Removing paint from chrome tools

[madison069]

I must **** as searching in the forum, but I was looking for ways to remove spray paint from some chrome tools?

I've read oven cleaner, paint striper, and acetone can be used but wanted to see if anyone had tried these methods and got a good results that didn't mess with the chrome?


Thanks!

 

[sberry]

Laq thinner.

 

[madison069]

I have tried Rubbing Alcohol with no results.

These tools have been painted for a long time it seems so they have withstand a lot of chemicals I'm sure!

 

[ttpete]

Paint stripper. Something like Strypeeze with methylene chloride. Won't hurt chrome.

 

[Wakefield]

Super jet spray Gumcutter would take off almost anything-might have been toned down a bit with a new environmental formula

 

[joe_padavano]

Laquer thinner and fine steel wool. Jeeze people, these are TOOLS, not jewelry.

 

[Bigplum]

Carb cleaner , gun wash thinners , anything like that .
What paint was over sprayed on them ? If it was something odd you may need something stronger

 

[rcjoy]

Acetone works most of the time.

 

[madison069]

Laquer thinner and fine steel wool. Jeeze people, these are TOOLS, not jewelry.

I agree but I'm trying to sell these and buyers might want the chrome in good shape!

 

[madison069]

Carb cleaner , gun wash thinners , anything like that .
What paint was over sprayed on them ? If it was something odd you may need something stronger

Not sure as I bought them at a yard sale with the paint on them.

 

[panknuckshovel]

000 or 0000 steel wool

 

[countryroad82]

Soak them in lacquer thinner for awhile.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Laq thinner.

x10.


Only thing I use on chrome.
Works like a charm and no chrome damage at all.

 

[PA Woody]

I used acetone on a socket set I bought that someone had spray painted. Worked great and did no damage to chrome.

 

[retrobuilder]

Use enamel reducer, lacquer thinner, automotive strippers, Cortec and most non caustic strippers. Chrome can be porous however unless it is chrome peeling you should be okay.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Brake fluid will also take paint off most things. Has not hurt tools such as bleeder wrenches that are drenched in brake fluid.

 

[Zeke]

You can use lye and an overnight soak. Slow but cheap. Pour the lye down the toilet when through. Best stuff for stripping small parts and hardware. I don't know about what it might do to your chrome as I can't see it. Doesn't seem to hurt healthy chrome.

 

[madison069]

Thanks for the suggestions folks! I went and bought some acetone and lacquer thinner yesterday. Hopefully I'll be able to try them tonight and see what the results are!

Zeke, it's been a long time since I heard of Lye being mentioned. I don't have any on hand or else I would try it also!

 

[countryroad82]

Brake fluid will also take paint off most things. Has not hurt tools such as bleeder wrenches that are drenched in brake fluid.

I have found that brake fluid takes off all the paint you don't want off but not the paint you don't give a da$% about

 

[stikman56]

Thanks for the suggestions folks! I went and bought some acetone and lacquer thinner yesterday. Hopefully I'll be able to try them tonight and see what the results are!

Zeke, it's been a long time since I heard of Lye being mentioned. I don't have any on hand or else I would try it also!

Unless it's paint that's been catylized, AKA automotive paint etc. Lacquer thinner will do it pretty easily, soak the rag, keep it on the surface wet for a little bit, it should wipe off. Acetone evaporates so quick, it makes it tougher to get it done.

 

[wkearney99]

And if one chemical doesn't do the job be SURE to rinse it off before trying another. Mix the wrong stuff together and you run the risk of creating possibly deadly toxic fumes.

I got some paint off old tools using the soaking in lacquer thinner technique.

 

[madison069]

Well, so far I did 3 sockets with the acetone and it did the job but I kept having to dip the rag into the acetone to keep it wet due to it does evaporate fast!

I will try the lacquer thinner tonight if I am able to get in the garage.

Hopefully I will take some pics tonight! I forgot the camera last night.

 

[countryroad82]

I would fill a coffee can about 1/4 way with acetone or lacquer thinner and just let them soak overnight due to the evaporation factor. It won't hurt the chrome or tool, just give it a good cleaning.

 

[SnowDrifter]

Brake cleaner

 

[908Jim]

I would fill a coffee can about 1/4 way with acetone or lacquer thinner and just let them soak overnight due to the evaporation factor. It won't hurt the chrome or tool, just give it a good cleaning.

This has worked well for me before.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

 

[ZRX61]

Just dump them in a can of lacquer thinner, you're making what should be a no-brainer into a epic production.

 

[MagnumForce]

Graffiti Remover, use it all the time at work.

 

[humber2]

I've found that paint remover is beneficial removing ingrained oil and dirt stuck into lettering.

My way is using a small blob of methylene chloride in a sealed jar for an hour or overnight followed by the tools getting a hot water wash with dishwashing detergent.

There is a huge fire risk with volatile solvents, not to mention hazards from inhaling or absorbing through skin so play safe.

 

[ttpete]

The last chrome tool I depainted I stuck in the carburetor dip bucket for 20 minutes. Squeaky clean!

 

[rick carpenter]

I wonder if you could stick a tool wrapped in an acetone-soaked rag in a ziplock? Dunno what acetone would do to a ziplock. I use glass jars from the kitchen for a lot of things.

 

[jakemac]

I would think that it would eat the bag.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Try hand cleaner first (gojo? goop). Then go for the crazy stuff. It doesn't say it on the jug but it (gojo) does remove paint from my hands (believe it or not!), it might be the least abrasive thing to try first. Oil the tool after you're done.

 

[MagnumForce]

GRAFITI REMOVER AGAIN, it's made to take off spray paint. Spray it on, let it sit for a minute. Wipe it off, done. Removes paint from porous surfaces so smooth chrome is no issue at all, even works on glass.

 

[wkearney99]

I wonder if you could stick a tool wrapped in an acetone-soaked rag in a ziplock? Dunno what acetone would do to a ziplock. I use glass jars from the kitchen for a lot of things.

Most solvents will destroy plastic. Some will react poorly with metals like aluminum, so avoid using foil.

A tall glass jar like the kind used to store spaghetti, or a barber's comb sanitizer, would work. A shallow glass dish could work but you'd want to keep it covered to avoid all the solvent evaporating. Again, tin foil and plastic wrap would probably be less-than-ideal for covering.

 

[espyking83]

Laquer thinner and fine steel wool. Jeeze people, these are TOOLS, not jewelry.

When you spend over $100 you don't want to do anything that might void the warranty.

BTW, lacquer thinner and a terry cloth should work great, just did it to a ratchet I got in a trade and it worked without issue. If the paint is sticking try a stiff plastic scraper. Wouldn't recommend using paint stripper, I think that would be overkill and the benefits don't outweigh the risks, especially when a bobo lacquer will take care of the job. The chrome doesn't allow the paint to sit well in the first place, comes right off.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Acetone evaporates so quick, it makes it tougher to get it done.

Yep.

I love me my acetone and MEK, but both have such a high evap. rate that it's hard to use in that manner.

Thus why Lacquer thinnr is the next best choice.

Move down to Mineral Spirits or paint thinner for slower results.

As for grafiti remover, I am concerned about the VOC content.
I KNOW lacquer thinner will not harm chrome.
Add in some acidric agents or combo chemicals and you don't know.

I do know that if I de-grafitied a brick wall or wood or plastic clad structure would NOT be the same way I'd take paint off tools or chromed items.

YMMV.

Glass pasta jar. Laquer thinner. Drop in tools over night.
Next morning wipe and be done.

No lid= thinner be gone quickly. Learned that decades ago after buying my first gallon of lacquer thinner.

Paint thinner adn mineral spirts stick around. lacquer thinner and acetone have quick a flash off point/evap. rate.

And your liver is bitching at you right now if you're touching any of the above. LOLZ.

 

[MagnumForce]

I use graffiti remover on chrome tools with ecoat on them with no ill effects over years of doing so.