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taking chrome off brass?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by HotRodDrummer, May 4, 2005.

  1. HotRodDrummer
    Joined: Dec 10, 2002
    Posts: 1,827

    HotRodDrummer
    Member

    how do you get chrome off br***? I've had the peice soaking in Muriatic acid for roughly 22 hours now...It seems to be effecting the chrome, but it's not coming off, just looks like it has been sitting in the sun for fifty years or so.

    Thanks,
    HRD
     
  2. DocsMachine
    Joined: Feb 8, 2005
    Posts: 289

    DocsMachine
    Member
    from Alaska

    I doubt that'll work well.

    The "proper" procedure, in my understanding, is to have a chrome shop strip the chromium layer off. They can do it in their normal tanks, and I'm told they can even reuse the chromium.

    After that, you'll probably be left with a layer of nickel on the part. Nickel is pretty nonreactive with most chemicals, so the usual procedure is to beadblast it off the part.

    I have heard rumors of a chemical solution that will strip the nickel, but I don't know what it is, or how well it works. Try www.caswellplating.com

    Doc.
     
  3. BigDdy31
    Joined: Jul 31, 2002
    Posts: 1,003

    BigDdy31
    Member

    I'm desperately trying not to make a joke about an ex girlfriend and a trailer hitch. Someone...help me...please....

    But on a similar topic, does any one know how to get a golf ball through a garden hose? ;)
     
  4. Detonator
    Joined: Jun 25, 2001
    Posts: 1,751

    Detonator
    Member
    from santa cruz

    I had this conversation with Polisher on the HAMB -- he really knows this stuff. The Muriatic acid does strip the chrome, and it does it pretty quick. I actually suspended parts on wires above an acid bath and let the fumes do it. The chrome comes off, leaving the nickle underneath. That's probably what you're seeing, it looks like chrome but has a slight yellow hue to it. It's a nice finish, but tarnishes much faster than chrome. If you want to get the nickle off, too, I think you're going to have to blast it.
     
  5. Flat Ernie
    Joined: Jun 5, 2002
    Posts: 8,406

    Flat Ernie
    Tech Editor

    Watch yourself or you'll be chastised by the PC police...;)
     
  6. HotRodDrummer
    Joined: Dec 10, 2002
    Posts: 1,827

    HotRodDrummer
    Member

    well guy's in the last couple hours the chrome AND nickle have started to lift and I can see br*** in a couple of spots....

    Maybe it is gonna take a couple days, but it is working :cool:
     
  7. polisher
    Joined: Jul 28, 2002
    Posts: 651

    polisher
    Alliance Vendor

    We put br*** parts into sulphuric acid and zap them with the amps to blow the nickel and chrome off.
    Muriatic we use just to strip the chrome.
    Your br*** under the nickel will be pretty badly pitted from the muriatic digesting the zinc.
    Should polish out quite quickly though.
     
  8. HotRodDrummer
    Joined: Dec 10, 2002
    Posts: 1,827

    HotRodDrummer
    Member

    Thanks man, I think I'll take it out then, it's overall size is critical so, I don't what to polish it raw and have a chance making it smaller...

    So, I just need to dip it in sulphuric acid and put a charge to it.....what kind of voltage? It's a small peice (screws onto the top of a Deuce grill shell, it holds the stainless strip that runs down the center of the hood). It was made in tywann(sp) and doesn't fit the shape at all, it's flat and the grill is not, so we need to strip it and fix it,then plate it again.


    Thanks,
    HRD
     
  9. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 32,542

    The37Kid
    Member

    DO NOT GL***BEAD BR***!!!!!!!! Years ago I was told to gl***bead the chrome off two headlight rims. I told the boss that sending them out to a plater to have them stripped in the tanks was the correct thing to do. No, we had to "save time & money". Well I worked as carefully as I could and got all the chrome off but in the process the rims shrunk so they never fit the buckets again.
     
  10. polisher
    Joined: Jul 28, 2002
    Posts: 651

    polisher
    Alliance Vendor

    You need a rectifier and the waste is hazardous.
    Are you equipped to deal with it?
    if so send me a pm and I'll advise you, or we'll have people dumping toxic waste all over the place.
     
  11. hotrodladycrusr
    Joined: Sep 20, 2002
    Posts: 20,765

    hotrodladycrusr
    Member

    I sandblasted quite a few br*** parts on my convert top bows and they came out fine, really nice looking in fact. Maybe the thickness of the different pieces has something to do with it??
     
  12. HotRodDrummer
    Joined: Dec 10, 2002
    Posts: 1,827

    HotRodDrummer
    Member

    Thanks polisher,

    I'm not going to mess with it, sounds like a h***le plus I'm going to the platers to pick up some parts so I'll just have them dip it....Does the striping process take much time or is it something I will have to leave there? probably depends on how busy they are, a.

    Thanks again,
    HRD
     
  13. polisher
    Joined: Jul 28, 2002
    Posts: 651

    polisher
    Alliance Vendor

    We charge $25 to strip chrome off just about anything that fits in our strip tank.
    It takes the same time to strip a nut and bolt as it does a wheel.
    So smaller bits we tag together and do a bunch at a time.
    I believe most chrome shops are the same and have a basic charge.
    Doing the stripping requires a little attention.
    Dealing with the waste is another matter.
    Chrome shops are the best places to do this kind of stuff, but it's not something Joe public often thinks of unless they are going to re-chrome..
     

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