Topic: Thin layer of chrome ?

[robdrobd]

The chrome that my po put on this bike is flaking off. Is there a way to get this back to the aluminum without doing the reverse chroming process?

[Stev-o]

Chrome is very hard to remove, I failed when trying to do it with a sandblaster.

I would just replace the covers.

[Retro Rocket]

You could  take it to a chrome plater and have him dip it in acid, I'm not sure exactly what acid it is but i rang a plater about the same thing and he said "bring it over"...

There is also an oven cleaner that will remove chrome, I read somewhere that submerging chrome in cola overnight will remove it as well, apparently it wipes straight off...

[Rigid]

Used baking soda in a plastic bucket with battery charger hooked up.  Took the chrome off of a set of springs off a girder/ springer frontend.  I didn't expect that to happen but was powdercoating so it worked out.

[robdrobd]

Ok, so how exactly do I do it!

[Retro Rocket]

http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Chrome-Plating

[Viktor.J]

I searched the forum for the same answer, might be some information in my project thread. But depending on what kind of chrome and alloys it's different procedures. I called a chroming company that couldn't leave any kind of guarantee on the job regarding, finished surface, amount of material removed etc.

SOOOoooooo I ended up changing all the covers, cheaper and nicer.

[mick7504]

I stripped a set of head pipes with a strong salt water solution and a battery charger.
It was only a small charger and I think one with a bit more grunt would've been faster.

Just can't remember which way around the anode + cathode (+/-) were now.
Have to Google that one to find out which way the current flows.
I used a length of flat steel in the salt water clipped on one side and the head pipes clipped on the other and keeping them apart in the salt water.

It bubbled away with this black frothy stuff floating around on top.
The copper looking coating was still on them and the shiny stuff was gone.

[robdrobd]

Seems to be flaking off already. Maybe I'll try the Coke first

[robdrobd]

I think that just the first layer flaked off

[Powderman]

Theres only one layer of chrome. If it was a good plating job there will be a layer of copper, then nickle, then chromiujm. The DIY remedies for removing the chrome do just that but don't remove the nickle.

[BobbyR]

Simple Green eats chrome. That stuff look like you could peel it of with a plastic scraper

[gonzobrian]

My chrome was flaking off also.  I had Brown's Plating remove it for me.  Get ready for a lot of polishing once the chrome is removed as you will be left with a dull finish.