un-chroming and maybe rechroming

[speedo]

First, I am not a fan of chroming...just putting it out there. Too many people have chromed things that should not have been chromed and after a few years it invariably ends poorly. Furthermore the chroming process is several steps and my understanding is that the process can be screwed up if any one of the steps is not done correctly. Granted...if done correctly, and maintained, results on parts that were meant to be chromed...early muscle car bumpers, English wire wheels etc the results can be beautiful...

My question: Early steel wheels were originally painted, yes? Not going to argue what grey was correct. If they were accidently chromed (not sure how someone can accidently chrome something), and the chrome is flaking off (always attractive, right?), how difficult and expensive is it to get something un-chromed? It I believe is a multi layer chemical process...correct? Chrome cannot be sandblasted off. There are various shapes and sizes of repro wheels that look like the early steelies that can be picked up in steel and aluminum for reasonable prices...better way to go?

Speedo

[carwash]

De-chroming is as difficult a process as chroming is. Chemical reaction process that has to be done by a chrome shop as well. it cannot be sandblasted off. it can be ground off but that leaves a nightmare of a finish.

[turbo owner]

Originally Posted by speedo

First, I am not a fan of chroming...just putting it out there. Too many people have chromed things that should not have been chromed and it after a few years it invariably ends poorly. Furthermore the chroming process is several steps and my understanding is that the process can be screwed up if any one of the steps is not done correctly. Granted...if done correctly, and maintained, results on parts that were meant to be chromed...early muscle car bumpers, English wire wheels etc the results can be beautiful...

My question: Early steel wheels were originally painted, yes? Not going to argue what grey was correct. If they were accidently chromed (not sure how someone can accidently chrome something), and the chrome is flaking off (always attractive, right?), how difficult and expensive is it to get something un-chromed? It I believe is a multi layer chemical process...correct? Crome cannot be sandblasted off. There are various shapes and sizes of repro wheels that look like the early steelies that can be picked up in steel and aluminum for reasonable prices...better way to go?

Speedo

Google chrome removal, if I remember correctly submerge them in acetone and let them soak.

[billjam]

Originally Posted by speedo

Crome cannot be sandblasted off.
Speedo

Originally Posted by carwash

De-chroming is as difficult a process as chroming is. Chemical reaction process that has to be done by a chrome shop as well. it cannot be sandblasted off. it can be ground off but that leaves a nightmare of a finish.

Not sure where you are getting your info from, but we regularly sandblast off chrome as preparation for powdercoating. Usually it is old furniture that we are restoring, or steel and aluminium wheels, car and bike parts, but it can definitely be removed by sandblasting with garnet.
Rusty parts with flaky chrome clean up fairly quickly with sandblasting.
We often powdercoat new chrome Harley parts black and normally just blast off the chrome layer leaving the nickel layer or base metal.

Edit ... I might add that if you are wanting to re-chrome, DON'T sandblast as it will take forever to repolish the surface.
If you want to re-chrome, strip the old chrome with hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide.

[carwash]

Yes, you can blast off old chrome that is peeling and flaking. We do the same for powder coating here at our powder coating shop. But chrome that is in good shape and hasn't started to lift is a nightmare to remove. Can it be done with blasting? Sure, if you have days to do it, and it's not a very good chroming job. It "can" be done, but it's not the right or proper tool for the job, and will be a nightmare.

[chris_seven]

I would think that a 'buffered' Hydrochoric acid may be the best idea.

If you use Sodium Hydroxide don't you need an anodic cell? and won't you be producing hexavalent chrome which will be a PITA to dispose of?

[fizeus]

+1 for Hydrochoric Acid.

[Daves911L]

Originally Posted by speedo

My question: Early steel wheels were originally painted, yes? Not going to argue what grey was correct. If they were accidently chromed (not sure how someone can accidently chrome something), and the chrome is flaking off (always attractive, right?),

Speedo

Early steel wheels were also available chromed as an option from the factory, and were fairly common. Maybe these were no accident.

[speedo]

I have a friend in the "plating" business in CA. He told me aluminum wheels were far easier to un-chrome than steel. I guess the issue with steel is you have to remove the chrome...and then the nickel which is underneath needs to be polished, regardless whether you re-chrome or paint/powdercoat. And it is both very necessary and very time consuming.
I am not interested in ending up with $250-350 per wheel, regardless of the date stamp. I was looking for some 5.5 x 15 steelies to paint at a reasonable price. I can be patient. Repairing chromed wheels is possible, but not of interest to me. Thanks for all the feedback guys...your knowledge and resources are appreciated.

Speedo

[Charles Freeborn]

Yes, acid. But have it done by someone who knows what the sam hill he or she is doing.

[kenhep]

Extra Strength Easy Off.

[wayner]

Take it to a chroming shop. They'll dip it in their tank and reverse the process, reclaim the chrome and give you back the wheels with all the rust that it had before, just no chrome.

Do not chemically unchrome them yourself. You don't want Erin Brockovich after you!