Author Topic: Removing Chrome Plating  (Read 685 times)

Offline Groover

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • Posts: 2855
  • If it ain't broke, I'll break it.
    • Scooteropolis
  • Location: Columbus, Ohio
Removing Chrome Plating
« on: October 01, 2022, 09:11:23 AM »
What is the best way to remove chrome plating off pipes? If too complicated, do you think ceramic coating paint over the chrome will stick/last? Just gathering ideas on this.


Let me know your thoughts or experience on this.


Thanks,
Sam
1981 Moto Guzzi V1000G5
1987 Moto Guzzi LM1000SE, a
1987 Moto Guzzi LM1000SE, b
1980 Piaggio Vespa P200E
1980 Piaggio Vespa P125X
1980 Vespa Grande Moped
1980 Vespa SI Moped
http://scooteropolis.com/

Online Turin

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 5146
    • crap and stuff
  • Location: Chandler, Arizona
Re: Removing Chrome Plating
« Reply #1 on: October 01, 2022, 11:08:12 AM »
Couldn't you just sand the chrome so the paint would have something to adhere to? I can't think of any way to strip it off.
1997 Daytona RS
1991 Rennsport California III
1991 LeMans 1000
1987 LeMans SE Dave's Cycle Racer
1984 LeMans III
1985 Sidlow Guzzi
1974 850-T Sport
1969 A-series Ambassador
1996 Triumph Daytona 1200
1996 Triumph Daytona 900
1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 Balocco SE 3.0

Offline nc43bsa

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 1353
  • Location: Mooresville NC
Re: Removing Chrome Plating
« Reply #2 on: October 01, 2022, 11:22:28 AM »
I had the chrome stripped from a set of crash bars at a chrome plating shop. 

I have read elsewhere that chrome (also ceramic coating shops) are reluctant to deal with old exhaust pipes because the crud inside the pipes pollutes their solutions.
1990 MilleGT

Offline Groover

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • Posts: 2855
  • If it ain't broke, I'll break it.
    • Scooteropolis
  • Location: Columbus, Ohio
Re: Removing Chrome Plating
« Reply #3 on: October 01, 2022, 11:37:18 AM »
Ok, thanks for the replies. I've never tried sanding chrome, if that's the case, I think that will do. My powdercoater also turned down anything that was too cruddy with oil.
1981 Moto Guzzi V1000G5
1987 Moto Guzzi LM1000SE, a
1987 Moto Guzzi LM1000SE, b
1980 Piaggio Vespa P200E
1980 Piaggio Vespa P125X
1980 Vespa Grande Moped
1980 Vespa SI Moped
http://scooteropolis.com/

Wildguzzi.com

Re: Removing Chrome Plating
« Reply #3 on: October 01, 2022, 11:37:18 AM »

Offline fotoguzzi

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 19931
  • vee git tooh soon oldt und too late wise -my Dad
Re: Removing Chrome Plating
« Reply #4 on: October 01, 2022, 12:51:30 PM »
What bike? Maybe replacing them would cost less?
MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Offline Groover

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • Posts: 2855
  • If it ain't broke, I'll break it.
    • Scooteropolis
  • Location: Columbus, Ohio
Re: Removing Chrome Plating
« Reply #5 on: October 01, 2022, 01:03:22 PM »
It's for a set of ratty T3/G5 Valteks I just bought off of Moto here. They are heavily pitted, and I plan to either ceramic coat them black or spray paint then black with ceramic/engine type paint, to then ultimately use them on an LM4, though I'd still want them to have the upsweap overall shape of the exhaust system like the originals (or close) and ideally keep the stock headers and do all the finagling of angles at the crossover if possible. Something along those lines. Hope that makes sense.
1981 Moto Guzzi V1000G5
1987 Moto Guzzi LM1000SE, a
1987 Moto Guzzi LM1000SE, b
1980 Piaggio Vespa P200E
1980 Piaggio Vespa P125X
1980 Vespa Grande Moped
1980 Vespa SI Moped
http://scooteropolis.com/

Offline Canuck750

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 2138
  • Location: Edmonton, Canada
Re: Removing Chrome Plating
« Reply #6 on: October 01, 2022, 01:19:42 PM »
I think Muriatic acid will remove the chrome, it sure removes zinc playing in a hurry!

Nasty stuff though, you would need to make a bath to immerse them in, it would probably take some time, perhaps an hour?

Have to do it outdoors, heavy polyethylene inside a 2 x 6 frame?
48 Guzzi Airone, 57 Guzzi Cardellino, 65 Benelli 200 sprite, 66 Aermacchi Sprint, 68 Gilera 106 SS, 72 Eldorado, 72 Benelli 180, 74 Guzzi 750S, 73 Laverda SF1, 74  Benelli 650S, 75 Ducati 860GT, 75 Moto Morini 3-1/2, 78 Moto Morinii 500

Online bigbikerrick

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • Posts: 5848
  • 73 Eldo, 98 V 11 ,12 Ural Gear Up, 76 Convert,
  • Location: Southeastern corner of Arizona, right next to "Old Mexico, and New Mexico"
Re: Removing Chrome Plating
« Reply #7 on: October 01, 2022, 01:23:49 PM »
I am in the same boat. Ihave a set of old Convert mufflers that are in good shape, but the chrome has been repainted black, and the black paint has flaked off in a few spots. I tried sanding them with 400 grit sandpaper, and spraying with high heat paint. I am not very happy with the adhesion of the paint, so I plan to sandblast them, then either re paint, or have them ceramic coated.
Rick.
"You meet the most interesting people on a Guzzi"

Offline nc43bsa

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 1353
  • Location: Mooresville NC
Re: Removing Chrome Plating
« Reply #8 on: October 01, 2022, 03:16:38 PM »
I am in the same boat. Ihave a set of old Convert mufflers that are in good shape, but the chrome has been repainted black, and the black paint has flaked off in a few spots. I tried sanding them with 400 grit sandpaper, and spraying with high heat paint. I am not very happy with the adhesion of the paint, so I plan to sandblast them, then either re paint, or have them ceramic coated.
Rick.

For those, I'd recommend a chemical stripper and see what kind of shape the chrome is underneath.  If that doesn't get all of the paint off, media blasting.
1990 MilleGT

Online SIR REAL ED

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 2250
  • uh.... it's personal....
  • Location: Forest, VA
Re: Removing Chrome Plating
« Reply #9 on: October 01, 2022, 06:05:37 PM »
When in doubt:

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=how+to+remove+chrome+plating+on+steel&t=h_&ia=web

One advisor claims you can remove chrome plating by soaking in Acetone, Bleach, or Ammonia.

I find the Acetone soak, a bit hard to...... swallow!

"If reading shite on the internet will trigger your head exploding, please wrap your head in Gorilla tape before logging on.  Thanks!!!"

2019 Beta EVO 250
1999 Suzuki DR 650 w/790cc kit
1994, 2001, & 2002 MZ Skorpions
1992 YAMAHA TDM850

Offline radguzzi

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • Posts: 7301
  • N 44° 01.233 W 069° 41.267 ~ Midcoast, Maine USA
Re: Removing Chrome Plating
« Reply #10 on: October 01, 2022, 06:59:59 PM »
The front rotor on a Triumph that I have had horribly pitted and worn chrome on the surface.

Looked like this:



From a rebuild thread on a '78 Triumph Bonniville refresh that I have going on Adv Rider:  Rotor without chrome...

So I did the sulfuric acid (battery acid) bit and sure enough, no more chrome plating. The rotor does not appear to be cast iron, no rust and the finish is odd but I like the result. There is just a hint of where the plating was in a couple of spots and in look only, no ridge on the surface when you run your finger over it.

When I ever get this rig back on the road I can evaluate the performance of the rotor under usual braking situations.
I can always just go with new but for now, I am going to run it.

I went with a silver/gray engine enamel for the center vs black, just because.


The sulfuric brush on applications took a couple of sessions, about two hours each...

Besst,
Rob












« Last Edit: October 01, 2022, 07:10:59 PM by radguzzi »
Current:
2004 EV Touring
'99 EV Hack
'76 V1000 'Vert
'80 SP 1000
2013 Harley FLHTC
'75 Triumph T160 Trident
'78 Triumph T140V Bonneville
'78 Yamaha XS 650
'88 Honda Hawk GT
'84 RZ350 KR
'71 Dalesman Trials

A VeeDub and an MGB...

The Journey is the Reward

Online SIR REAL ED

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 2250
  • uh.... it's personal....
  • Location: Forest, VA
Re: Removing Chrome Plating
« Reply #11 on: October 01, 2022, 07:35:09 PM »
Looks great.

Muriatic acid is also supposed to be a great chrome stripper.  Less than a minute according to some who have tried it.

Sounds like a great experiment for either brush on, or a spray bottle......
« Last Edit: October 01, 2022, 10:12:09 PM by SIR REAL ED »
"If reading shite on the internet will trigger your head exploding, please wrap your head in Gorilla tape before logging on.  Thanks!!!"

2019 Beta EVO 250
1999 Suzuki DR 650 w/790cc kit
1994, 2001, & 2002 MZ Skorpions
1992 YAMAHA TDM850

Offline hauto

  • Gosling
  • ***
  • Posts: 254
Re: Removing Chrome Plating
« Reply #12 on: October 02, 2022, 07:35:29 AM »
if you blast with silicon carbide media it will strip it off. Need to have assess to a cabinet big enough to fit your pipes. THe media is pricy and you will want to recover what's left. I was using it after doing some work in a custom glass business. They use it to etch glass. Maybe a similar place in your area might do it for you,maybe

Online Scout63

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 2682
  • Location: Orleans, MA USA
Re: Removing Chrome Plating
« Reply #13 on: October 02, 2022, 07:39:48 AM »
The technical way to remove chrome plating is to reverse the anode/cathode in a chrome plating setup.  Have you emailed jet hot coating to see if they can coat over chrome Groover  I’ve found their quotes very reasonable.
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Groover

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • Posts: 2855
  • If it ain't broke, I'll break it.
    • Scooteropolis
  • Location: Columbus, Ohio
Re: Removing Chrome Plating
« Reply #14 on: October 02, 2022, 08:47:04 AM »
Thanks again for the replies. I'm intrigued about the sulfuric brush on application mentioned by radguzzi. Is that something that is easy to purchase somewhere? Thanks again, so far I'm leaning towards sanding and seeing how it goes first. I'll be getting the pipes next week, then I'll be able to assess. Thanks again.
1981 Moto Guzzi V1000G5
1987 Moto Guzzi LM1000SE, a
1987 Moto Guzzi LM1000SE, b
1980 Piaggio Vespa P200E
1980 Piaggio Vespa P125X
1980 Vespa Grande Moped
1980 Vespa SI Moped
http://scooteropolis.com/

Online SIR REAL ED

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 2250
  • uh.... it's personal....
  • Location: Forest, VA
Re: Removing Chrome Plating
« Reply #15 on: October 02, 2022, 09:02:03 AM »
Thanks again for the replies. I'm intrigued about the sulfuric brush on application mentioned by radguzzi. Is that something that is easy to purchase somewhere? Thanks again, so far I'm leaning towards sanding and seeing how it goes first. I'll be getting the pipes next week, then I'll be able to assess. Thanks again.

I'm don't know where to purchase sulfuric acid, but muriatic acid is available at almost any Ace or True Value hardware store.  Also swimming pool supply stores, and I would imagine Home Depot, Lowes, Tractor Supply, etc also carry it.
"If reading shite on the internet will trigger your head exploding, please wrap your head in Gorilla tape before logging on.  Thanks!!!"

2019 Beta EVO 250
1999 Suzuki DR 650 w/790cc kit
1994, 2001, & 2002 MZ Skorpions
1992 YAMAHA TDM850

 

Quad Lock - The best GPS / phone mount system for your motorcycles, no damage to your cameras!!
Get a Wildguzzi discount of 10% off your order!
http://quadlock.refr.cc/luapmckeever
Advertise Here