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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Groover on October 01, 2022, 09:11:23 AM
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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What bike? Maybe replacing them would cost less?
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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!
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The front rotor on a Triumph that I have had horribly pitted and worn chrome on the surface.
Looked like this:
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/923/HxUXwP.jpg)
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
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/922/DByoRF.jpg)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/923/MawpWk.jpg)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/922/F9Zajb.jpg)
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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......
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.