Removing Chrome with Specialized Machinery

1. Use an abrasive blaster. Abrasive blasting (e.g., sand blasting, bead blasting, etc.) is
a process by which materials are abraded with a spray of fine-grain powder or tiny
pellets. Often, auto body shops and construction companies will have access to such
devices. Prolonged abrasive blasting can remove an object's chrome finish, though
touch-up work may need to be done on the object's hard-to-reach areas afterwords.

You may want to use a relatively fine-grain medium (for instance, 400-grit
sand) when blasting your chrome to prevent damage to the underlying metal.
Note that the airborne dust and sediment produced by chipping off tiny pieces
of chrome while using an abrasive blaster can be toxic, so use appropriate
face/mouth protection.

2. Use an ultrasonic cleaner. Ultrasonic cleaners are special devices that use sound
waves to clean delicate, difficult-to-clean items like jewelry. Ultrasonic cleaners can
even remove chrome in some situations (especially when the chrome has already been
loosened with another method). Place chrome items in the ultrasonic cleaner's basket
and submerge them in a cleaning solution (often ordinary water), then allow the cleaner
to run according to its instructions.

Using a solvent that can dissolve chrome (for instance, bleach, as noted above)
rather than water can enhance the chrome-removing power of an ultrasonic
cleaner. However, only do so if the solution you use will not corrode the
cleaner or otherwise react with it in any way. For instance, as noted below, lye
will react with aluminum containers.
Note that, while ultrasound machines come in a variety of sizes, most will only
hold relatively small items, such as jewelry, lug-nuts, tools, ornaments, etc.

Removing Chrome with Chemical Solutions

1. Use hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid). Hydrochloric, or muriatic, acid, is a strong,

corrosive acid. In high concentrations, it can be used to remove chrome plating from
metal objects. For removing chrome, an acid solution of about 30-40% concentration
should suffice. Proceed as below:

Mix 1/3 part hydrochloric acid to 1 part water in a vat used for chemical
mixtures (like a heavy-duty plastic bucket, etc.) to produce a 30% acid
solution. Alternatively, purchase a pre-mixed acid solution of sufficient
concentration.
Submerge the chrome-plated object in the solution until chrome strips off.
Wash the object thoroughly in soap and water, and rinse before drying.

2. Use sodium hydroxide (lye) to strip chrome from ferrous metals and carbon steel.
Sodium hydroxide, commonly called lye, is a caustic, highly basic chemical. It can
dissolve several types of metal plating, including chrome, but reacts dangerously with
water and aluminum, corroding the aluminum itself and producing flammable hydrogen
 gas. Thus, it should only be used on items that do not use aluminum as a base material.
Proceed as below:

Mix 8 to 12 fl ounces (about 227 ml to 355 ml) of sodium hydroxide with 1

gallon (3.785 L) of water in a vat made of neutral material (like a heavy-duty
plastic bucket).
Soak the chrome-plated object in solution until chrome comes off. This may
take a fairly long time, so frequently check on your item's progress.
Wash the object thoroughly in soap and water, and rinse before drying.

3. Perform a reverse electroplating. Chrome is affixed to metal through the process of

electroplating, in which electric current is used to bind chrome to the metal at a
molecular level. By reversing this process, chrome plating can be removed extremely
effectively. However, doing so can be extremely dangerous. Not only does the process
involve a live electric current, but also produces several toxic, carcinogenic chemicals
as products of the reaction. Hexavalent chromium, for instance, is one extremely
dangerous product. Thus, this process is best left to professionals - the steps below are
for informative purposes only.

Mix chromic acid and sulfuric acid in water in an approximately 100:1 ratio.
For example, you may add 33 oz. (936 grams) of chromic acid crystals and .33
oz. (9.36 milliliter) of sulfuric acid fluid to distilled water to make 1 gallon
(3.79 liter). Mix solution in a proper immersion tank used for electroplating,
materials testing, and/or chemical treatments.
Heat the solution. Keep the temperature of the solution from 95 to 115 degrees
Fahrenheit (35 to 46 degrees Celsius) for decorative chrome. Keep temperature
from 120 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit (49 to 66 degrees Celsius) for hard
chrome.
Run a negative charge from a DC power source through the chromic plating
solution via wire.
Attach the positive cathode to object intended for stripping and submerge the
object into the solution. The positively charged exterior chrome metal will be
pulled from the object.
Rinse object in agitating running water, then rinse again. Have waste products
professionally processed and disposed of.

Removing Fake or Light Chrome with Household Materials

1. Use a homemade abrasive to remove especially thin or weak chrome. One of the
simplest, most beginner-friendly ways to remove chrome is via simple mechanical
action - i.e., scrubbing with an abrasive. Mix baking soda or a solid household cleanser
with water to make an abrasive paste that can be rubbed onto the chrome with a soft
cloth until the chrome begins to give way. This method may work best with especially
thin, weak chrome plating or with "fake" chrome plating (for example, plastic painted
with a fake "chrome" material). Even in these cases, considerable elbow grease may be
required.
 Check your progress frequently as you scrub. Scrubbing for too long may
scratch the underlying material.

2. Use oven cleaner. Some types of chrome (especially fake plastic variants like you may
find on model cars, etc.) can be removed with commercial-grade oven cleaners. These
powerful de-greasing solutions usually come in an aerosol can as a foam or liquid spray.
Give your chrome part a generous coating of cleaner, then allow it to sit for 10 minutes.
Wipe the chrome off along with the spray-cleaner.

Note that some oven spray-cleaner may darken any underlying metal if left to
sit too long, so you may want to apply the process repeatedly in short
increments until you have the result you want.

3. Soak the chromed item in household bleach. Another favorite method of model car
enthusiasts for removing chrome is the use of a bleach bath. In this method, chromed
parts are simply submerged bleach and left to sit. After about a day, depending on its
thickness, the chrome should be loosened if not stripped entirely.

The primary benefit of this method compared to the others is that bleach should
leave any primer below the outer chrome layer intact.
After using bleach to remove chrome, it should be properly disposed of and
never re-used (for laundry, etc.)

4. Use brake fluid to remove chrome plating. Standard automotive brake fluid works
like paint thinner to remove chrome layers from plastic objects. However, this method
can take several days to work. Additionally, it requires the proper handling and disposal
of the brake fluid, which is toxic. Rub the chrome object with brake fluid and let it set
about 10 minutes before rinsing it off. Repeat as needed to completely strip the chrome.

Note that brake fluid can dissolve plastic, so be very cautious when using this
method on chromed plastic parts (or opt for another method).