Chrome Removal

[FINNEY1973]

There's a few explanations out there on the www but non that are bike specific as such (or at least what I can find).

I'm looking into getting my lo-pro re-done but in paint rather then chrome (or as it stands gold plated). The paint is going to cost decent bucks, slightly concerned that the paintshop (not chosen as yet) will hit me with a similarly hefty bill for taking it back to bare metal and thus making the project a financial abyss.

What process do they use to remove chrome plating? Can it cause damage to the frame (assuming it's a nasty chemical process?).

Anyone with any previous experience, i'd appreciate your input.

ta very much.

 

[Midlife]

Gold won't be plated onto chrome, rather it will have been deposited onto nickel or Tin / antimony.

BITD our local platers removed old chrome / nickel etc in baths of very nasty looking chemicals which didn't seem to harm the steel of the bike frame, blasting it off required the frame to be re-polished again. Aqua Regia will remove the gold..........

Used to cost a few bob back in the day and can't imagine it will cost any more nowadays, I think out local powder coater will remove plated metals for a few quid.

Shaun

 

[twosheds]

Re:

I looked into removing the chrome myself from a set of forks, where it had started flaking badly. It is possible to remove chrome by electrolysis, the same process as for rust removal, however I was seriously advised against it.
The waste electrolyte left over is, I believe, extremely hazardous, and carcinogenic. Chucking it away = environmental disaster.
It would probably be cheaper to have the whole job done properly by a professional, than to just have the waste product disposed of.
Sorry, this is not much help to you I'm sure. If your chrome is not flaking, could you leave it on and have it etch primed? But I know this would leave you with unnecessary weight on the frame.

-----
Bruce

 

[FINNEY1973]

Re:

Many moons ago my chemistry teacher at school was foreign & I didn't grasp one iota of any of it - it think that is born out in my ignorance in the original post :facepalm:

I've seen the videos of them removing chrome from car parts etc, looks a bit savage to be honest. One thing is for sure, I will be handing it over to the professionals, however, would a bike painter be the right man to do the job? To clarify the whole bike is chrome (and gold) so I assume it's going to be a bit of a job for some poor soul to get it back to bare metal.

As it stands, the gold is in A1 condition on large sections of the frame / forks, but it has completely worn away on the remainder, plus the seat tube is showing areas where it's bare metal. There are also some stained areas that won't shift, so all in all it's looking a bit sorry for itself.

I'm looking to get a proper paint job ($) and don't want to end up with a similar bill for stripping the thing, nor do I want to compromise the integrity of the metal. Perhaps i'm being over cautious but have zero knowledge of such things.

 

[Robbied196]

Re: Re:

The waste electrolyte left over is, I believe, extremely hazardous, and carcinogenic. Chucking it away = environmental disaster.

We had a local chrome plate company I used for a few things. The first thing you notice when you walk in is the smell and the taste! The guy explained it wasn't the plating process that caused the stench but the removal of old chrome. The taste of metal in your mouth stays for about an hour, not nice stuff at all.

 

[FINNEY1973]

Sounds horrendous - some www videos show the huge vats of nasty stuff and a lot of protective clothing in use! I guess I need to find a company capable of removing the chrome, then send it onto the painters. At least then I know what i'm paying upfront for the chrome removal. Time to see if there's anyone local and get a quote.

 

[julianm]

Re:

Pop up the M1 to Prestige Electroplating
Address: Unit 6, Cliff Street Industrial Estate, Mexborough, South Yorkshire S64 9HU
Phone:01709 577004

No website. They`ll do a perfect job for you at a very reasonable price. If you phone them to discuss what you need doing they`ll be very helpful.
Good luck with it!

 

[Apple Tree]

Can you not just paint over the chrome ? When I have had frames re-enamelled the advice is usually not to have it re-chromed but just paint over the top of it. Some quality frames, like my Daccordi's, are chromed at manufacture, as a protection to the steel, and then painted on top. If there is a paint chip you can see the chrome underneath.
A good bicycle paint shop should be able to advise.

 

[David B]

Can you not just paint over the chrome ? When I have had frames re-enamelled the advice is usually not to have it re-chromed but just paint over the top of it. Some quality frames, like my Daccordi's, are chromed at manufacture, as a protection to the steel, and then painted on top. If there is a paint chip you can see the chrome underneath.
A good bicycle paint shop should be able to advise.

+1 to this. A mate of mine had one of the lower-end steel Colnagos which started to show its age and shed its paintwork around the rear brake bridge etc, only to reveal that even the hidden bits were chromed!

David

 

[Midlife]

Painting over chrome is a bit hit and miss.........ask spokesman to give you a run down on Acryllichrome, chromovelato is just as bad

You need to etch / treat / blast the shiny chrome to give the paint a chance to adhere.

Shaun