chrome removal

[mr_tomcat123]

hi all
i'm trying to remove the chrome on my revell corvette's wheels
i remember reading some time back that both coke and bleahc works
(and easy clean up)
however, none seem to be removing the shiny stuff below...

question is...
would any of them actually remove the shiny stuff?
how long do i have to wait if they do?
would paint (semi-gloss black is going to be used) stick if that shiny coat is not removed?

thanks a lot~!

[MPWR]

There's some variability to the gloss agent different manufacturers use for chroming. Some is easily removed, and some takes more effort. Paint will stick on it just fine, and look great if it is undamaged- it is essentially clear gloss primer. If you really want to remove it, there are a number of things that will work:

Isopropyl alcohol
Multipuropse cleaner/degreaser (CSC, Purple Power, etc)
Oven Cleaner
Brake fluid
Lacquer thinner
Unleaded petrol
Fire

Some of these are safer for plastic than others....

[bark]

pure bleach! it takes any where from 5 minutes to a few hours, maily 5minutes though!

ive never had a problem with just plane janebleach!

[73superduty]

If you have access to easy off oven cleaner, the yellow can, that will remove the clear glaze. However when working with it make sure to wear hand and eye protection, as well as some kind of mask.

It has not let me down yet.

Chris

[CFarias]

SuperClean works great. It will strip the chrome of Revell parts right before your eyes.

Here's a link to the product: http://www.superclean.com/index.php

Buy the gallon jug (labeled Tough Task Cleaner-Degreaser) as it is also good for stripping paint off car bodies and, naturally, great around the house.

Be carefull, however, as it is a very powerfull degreaser and can easily dry your hands out. Use latex or vinyl medical gloves (which are also good for protecting your hands while you airbrush) and pour it into a plastic container that has a lid for safe storage while it strips your parts.

You can find this at automotive stores or major retailers.

After a number of uses it will turn from purple to green to yellow. This is because of the dissolved chrome and gloss coat from the parts. It is still plenty good and will last you a very long time.

[grundski]

I use clorox bleach pour it into a jar, toss in the parts put a lid on it and walk away. Check every once in a while till it's all gone.

The only problem with oven cleaner is it is a HUGE mess to clean up and it affects the paint if you don't clean it spotless.

[rockinanko]

for chrome i use used brake fluid...yet again.

there's no bad effects & the chrome just drop off like flaks after 1 day.

[MPWR]

Brake fluid can always destroy plastic. It doesn't always, but I would never use it on a part I couldn't easily replace.

[rockinanko]

Originally Posted by MPWR

Brake fluid can always destroy plastic. It doesn't always, but I would never use it on a part I couldn't easily replace.

well til today it didn't fail me that's for sure andy.
take a look at what i've stripped with brake fluid now...


here's a mixture of older revell & newer tamiya plastic parts...so far so good!
but the same cannot be said for the die-cast 250LM though...

[wouter1981]

I like MPWR's idea of using fire ;-)
For the diecast body use something stronger like cellulose thinner. Just do it outside or with a verry good mask. I once hade a headache for a week because I used a strong solvent indoors... can't be healthy ;-)