removing chrome question

To date I have removed chrome from parts by soaking in DOT 3/4 - it comes of fine with a toothbrush but takes a few days to get it all off.DOT3 bath is always glittery with bits of chrome plate residue.

Recently though I read about using bleach to remove chrome so I tried it out with Domestos Gel. After about 10 seconds the chrome fades away in front of me and the part is colour of original plastic. No visible residue left in the bleach.

I was so surprised at the speed that I decided to look closer and it seems to me that there is still a kind of "film" over the pieces that is probably coming form the original chroming process.

Here's my question: did the chrome just bleach the colour away or did it remove the chrome? Can I just prime over this slightly glossy film and then paint or do I need to remove that too?

Would be gratefull if other "bleachers" would share their experience with me.

Thanks in advance.

Kit chrome is a two-layer process. The outer layer being the visible chrome plating and the inner layer of clear paint that is applied underneath the chrome. If that clear paint wasn't applied, the chrome would not be shiny. W/bleach you have only removed the outer layer of plating which is very thin.

Most people will tell you to remove the clear as well, but if you are painting the part and the clear isn't too thick and isn't filling in detail, I'd just leave it as-is, just use the clear as a primer and save the time it takes to completely remove the clear which can take awhile.

Only if I'm restoring chrome parts by sending them to a service to have them replated will I remove all the clear underneath.

Kit chrome is a two-layer process...

Only if I'm restoring chrome parts by sending them to a service to have them replated will I remove all the clear underneath.

Thanks for that. It fits right in with what I thought.

So what do you use to remove the clear paint? DOT?

You're lucky to have access to a re-chroming service :) I suppose the final result really is better than kit chroming or alclad2

Oven cleaner takes the chrome and clear base off in one step, it should take the clear off too... - Mark

try csc, leave the chrome parts in there for about an hour and everything comes off without scrubbing

I have been using vinegar for quite a while. It seems to work very well, quite fast, and isn't nearly as caustic as some of the other methods. I don't know if it's leaving the clear film or not, as I usually paint right over the stripped part. :p

Not all companies use the clear layer under the chrome. Fujimi for instance don't. Not sure about Tamiya, Revell certainly do.

Not all companies use the clear layer under the chrome. Fujimi for instance don't. Not sure about Tamiya, Revell certainly do.

It's actually a Monogram Lotus Esprit US Version that I tried bleach on so I'm guessing in that case that it's a Revell in mufti (or vice versa)...

BTW this is a kit I should have tackled with more experience under my belt - talk about bad filtting!! :uhoh:

oven leaner is the quick and easy way to remve chrome and all hidden underneath layers

I heard Castro Super Clean works the best for stripping paint. But I'm not sure if it will work on chrome.

I heard Castro Super Clean works the best for stripping paint. But I'm not sure if it will work on chrome.

I've used it and Simple Green to strip paint, but it didn't seem to work well on the chrome I tried.