive looked on the web and the answers vary from shotblasting to soaking it in a virgins tears so I'm none the wiser

Cheers

If you take it to a chromers they can reverse the treatment

^ Thanks JazzyB -

After reading up again I think I will have a go at home with hydrochloric acid ,if this doesn't work I'll go see a professional

Make sure you let us know how you get on as it could come in useful.
Cheers DTF

Angry Bloke wrote:^ Thanks JazzyB -

After reading up again I think I will have a go at home with hydrochloric acid ,if this doesn't work I'll go see a professional

Check this out first Peach https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaaORZ0ofCY, it might be safer with the virgin's tears......mind you, good luck with the search for them in Norwich

Be careful with the acid, I used to be a manager at a galvanizing plant where hydrochloric acid is part of the process, we once had a chap come in who insisted we clean his alloy engine block in the acid (against my advice). I won't go into detail but there wasn't much left after. You need to dilute acid well or flash pickle and wash immediately.

^ Thanks gents - its bound to end up a disaster but I'll give it a go

I will keep you posted on the results and how many fingers I lose

did I ever show you that headset top I removed the chrome from using caustic electrolysis...?
it did work, but also left the alloy looking danny trejo's face...
I think I left it in too long...
nasty fumes too

I got the chrome off headset and horncasting using a damond file, it took ages and a lot of patience but the platers I use advised against pickling the old chrome off as it might 'disappear' some of the castings

Theres a company called Gateros Plating that sells various electroplating and electrolysis kits and are top banana for advice on doing stuff, probably worth speaking to them about safety of your metals as you could embrittle or dissolve parts.

http://gaterosplating.co.uk/Chrome-Stripper.php

I've used their rust stripper and I also have their copper plating kit and electrolysis bath kit for cleaning small parts, its really quite good, I used the electro bath in a big plastic tub to strip my T5 rims and they came out like brand new with a floating scum of old paint, grease and rust and a dull steel finish on the rims.

I use the brush plating kit for my e-cigs as I build custom e-cig mods and I rechromed some parts on my Reliant van and it came out pretty good.

I ain't being funny guys but for your own safety sake dip your hands in your pocket and pay a Profesional. Buy the time you would have bought the kit you would be part way to having it stripped - safely.
You know it makes sense!
Bolti

agree with above

Whilst I do agree with Betta's sentiments to the point that for some, that is the right way but learning DIY electroplating especially with the new "safe" kits is a skill that gives you the satisfaction of a job well done, I have hand sprayed now most of my T5 using rattle cans and a friend of mine says my spraying is as good as any professional which is the biggest kudos pat on the back any home restorer can get. I fully intend to hand spray my Li save the frame itself which I want to powder coat the tube and have a good working base for the loop.

I don't actually use a chrome kit but a replica chrome kit which if done over a base of copper which is pre polished before rep chroming, produces an almost true brilliant chrome finish, it is fairly simple, the chemicals are fairly safe and the bath kits you can get means things like brake levers, pedals, tie bars, even nuts and bolts can be made to shine as can old badges, what else is good is now they do a plastics and fabrics kit which opens up the ability to say 3d print a plastic item, coat it in a special conductive primer and you can replicate plastic chrome items that are almost impossible to get anywhere, an example of that is a bloke I know remade the chromed plastic scrollwork Hunter badges for his Hillman Hunter.

^ Thanks gents - I agree with your comments re safety but do like a have a go at things I haven't tried yet - This usually ends up costing more than asking a professional

So far I have tried

Baking Soda - Just turned the alloy black

Mordant Wash - Didn't touch the chrome but started eating the alloy away

Bleach - Working on the brass bits but produced a brown "goo" on the alloy

Now back to the lab