Topic: cb400f - electrochemically removing chrome

[lohebohi]

Does anyone know of any shops that electrochemically remove the old chrome before starting the chrome process from the beginning on bare metal?

Everyone place I have found just grinds off the chrome. 

My reasoning is two-fold.  I want to remove the chrome from the fenders and repaint.  I also want to remove have the 4-1 header rechromed and I feel the only proper way to remove the chrome is the reverse of the application.   I am not interested in any way in abbrasion or blasting as a removal process. 

I seen a lot of people say 'a good chrome shop should be able to electrochemically remove the chrome' but every one I have called says they grind it off.  I am in MD and realize I will probably not find a shop in my state.  I could easily drive to Delaware.  My guess is that they are more lax on the use of chemicals in that state.

Thanks

[mcpuffett]

same here in the uk most places just grind off the old stuff    mick.

[maksuttt]

You can remove crome with hydrochloric acid or with sulphuric acid.

Check this http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/access.htm#crystals  - chrome stripper

[Gordon]

One thing to consider is that most chrome shops won't even touch the headers unless the insides are as spotless as the outside. 

[dusterdude]

you could call browns plating,i think they are in tennessee.

[Chris Liston]

I'd check with local chrome platers.  Not every piece that is chromed comes out perfectly and they have to re-do the process which involves acid bath to remove the chrome. 

I'm in the same boat.  I have fenders and some sidecovers that I want the chrome removed.  I'll be calling around to platers in NJ to see if I can bring my parts in.  I've been media blasting the chrome and on some parts it comes right off, others its a feable attemp.

[Bryan Boyle]

I'd check with local chrome platers.  Not every piece that is chromed comes out perfectly and they have to re-do the process which involves acid bath to remove the chrome. 

I'm in the same boat.  I have fenders and some sidecovers that I want the chrome removed.  I'll be calling around to platers in NJ to see if I can bring my parts in.  I've been media blasting the chrome and on some parts it comes right off, others its a feable attemp.

who have you found in NJ that does a decent job...with all the epa and state regs, the number of shops that do chroming
is a lot fewer than in my callow youth when I was busy rebuilding various english attempts at automotive sculpture and needed
parts redone...

Inquiring minds would like to know.  I have a pile in the storage locker than need work...

[Kevin]

I did have a used set dipped to strip and rechrome, the acid ate right through the pipes. I ended up buying a complete new set, and then having them rechromed with real american chrome (triple chrome plated), as you can see it came out looking awesome.

Good luck!!

Kevin

[GroovieGhoulie]

So most places won't even look at your stuff unless it's operating room-clean?

Hmmm...Makes me rethink having my exhaust replated.  I mean, I would love to, but if they won't touch it....

[Gordon]

So most places won't even look at your stuff unless it's operating room-clean?

Hmmm...Makes me rethink having my exhaust replated.  I mean, I would love to, but if they won't touch it....

Maybe you could plug up the ends so the carbon build-up doesn't contaminate the chrome bath.  Just a thought...

[lohebohi]

Kevin, how bad was the rust on the set that you took in?  That is also a secondary fear of mine.  I am worried that the base metal is pretty thin to begin with.  How about the fenders and chain guard?  I would hate to pull the piece out of the acid bath and see that the piece no longer exists.  Maybe since the original chrome was so thin, the piece should be pulled out of the bath much sooner than normal.

Is there an alternative to blasting, sanding, or acid dipping?

[maksuttt]

Yes.
Alkiline process. Some kind of galvanizing.
Plating shops can do it.
Check it here http://www.nmfrc.org/crarchive/jan02a.cfm

[petescb]

I wouldn't happen to know about any environmental regs regarding chroming in the UK, but in the States most shops would first "pickle" the part in an acid to remove the chrome, then polish the metal to remove as many pits as possible, then chrome it in three steps (nickel, copper, chrome).  It's standard and straightforward.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

The reference to Brown's is close but not TN. It's 1010 Krebs Station Rd ; Paducah, KY 42003 270-554-1146. Excellent work if they will do this for you. I had my valve cover chromed there approx 1977 and it still looks great. They once again do retail. Hopefully the phone number is still the same. Was 502- which has changed to 270- and the zip was 42001 but has changed. This phone number is from Custom Bike 12-1982 but I know the area code has changed. Once a Paducahan, always a Paducahan.

[dusterdude]

hell,i was close.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Hell, KY - TN , we all sound alike.

[kaceyf2]

chrome can be removed by the obvious way.....reversing the anode in solution....chroming exhaust headers in Uk is no problem..see "blue" paper that comes with "tansha" (VJMC magazine) approx thirty pounds per header!  With thin parts,one can build up the copper over none leaded "soldered in" build up, use like filler, and make even thicker if required by copper-forming principle....polish, then nickel ,polish then chrome. again refer to caswell plating.com..........made simple.