So I've got a old chrome swan neck shifter for a 39 toploader. It has a few spray bomb painted areas, Almost like someone was to careless to mask it when painting the dash. How should I try getting it off without messing up the old chrome?
Laquer thinner first. If that doesn't do it,try easy off oven cleaner. Steel wool regaurdless of grit might leave scratches in the old stuff.
Uh......graphitti remover in a rattle can....spray on, wait 5 minutes, wipe off.... Or just a little rubbing with lacquer thinner will take off rattle can over spray....
a while back I cam across 65 1949 and 1950 Chevrolet radio delete plates, they were chromed and then the centers were painted from the factory. most were in really good shape and I sold them as is, when I got down to the scratched up ones I used Jasco spray on paint remover and it took the paint right off with no problem. paint does not like being on chrome anyways so it comes off very easy and no scratching.
At work we have a blast cabinet,we use a plastic media called urea it does a nice job getting paint off without damaging the surface. If you have access to something like that it makes quick work of it.
Soak a rag in lacquer thinner, wrap item up in rag put in zip lock bag. Open later and wipe it down/tooth brush ect.
I just cleaned rattle can paint off of a few stainless and chrome parts today with acetone and a terry cloth towel. Took a bit of elbow grease, but it all came out clean as a whistle, unscratched with no trace of paint.
Why not use paint remover such as "Peel Away" or "NitroMors"? Safe for no scratches and will remove all at one time to the bottom... Also least sweat...
Brake fluid will remove most types of paint and leave metals alone. The cheaper the paint the better it seams. Last i used it on three bajonettes som **** had painted gold, they look almost nos now, the leather, bluing and the nickel rivits looks perfect and untouched. Let the paint lift from the surface and use a toothbrush for the rest. Steelwool will scratch, liquid will not.
0000 steel wool is what I have used for 30 years or more and it hasn't scratched chrome yet....if it is actually chrome....could be nickel...depending on how old it is. If it has nooks and crannys then paint stripper would be my next choice. FYI.....0000 steel wool will also polish gl*** like you wouldn't believe.