Chrome removal

[Punx Clever]

I agree with RAT... do it chemically.

[MendoDave]

Now that's the kind of advice I'm looking for! Chrome plater here I come.

[speedknot]

Now that's the kind of advice I'm looking for! Chrome plater here I come.

Be prepared to pay.  I dechromed/rechromed the rims on my first Honda resto. only to find out that I could buy brand new ones for a fraction of the price.  I know that's not your situation but just the dechroming process was very coslty.  
I don't know about the rest of the country, but where I live in NY, the EPA restrictions are very stringent and the few chrome platers in my area price accordingly.  They explained to me that to strip the old chrome is pretty much the same "step" process, just in reverse.  Chrome>>Copper>>Nickel.  Hopefully you'll have cheaper shops near you but I paid out the nose.  Also, the local shops gave me attitude because it wasn't a sizable job.  make the beast with two backs them.  Below is a link with some useful info.  

http://www.finishing.com/faqs/chrome.html

[speedknot]

How cool would a copper plated monster tank be? 
Gives me an idear!

I have a picture of an old Triumph chopper with a copper tank and some other copper bits.  Looks awesome.  I'll see if I can find the pics.  If you like copper, check this out.  http://ahbald.blogspot.com/2010/09/for-sale-1965-shelby-cobra-copper.html

BTW: An idea is good but an idear is even better!

[MendoDave]

And thank you for that. Good info.
Maybe not so fast down to the chrome shop.

[speedknot]

And thank you for that. Good info.
Maybe not so fast down to the chrome shop.

Give'em a call first.  I was stubborn in that I needed to have the original DID rims on my bike and I pushed the issue to get them rechromed at any cost.  I think these jerk-off chrome shops near me knew they had me by the balls and ran with it.  I think they try to discourage you from coming back with little bits and pieces of your projects.  Maybe you might have better luck with someone in your area.

[rgramjet]

I have a picture of an old Triumph chopper with a copper tank and some other copper bits.  Looks awesome.  I'll see if I can find the pics.  If you like copper, check this out.  http://ahbald.blogspot.com/2010/09/for-sale-1965-shelby-cobra-copper.html

BTW: An idea is good but an idear is even better!

That Cobra is so badass I can't even stand it.  Copper Monster tank, just as badass!

[RAT900]

Be prepared to pay.  I dechromed/rechromed the rims on my first Honda resto. only to find out that I could buy brand new ones for a fraction of the price.  I know that's not your situation but just the dechroming process was very coslty.  
I don't know about the rest of the country, but where I live in NY, the EPA restrictions are very stringent and the few chrome platers in my area price accordingly.  They explained to me that to strip the old chrome is pretty much the same "step" process, just in reverse.  Chrome>>Copper>>Nickel.  Hopefully you'll have cheaper shops near you but I paid out the nose.  Also, the local shops gave me attitude because it wasn't a sizable job.  make the beast with two backs them.  Below is a link with some useful info.  

http://www.finishing.com/faqs/chrome.html

Who did you use? that evil old lady at Nassau Chrome in Mineola?....true strap-on prices.

I used Rick at V-Twins on Hamilton Ave in Oyster Bay. He does the chrome work at his shop over in NJ 3 days a week

516-922-5059...shop hours are 3pm onward

For the header pipes on my resto project it was 90 bucks a pipe to de-crud them (and they had major crud) de-chrome them and rechrome them

Maybe he is cheaper because his chroming operation is in Joisey

When you are doing piece parts there are no economies of scale and the same part new (if you can get it) will usually/always be cheaper if it was mass produced

[speedknot]

Who did you use? that evil old lady at Nassau Chrome in Mineola?....true strap-on prices.
I used Rick at V-Twins on Hamilton Ave in Oyster Bay. He does the chrome work at his shop over in NJ 3 days a week
516-922-5059...shop hours are 3pm onward
For the header pipes on my resto project it was 90 bucks a pipe to de-crud them (and they had major crud) de-chrome them and rechrome them
Maybe he is cheaper because his chroming operation is in Joisey
When you are doing piece parts there are no economies of scale and the same part new (if you can get it) will usually/always be cheaper if it was mass produced

Aye.  Good recommendation.  Yes, it was the evil hag at Nassau Chromium.  There was another plating shop in Bellport that was run by a young guy who was very arrogant and pretty much told me it was a waste of time to restore old Japanese bikes.  It's no wonder why he's out of business.  I had come across a few shops in NJ but I wasn't about to make the trip.  I have a nice set of 4 into 1 pipes for my CB400F that I will want to get chromed so I'll look Rick up when I'm ready.  Thanks again.

[RAT900]

You're welcome. Rick does good work, is old school/old time Harley (you may have to apologize for the Japanese thing  )

He can use the business, he came highly recommended by a family in town

that does concours-grade vintage Ferrari restorations as a side hobby

to their diesel motor business and industrial on-site power generator business

Rick is a block over from Billy Joel's little personal museum

I am happy with his work

[Langanobob]

+1

Based on my experience, older (read better) chrome can be particularly hard (if not impossible) to remove via blasting. Sometimes all you'll do is sort of peen the surface, which might be enough to be able to paint.

Black chrome may be easier to remove though....

I don't think you can remove chrome by sandblasting without seriously damaging places on the base metal. I think you're right that all you need to do is sandblast the chrome enough to roughen it to provide some tooth for the paint to stick to.  Maybe DP knows for sure.   

[ducpainter]

I don't think you can remove chrome by sandblasting without seriously damaging places on the base metal. I think you're right that all you need to do is sandblast the chrome enough to roughen it to provide some tooth for the paint to stick to.  Maybe DP knows for sure.   

I don't think you'd damage the base metal unless it was sheet metal, and then it would probably warp a bit.

I've had success blasting to roughen and using epoxy primer for adhesion.