Strange Result Stripping Chrome

[Olderisbetter]

Just tried stripping chrome on a Monogram Duesenberg.   I used bleach as I have dozens of times before. But this is my first Monogram gluebomb. This time it left a white colored residue that could be scraped off with my fingernail. Didn't leave the residue everywhere. Only on certain areas of different parts.. Does anybody have a clue? Thanks.

[Mark]

If removing it leaves clean plastic, no problem.  It would have to be either something from the vacuum metallizing (plating) process, or mold release.

[Olderisbetter]

Mark, I tried soaking the parts in 99% isopropyl alcohol, but that did not cut through the residue. Then I tried lighter fluid. With lots of rubbing that seemed to take it off. But can't rub hard enough on the fragile parts. Thanks for your reply.

[stitchdup]

how long were the parts in the bleach? bleach turns into what you desribed when it dries

[Mark]

Could it be bleach that has been sitting on the store shelf for a long time, or maybe absorbed some moisture?

[Olderisbetter]

stitchdup.....Mark...Yes in the bleach for maybe 3 days....bleach was  in the sun inside a dark plastic bottle for maybe a few months during the monsoon here in Thailand. I think both of you guys nailed it. Thanks so much.

[stitchdup]

if its bleach it should wash off with a water and bleach solution. once the bleach softens you can then wash it with clean water to remove the residue. an old toothbrush works great for the corners and grilles to get it all out of the cravases. when you use bleach to strip chrome its best to clean it while its still wet or you get it crystalising. if its on a larger flat area you can remove it with greaseproof cooking paper which also works great to remove limescale non porous metals

[Olderisbetter]

stitchdup...Thanks, I will try that.

[Dpate]

That is little weird must be a bleach thing. I use 100% lye takes chrome off in bout 20-30 secs. I then use a stripper to remove the under layer varnish. Method I’ve used for awhile basically fool proof. 

[Olderisbetter]

Lego, I might try that sometime. I discarded my old bleach and replaced with new. Seems fine now. Thanks for the reply.

 

?

[Straightliner59]

For stripping chrome, I've found nothing that works better than Super Clean. It strips the chrome and the lacquer undercoat. I usually toss the parts in, overnight. If they stay longer, no problem! Super Clean will eat aluminum parts, though.

[Olderisbetter]

Thanks, another good tip.

[Dpate]

Have to be careful with super clean though. If it doesn’t strip it 100%(I have had chrome where superclean wouldn’t touch the varnish even 2 days of soaking)  it’ll stain the varnish purple reason I stopped using it. It strips the chrome cause it has 5 or so percent lye in it. It just depends on the kit chrome, but super clean does work so not knocking it. It’s cheaper route than the method I use. Even though a pound of lye cost like $6. My method I’ll have a whole kit of chrome stripped in half a hour chrome and varnish. 

Edited July 29, 2023 by Dpate

[Straightliner59]

3 hours ago, Dpate said:

Have to be careful with super clean though. If it doesn’t strip it 100%(I have had chrome where superclean wouldn’t touch the varnish even 2 days of soaking)  it’ll stain the varnish purple reason I stopped using it. It strips the chrome cause it has 5 or so percent lye in it. It just depends on the kit chrome, but super clean does work so not knocking it. It’s cheaper route than the method I use. Even though a pound of lye cost like $6. My method I’ll have a whole kit of chrome stripped in half a hour chrome and varnish. 

I've considered straight lye, but I need to get through this gallon of Super Clean, first! As far as I have found, it's pretty efficient at removing most everything except flat black, for some reason. 

[peteski]

Any lye-based liquid should not only strip the "chrome" (actually aluminum),  but also the clear coat under the metalization.

[Olderisbetter]

Thank you Peter.

[Straightliner59]

2 hours ago, peteski said:

Any lye-based liquid should not only strip the "chrome" (actually aluminum),  but also the clear coat under the metalization.

That's been my experience, as well.