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Herreshoff Forum => Whatever => Topic started by: Adam on December 31, 2011, 05:01:06 AM

Title: chrome removal
Post by: Adam on December 31, 2011, 05:01:06 AM

I have an old set of anchor chocks I'm modifying to fit a Herreshoff anchor - they are chromed bronze - any good way other then grinding to remove the chrome?

Title: Re: chrome removal
Post by: Steve on December 31, 2011, 12:40:09 PM

You might try galvanic corrosion.  I am going to try and describe this from memory.  You should probably Google it.  It worked real well in cleaning up some of the old bronze from my BB15, ELF.

1.  I used a casserole dish.  Line it with aluminum foil.
2.  Fill the dish with boiling water.
3.  Super-saturate the hot water with salt and baking soda.
4.  Soak the items you wish to clean for about, hmmm, 2 hours?
5.  Remove cleaned items.

Essentially, the aluminum has low galvanic nobility and acts as a "martyr".  At the end of this exercise, you will be surprised by how much the aluminum foil has deteriorated.  The bronze has much higher nobility and, consequently, is safe.  Chrome is somewhere in-between.  I don't know if it will work, but you could give it a shot.

Title: Re: chrome removal
Post by: Adam on January 01, 2012, 06:30:12 PM

Exactly what I was looking for...thanks Steve. Will let you know...

Title: Re: chrome removal
Post by: Adam on March 26, 2012, 07:07:46 PM

Didn't work....tried again with a low DC current in the brine. Didn't work but ate up the tin foil in half the time....So if you want to get rid of tin foil I have a great method...but crome seems to stick just fine....Oh well - any other idea's?.

Title: Re: chrome removal
Post by: Alan on March 30, 2012, 04:45:24 AM

A few possibilities found on the internet for removing chrome plating:
Try oven spray cleaner foam. May darken metal if left on too long. Wear gloves and clean your oven while you're at it.
Soak in Coke. That's Coca-Cola. May take hours. Will also take the paint off your car.
Soak in household bleach. Wear gloves and ventilate well. Comes out very clean.
Rub with brake fluid for 10 min. Don't get this stuff on your skin. May darken metal. May slow things down.
Use at your own risk. No guarantee.

Title: Re: chrome removal
Post by: Steve on March 30, 2012, 11:03:12 AM

Apparently, hot rod shops use muriatic acid.  Check this: http://www.ehow.com/way_6332204_muriatic-acid-chrome-removal.html

Title: Re: chrome removal
Post by: Adam on March 30, 2012, 02:38:15 PM

Yeah the pro's use a bath of acids.... But it wouldn't be the internet if I didn't try some home grown, dangerous, cheap, yet ultimately worthless process first before taking them to a chrome shop.....

Title: Re: chrome removal
Post by: Steve on March 30, 2012, 02:44:55 PM

You can get muriatic acid at Home Depot.  I believe it is quite cheap.

Title: Re: chrome removal
Post by: Adam on March 30, 2012, 04:05:19 PM

Acid....this ought to be fun.  ::) :P