Dechroming and bending Evergreen

[cossett]

I know this has been asked over and over but I will ask again

What is the best way of dechroming detailed chrome parts with out making them brittle ?

and

What is the best way of bending Evergreen (sheet styrene) flat sheet to make square fuel tanks for trucks ?

Thanks Cossett

[chrismooney]

I use Bleach to dechrome parts...

[Smart-Resins]

I have used Wesleys bleech, purple power, 90% alcohal, windex ( my favorite) and oven cleaner to strip chrome. The alcy and the windex is prolly the best. If you want to bend styrene, the best way is to soak it in hot water until it is plyable. However you wont get a 90 out of it! Best way to acheive a 90 is to cut it and butt them up together!Thanks. Jody

[randx0]

if your need just a slight rounding of the corners cutting the sides to shape and gluing should be adequate.if you need a more aggressive bend cut the plastic to length then put it in some hot water . I noticed when doing the hot water method that the plastic will bend in one direction so make sure your cut pieces are cut the same way .I wish i knew how to do diagrams to make this more clear.hope this helps good luck

[sourkraut]

I have found that most kit parts (especially fuel tanks) need so much finish work in the form of sanding and filing. That by the time I am satisfied, little more than some scuffing with Scotch Brite or fine steel wool is all that is needed. I follow up with etching primer from Duplicolor (available at NAPA stores) and some wet sanding with 600 grit paper, then on to finish paint or Alclad.

[Ben]

I have used bleach, Castrol Super Clean and Oven cleaner spray to dechrome parts with no problems.

If your wanting to make sharp bends in the sheet plastic, place a steel ruler across the area you want to bend and scribe a line into the backside of the bend, this will allow the plastic to "give" in that area. Be careful not to scribeto deep as it will cause the plastic to break at that point.