How Do You Remove Paint From Chrome

[midlineqb]

I have some chrome wheels, grilles, and tailight shrouds (all are chrome that have been painted. What would be the method to use to remove the paint without removing the chrome?

Any help would be appreciated.

[stitchdup]

You might be stuck with having to reo the chrome. Most of the stuff we use to strip paint will also strip chrome parts. Do you know what type of paint is on it? eg; acrylic or enamel etc..

[espo]

As Les pointed out, there is a very good chance the original kit chrome may be compromised using most methods. Something to try that should not bother the chrome would be to soak the part in real warm water. This may or may not work depending on the type of paint that was used. I have seen this done when restoring antique door hardware. Generally, they are removing oil based interior house paint. 

[Bob Ellis]

11 hours ago, stitchdup said:

You might be stuck with having to reo the chrome. Most of the stuff we use to strip paint will also strip chrome parts. Do you know what type of paint is on it? eg; acrylic or enamel etc..

True statement

Most paint removers are caustic that also eats the aluminum used to relpicate chrome plating as well as the paint

[Daddyfink]

Maybe just post an ad in the Wanted section for those parts and just replace them. 

[midlineqb]

16 hours ago, stitchdup said:

You might be stuck with having to reo the chrome. Most of the stuff we use to strip paint will also strip chrome parts. Do you know what type of paint is on it? eg; acrylic or enamel etc..

It looks like enamel or fingernail polish. I received these in an auction so I don't really know.

[stitchdup]

8 hours ago, midlineqb said:

It looks like enamel or fingernail polish. I received these in an auction so I don't really know.

I'd try the hot water trick suggested above since you've really nothing to lose. you might be lucky and the paints is thick enough to peel off.

[Matt Bacon]

Try 99% Isopropyl alcohol and be prepared to leave them in it for a few days. Or an ultrasonic cleaner. Neither should damage the chrome or plastic, and with a bit of luck, the chrome layer should have stopped the paint “keying” to the surface very well…

Best,

M.

 

Edited April 1, 2023 by Matt Bacon

[Kit Basher]

I had good success removing water based craft paint from some wheels with lacquer thinner. It didn't hurt the chrome at all. No guarantee it would work in your situation, or ever again, for that matter, but I got lucky once.

[NOBLNG]

I definitely wouldn’t soak it in lacquer thinner because it will attack the styrene underneath if it can get through anyplace.? Maybe careful rubbing with a Q-tip or Tamiya swab soaked in the thinner. I would try the hot water or alcohol methods first. You could maybe try some commercial paint remover also, but you would have to first do a test to ensure that it doesn’t attack the chrome or styrene.

Edited April 1, 2023 by NOBLNG

[Can-Con]

OK, I can guarantee right now, ANYTHING that will take paint off of a plated model part WILL take the plating with it.  

[Kit Basher]

On 4/1/2023 at 9:41 AM, NOBLNG said:

I definitely wouldn’t soak it in lacquer thinner because it will attack the styrene underneath if it can get through anyplace.? Maybe careful rubbing with a Q-tip or Tamiya swab soaked in the thinner. I would try the hot water or alcohol methods first. You could maybe try some commercial paint remover also, but you would have to first do a test to ensure that it doesn’t attack the chrome or styrene.

Yep, I wouldn't soak it either. I brushed on the lacquer thinner, then immediately wiped off the paint. Worked great. As I said, no guarantee it would ever work again.

[Mike C]

Easy Off oven cleaner works well.

[Matt Bacon]

1 hour ago, Mike C said:

Easy Off oven cleaner works well.

Pretty sure that will take the chrome plate off as well... it's a standard technique for stripping chrome, after all. OP wants to remove paint FROM chromed parts without removing the chrome plate. (Actually a very thin layer of aluminum, which is why oven cleaner or caustic soda dissolves it so well...)

best,

M.

 

 

[Mike C]

19 minutes ago, Matt Bacon said:

Pretty sure that will take the chrome plate off as well... it's a standard technique for stripping chrome, after all. OP wants to remove paint FROM chromed parts without removing the chrome plate. (Actually a very thin layer of aluminum, which is why oven cleaner or caustic soda dissolves it so well...)

best,

M.

 

 

Yeah, you're right, because I use Easy Off for chrome removal. So, in that case this will work and it's from Dollar Tree. I use this on enamel paints. And I also degrease my bicycle chain and it's just plain good as a cleaner around the house.

Edited April 4, 2023 by Mike C