Chrome removal

[Famous Frank]

Weird restoration question.

The seat hold downs on my Elan were chrome plated by a previous owner. They left the factory painted black. The chrome is not only gaudy, but it's rusty in spots and starting to peel. When it gets caught in your skin, it is not fun getting it out. Much like a bad sliver. I have tried media blasting them in my cabinet but then I get these waffle thin pieces of chrome mixed in with my media and some of it continues to adhere to the bracket.

Does anyone know how I remove the chrome from these brackets? Is there a chemical that will dissolve chrome? Or?

Many thanks in advance,
Frank

[prezoom]

Any chrome shop strips chrome chemically prior to re-chromimg. It is the first step in the process. Just find the closest chrome shop and ask them to dip your parts.

Rob Walker
26-4889

[niagra]

Just find the closest chrome shop and ask them to dip your parts.

Rob Walker
26-4889

oo-er

[ken ob]

Yes that does sound painful !!

[Famous Frank]

Thanks guys but I was looking for a way to remove the chrome myself. We had a few chrome shops years ago but the last one closed its doors three years ago in the state of Georgia. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) here in the USA is putting many of the chrome shops in the country out of business. There is a place I was contemplating using to get some other parts chromed and I know they could do it but they are in Chicago and I'm in Atlanta, ..... about 750 miles away. There are two other places I know of, one in Tennessee and another in Alabama but they quoted me 5 to six weeks which is their way of saying they don't want to mess with such a small job and one has a $100 minimum charge.

If I can't learn how to do it myself I might have to send it to Chicago.

[billwill]

You could alway try CocaCola, they say it dissolves almost everthing.

Are your sand-blasting shops closed out too. I expect it wont withstand that.

[billwill]

How about a chunk of steel or other metal (try copper) a plastic bucket of salt water and a car battery.
Connect one lead to your object & the other lead to your chunk of metal. Dunk in the salt water without them touching together.

If nothing seems to happen try reversin the leads.

[rcraven]

This question arose on another forum I use. The consensus was take it to a professional chrome plater who must have facilities for stripping before plating. The most common other suggestion was hydrochloric acid, but it was also pointed out that decent chrome plating should have nickel plating underneath it and then you'll also need something different to dissolve this.
As already mentioned "reverse" plating might work if you use the correct chemicals.

[Famous Frank]

Hmm, It sounds like I had better ship them to Chicago. With my luck, I'll have trouble disposing of any left over chemicals when it's over anyway. It doesn't sound like a simple process of getting a can of something at the local hardware store and having them chrome free by morning. Thank you everyone! I have spare brackets but they are pitted. Wouldn't you know it's always the case, the chrome ones don't have any pits at all. Murphy's Law!

[RogerFrench]

Have you thought about buying new ones? Might even be cheaper.

[gjz30075]

Elan Seat Clamps
Brand new clamps to replace your rusted old ones. Two per seat.

Ref. 26B0137 $36.00 each

From Ray.

[gjz30075]

60 grit sanding bands on a Dremel seemed to work for this guy

http://www.shopfloortalk.com/forums/sho ... hp?t=18473

[Famous Frank]

Thanks Greg but for $144 plus shipping, ........well I'm a little frugal so I still think I'll send them out.

BTW - You better start saving for a new wiring harness!!! Does anyone have a real nice, almost new or preferably new wiring harness for a LHD 72 Sprint? Greg needs one bad.

Frank

[pharriso]

Thanks Greg but for $144 plus shipping, ........well I'm a little frugal so I still think I'll send them out.

BTW - You better start saving for a new wiring harness!!! Does anyone have a real nice, almost new or preferably new wiring harness for a LHD 72 Sprint? Greg needs one bad.

Frank

Why? Do tell...

[RichardHawkins]

Frank,

I assume you want to finish them in black. I would take them to my local powder coating company, who shot blasts items before coating. Turning chrome items black is currently popular with motorcyclists, especially Harley Davidson owners.

By the way, when blast cleaning, as you have noticed, you may end up recycling the contaminant you wish to remove. This can result in paint, or some other coating not adhering as had been expected.

Richard Hawkins