Stripping chrome - my experience

Hello everyone

Wanted to share my experience in stripping chrome off parts, either those that don't need to be chromed, or those that need a better solution that what we get in the kit.

In a nutshell, all went well and smooth. It's quite easy, actually. As suggested, I used bleach to strip chrome itself. I did that to parts from two kits - a Revell AG Diablo VT and a Revell-Monogram GT350H Mustang. With the diablo the parts were clear of chrome after just several minutes spent in the bleach, the Mustang parts I left there for the night as the process wasn't as fast. Anyway, same result in both cases - all the chrome was gone. The bleach to use is the cheap one, one that has chlorine in it.

Now, as some of you know, there is a layer of clear paint underlying the chrome in most cases. It's really visible once you dry the part - it will be shiny. No biggie there too - after several hours in DOT4 brake fluid it was also gone, so parts are all clean plastic pieces now.

This was the first time I tried to dechrome anything, and if you want to do this, but are afraid that it's complicated - don't be, it's very easy and effective. Of course excercise caution when dealing with chemicals, gloves are highly recommended.

Keep modelling,
Alex

im stripping some revell parts right now...how long does it take for the chrome to come off?

Really depends, rangine from 15 minutes to a few hours. Just look at the part from time to time. And don't forget to strip the clear layer that is usually found underneath the chrome.

thanks for the quick reply...does the brand matter any?

I've only tried one (ACE), but I don't think it would matter.

If you want to strip the chrome and clearcoat nothing is quicker than regular(yellow can)Easy-Off oven cleaner. It takes about 10 minutes. It is not alway necessary to remove the clearcoat, it depends what paint you will be using over it.

Thanks ales, I'll have to try that some day. Sounds very easy.

well..now theres a problem. I had the parts in around 12:30, they sat in the bleech till 5 or so and nothing happened to them. Could DOT 3 brake fluid work too? I looked and I have no oven cleaner and can't get any CSC.

What bleach did you use? Don't use the one that is supposed to be very gentle on the laundry - it contains no chloride, use the cheapest one you can get. Here is a pic of the rim I practiced stripping chrome on.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/ales12911/IMG_0253.jpg

And here's the original

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/ales12911/IMG_0255.jpg

I use goo gone in a gerber baby food container

I use goo gone in a gerber baby food container

Gerber vegetables or cereals?

Use Easy-Off, it removes the bleach and the thick clearcoat in one application. You should really remove the clearcoat too, on the Revell Civic models its really thick and obscures detail.

You can also try using Draino or Liquid plumber (the clogged drain stuff) I have used that with success.
John

Hi to all,
Whenever I hear of using all sorts of stuff to strip chrome in ONLY a few hours or ONLY overnight I just have to shake my head. 935K3 got it right. Easy-Off oven cleaner. This stuff can get in done in a few minutes. You can put the parts in a zip lock bag, spray it and seal it. Trust me, within five to ten minutes you'll see results. And for even quicker results you can massage the parts inside the bag. After that simply wash it and presto. It's fast, relatively quick and it even comes in pine scent.

Why shake you head? Modelling isn't an Olympic event. It is a pastime best approached SLOWLY. :)

Glass mashed crap containers... oh I mean healthy good start to life mush