Removing chrome from aluminum?

[Scimonetti]

So, I am currently restoring a craftsman 100 drill press, and have 3 levers and one knob that needs to be stripped of its chrome, and polished. The plating is extremely pitted and flaking in a few areas, and i've already done some sanding so there is no going back. I've tried a course Kobalt wire wheel(looks like brass but is actually coated steel), and it will only roughen up the top layer of chrome. Has anybody had any experience with taking chrome off a complex aluminum part? Also, if this is the wrong place to be posting this, somebody please let me know. Thanks!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Not aluminum underneath. Probably "pot metal" (a zinc compound).

Next to impossible to remove the chrome. A chrome specialty shop might be able to fill the pits and re-chrome, but it will be $$$ !

Fill the pits with a high temp epoxy and have they powder coated or rattle can spray job.

 

[2oolhound]

You could try soaking in vinegar overnight. It sure lifted the chrome off some wrenches I had tried to remove a few rust spots on. It started in where the chrome was wore off and worked underneath the good chrome till they were pretty well stripped bare. A wire wheel made short work of what was left.

Keep an eye on it though, I don't know how pot metal stands up to vinegar.

 

[Wanna Ride]

What is your plan for the restore - are you going to rechrome?

If so, just source a chroming/plating shop in your area and send them out to them. It's really not as expensive as some people think.

 

[Scimonetti]

You could try soaking in vinegar overnight. It sure lifted the chrome off some wrenches I had tried to remove a few rust spots on. It started in where the chrome was wore off and worked underneath the good chrome till they were pretty well stripped bare. A wire wheel made short work of what was left.

Keep an eye on it though, I don't know how pot metal stands up to vinegar.

I remember seeing your photo of that somewhere, and now that I know it's pot metal that sounds like a good idea! Thanks

 

[G_P]

X2 on them probably being pot metal. Even if you get the chrome off you wont be able to polish it like aluminum.

 

[Scimonetti]

I have the same drill press as jtbinvalrico, and used his thread as inspiration to use my lathe to polish everything, and assumed it would work. I'll send him a PM and ask a couple questions. He said a wire wheel took a while, but would work.

Between stretches of grinding off rust and muck, I like to take a few parts and renew them........some before and after pics:

I'll update as it progresses.......for now, this box of parts awaits:

 

[Scimonetti]

I used a wire wheel to clean the gunk and old chrome off this handle.......Finished it off with 1000gr wet and metal polish:

 

[Scimonetti]

X2 on them probably being pot metal. Even if you get the chrome off you wont be able to polish it like aluminum.

I sanded off the chrome off of the round knob top, and it polished up well. I have also polished and seen polished pot metal pulleys, so it could be pot metal. It may not be as well as aluminum(I've never tried aluminum) but it will be good enough

Mavawreck.....

These were chucked into the lathe, rough parts sanded out.....finished with Mother's:

 

[Scimonetti]

What is your plan for the restore - are you going to rechrome?

If so, just source a chroming/plating shop in your area and send them out to them. It's really not as expensive as some people think.

The plan was just to buff it up fairly shiny and call it good, but if the chrome removal isn't feasible I could send them out. Thanks

 

[G_P]

WOW! Those handles and that pulley look amazing! I've never been able to get pot metal look that good. May have just been extra crappy pot metal.

 

[Scimonetti]

WOW! Those handles and that pulley look amazing! I've never been able to get pot metal look that good. May have just been extra crappy pot metal.

I know right! If you haven't read this yet you should. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=146523
It's an amazing thread, unfortunately it give you too much confidence and high expectations going into a project lol...

 

[Scimonetti]

I wonder if they changed the plating. Mine is a 47' his is a 52'. That could explain why it came off with a wire wheel on one but not the other

 

[Wanna Ride]

I wonder if they changed the plating. Mine is a 47' his is a 52'. That could explain why it came off with a wire wheel on one but not the other

That would make sense. Those posted pics look like some really good plating. You don't usually see results like that from cheap pot metal.

 

[Scimonetti]

I have a friend who has a good sandblaster, would that be a good idea?

 

[Scimonetti]

That would make sense. Those posted pics look like some really good plating. You don't usually see results like that from cheap pot metal.

The metal used is some sort of white metal that is non magnetic.

 

[mattysdaddy]

Send Chris Peters an email at [email protected], he is my hard chrome guy and will be able to tell you exactly what you can and can't plate. He can also strip chrome off of anything...

He owns Metaloy Industries and is one of the best firearms finishers in the business so tools will be no problem but he is not the cheapest just the best...

 

[Scimonetti]

Send Chris Peters an email at [email protected], he is my hard chrome guy and will be able to tell you exactly what you can and can't plate. He can also strip chrome off of anything...

He owns Metaloy Industries and is one of the best firearms finishers in the business so tools will be no problem but he is not the cheapest just the best...

Thanks, I'll look into that