Removing chrome?

[OPBN]

Looking to remove flaking chrome from an aluminum tipped barrel. Any suggestions? I have used EasyOff on aluminum to remove ano before, but wasnt sure it if would be effective on chrome.

Thanks.

[Ando]

You can sand blast it but will require a re-polishing, chances are if your not careful, you'll dig into the aluminum and screw up the item. Best way is to zap it electrically, same way you plate something but opposite polarity which takes it off (so I've been told). I know you can use chemicals but they don't sell the stuff over the counter.

Take it to a plate or anno shop. They should have the know how to do it properly.

[OPBN]

You can sand blast it but will require a re-polishing but chances are if your not careful, you'll dig into the aluminum and screw up the item. Best way is to zap it electrically, same way you plate something but opposite polarity which takes it off (so I've been told). I know you can use chemicals but they don't sell the stuff over the counter.

Take it to a plate or anno shop. They should have the know how to do it properly.

It's a relatively inexpensive barrel, not worth sending out to get messed with. Might just have to break out the wire wheel.

[Spider-TW]

Post #7 here is pretty good. I would try this, outdoors.

http://forum.caswellplating.com/electroplating-questions/2883-how-remove-chrome.html

Don't store the acid in the heat. Around here it vaporizes and starts eating walls. I would probably dump the excess. It's usually in the tile section.

I knew there wasn't a friendly way to strip chrome, but at least muratic acid is common.

[wimag]

Best way is to zap it electrically, same way you plate something but opposite polarity which takes it off (so I've been told). .

Absolutely not. only time an electrical charge would be introduced would be to draw the substrate to the surface you are coating, not the other way around.

Like others have indicated, bead blast it..there are other types of media that can remove the chrome without marring the surface too much. Walnut shells for exampleas opposed to sand.
You can strip it with a mild acidic solution just dont dilute the mix yourself, bad things will happen.

[Rudz]

EXEPTIONS: On white metal (aluminum, pot metal, etc.) sand blasting is about your only option, since those types of metals can't tolerate the acidic chemicals.

-taken from the link Spider posted..

[Spider-TW]

EXEPTIONS: On white metal (aluminum, pot metal, etc.) sand blasting is about your only option, since those types of metals can't tolerate the acidic chemicals.

-taken from the link Spider posted..

Yeah, but I would take dadkar2's post at face value. The statement above isn't quite accurate considering you can leave aluminum and lead electrodes in sulfuric acid for a long time (months and years). It's also hard to take blanket statements about acids. Stainless hates weak sulfuric, but you can use cast iron. Concentrated sulfuric is different.

However, I haven't tried muratic on aluminum, and I think I have thrown out all that I had. I think I have a .696 back I would try this on.