Removing Chrome Plating

[Ferrino]

I'm trying to remove chrome plating from some small parts - a disassembled pop-out quarter window hinge (shown below). The substrate is pot-metal. Had a quick look on the web and saw an oven-cleaner suggestion, so gave it a go but didn't touch it. I then tried blasting it a little in my cabinet (with garnet media) and it's not really cutting it either. Should this really be done by a plating company? I only have one hinge to do so I'd rather DIY it...

[Cevan]

You need to bring it to a place that does chroming. I had two motorcycle fenders done for about $100.

[Stutzdriver]

Find a plater that specializes in plating diecast parts. A "regular" plater will reduce the parts to a puddle of unusable corrosion. The current EPA has reduced the numbers of platers but you cn find one that will specialize in diecast.

The part will need to be disassembled into its component parts.

[grizzfan]

The other option is to seek a replacement part from one of the part-out places. Be aware though that there are 3 or 4 grades, your current one being the lowest and the price for a replacement is proportional to the grade. I bought one from DC Dismantlers for about $85 not knowing the grading system and it was a piece of junk.

There is a Pelican that seems reasonable, Retro Automotive Products, LLC in Vermont, (Google him). In fact he has some on our favorite auction site: http://www.ebay.com/itm/USED-ORIGINAL-PORSCHE-911-912-930-RIGHT-REAR-CHROME-QUARTER-WINDOW-HINGE-PITTED-/370692575486?fits=Make%3APorsche&hash=item564effd0fe&vxp=mtr

Tom

[Ferrino]

The reason I'm removing the chrome is because I am painting them black. The previous owner removed the chrome and painted them black (poorly). Unfortunately one broke and this is the replacement I am trying to strip and paint...

[Jack Stands]

Can you powder oat over chrome? That would provide a nice, durable finish.

[Ferrino]

Not my chrome - it has a lot of pitting.

[Cooper911SC]

If you don't want the hassle of stripping it completely, sand the part to scratch up the chrome and smooth off the areas of corrosion.
Then use a filler in the pits, like All Metal, or my favorite JB Weld Quick. Sand everything smooth prime with a self etching primer, and paint it black.

Lots of hand work, but makes it a DIY project.

Cooper

[JohnJL]

Can chrome be etched? Like try using a self-etching primer?

[gshiwota]

If you're going for black, file down the bubbly chrome as much as possible. Etch prime, bondo, sand then paint it black. It will be quite a bit of work but it should come out nice.

[tratza]

There's a friend in Houston that does a lot of high quality restoration work on all sorts of non car stuff. I can PM you his name a phone.

[Sebscst]

I had a set of handles that looked exactly liked that and sanded the chrome off then polished them up. I started with 180 then 240, 400,800,polished.

[Cevan]

Epoxy primer may be a better option than an etching primer.