172 replies to this topic

[Casey429]

Need some help here everybody, this is uncharted water for me, so i don't want to screw up. How do I de-chrome parts? I've heard of bleach and CSC. I've used CSC for stripping paint, but don't have any expereience witht he stuff on chrome. I'd like to use bleach, because thats what I have on hand. If anyone can throw in some pointers, that would be great.


Thanks!

[BIGTRUCK]

EZ off oven ,the bleach [seemed to take the longest] & CSC is all I've tried , I'm sure theres a dozen others

[mrglubaum]

Casey, the CSC works pretty good, but I prefer Westley's Bleche White (a whitewall cleaner). Neither one will harm the plastic.

[Sully]

You can also use Windex or just straight Amonia.........either one will work without harming the plastic...........

[MrObsessive]

Easy Off works well for me........however if you use this, be sure to get the Easy Off in the yellow can!

The Fume Free doesn't do a dang thing and it's a real waste of time! :x

What I like best about the Easy Off is that it will also take off the clear lacquer that the model companies use in the plating process. I'm not sure the CSC or Westley's does that.

As with all these products MAKE SURE you're wearing rubber gloves as each of these products are nasty to your skin!

[Zoom Zoom]

I'll second the fact that Easy Off is excellent at removing chrome (plating vanishes before your eyes, clear takes longer). In addition to gloves, you must wear some sort of mask as you cannot breathe the stuff.

[Matt T.]

I've found that Castrol Super Clean (CSC) will take the lacquer undercoat off, but it takes a while. Typically, the chrome plating is gone within an hour but the undercoat takes 2-3 days. I just drop the parts in and leave them in there for the week.

Definitely use rubber gloves for removing the stripped parts from the CSC bath. Auto parts stores usually have "solvent gloves" that are rubber and fairly inexpensive that are made to protect from all sorts of nasty chemicals.

[jbwelda]

you guys must use a different csc than i do. i dip chrome in that stuff and its gone right down to the plastic in two minutes.

unfortunately they seem to have changed the formula in california and the new stuff doesnt remove paint half as well as it used to. so last time i was in reno i bought some jugs there and its back to its true strength.

the "california" (and some other states too im sure) stuff still does the job on chrome plating and fast too.

[KT EASTMAN]

As an alternative to CSC. I use Purple Power. Rumor has it that it doesen't last as long as CSC, but I personally have not noticed. I get it at the local Advance auto parts in 5 Gallon form for about $17.00. I also use it to scrub the oil stains off my driveway. As for chrome, it strips it off in a matter of minuites. It takes a lot longer to strip the laquer coat though. I usually like to leave the laquer coat on if I am going to use something like alcad II because the surface is already smooth. Just a coat of gloss black,than Alcad!!! For removing the laquer coat, it may be best to use oven cleaner if you are in a time crunch!!! KT

[5500]

I have had excellent results with household ammonia... cheap and fast.

[Casey429]

Casey, the CSC works pretty good, but I prefer Westley's Bleche White (a whitewall cleaner). Neither one will harm the plastic.

I bit the bullet and bought some Bleche White. How long should I let it sit in there before all the chrome is gone and I can paint the parts?

[mrglubaum]

Casey,

As the others have noted, the chrome comes off in a very short time, but the clear coat under the chrome can take several days. I usually just leave the clear on there if it isn't messed up. (Sometimes they put it on kinda thick or even get runs in it!).

Make sure you wear the rubber gloves, and wash the parts off really well with clear water, and let them dry completely before you try and paint them.

[jbwelda]

i dont believe ive ever noticed this "laquer" phenomonon under any chrome...maybe i dont look close enough or maybe the kits i build (usually imports) dont have it?

[kod38]

I have used brake fluid and bleach.
Doug R

[Vicky]

I use Liquid Plumber.

Vicky

[Hot_Rod_Bob]

Casey, I know this has already been said, But I just wanted to put my vote in for Castrol Super Clean. Works well, doesn't take to long and also removes that pesky varnish under the crome, so all your left with is plastic. And it will not harm the plastic. Big thing here is that it is biodagradable

[Mr. Can Am Garage]

Polly S ELO (Easy Lift Off). You can get it from your local hobby shop and it's made to work on model plastics. Can't get much safer (for the plastic) than that.

Got some wheels stripping as I type this.

[CB]

Can't remember if it was.................uh, where was I?.......hmmm..........Oh Yeah! is it shaving cream that you soak chrome plated parts in, to get the chrome off? I haven't tried it yet, but I seem to remember that's what we did years (centuries) ago. I saw where someone used brake fluid to strip the paint off a Ferrari. Oh well, thanx for..........uh.............

[Kenny]

Oven cleaner and CSC work well. I haven't tried Westley's Bleche White or Simple Green but I hear those work as well.

[GonzoTx]

Yeah that Castrol Super Clean will do the job in minutes ( and as I found out it makes decals disappear like magic !!!)