Removing chrome

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atunguyd
Posts: 199
Joined: Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:39 pm
Location: Durban South Africa

Removing chrome

Post by atunguyd »

Can anyone suggest a method to remove chrome from a 1911? I have a guy who wants me to kalgard (same as cerekote) his 1911 that currently has a chrome finish on it. I have never had to remove a chrome finish before.

The first part of the kalgard process is to sandblast the frame, will this remove the chrome as well? I typically blast with aluminum oxide media.

Thanks in advance

Anthony
Last edited by atunguyd on Mon Jun 30, 2014 5:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
hammermill
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Location: pendleton or

Re: Removing chrome

Post by hammermill »

jpfalt
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Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2003 12:55 pm

Re: Removing chrome

Post by jpfalt »

Use EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid). This is a chelating chemical that removes chrome. It is medically used for chelation therapy to treat heavy metal poisoning. It is also used in some food products and also is a common additive in laundry detergent.

While working in the nuclear industry, we commonly used it to wash down surfaces to remove contamination and one side effect is that it fairly quickly removes chrome plating. It's pretty much non-toxic and won't remove the iron below the plating.
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ken572
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Location: Mesa, Arizona. 85201-1517

Re: Removing chrome (Also: See Edit)

Post by ken572 »

jpfalt wrote:Use EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid). This is a chelating chemical that removes chrome. It is medically used for chelation therapy to treat heavy metal poisoning. It is also used in some food products and also is a common additive in laundry detergent.

While working in the nuclear industry, we commonly used it to wash down surfaces to remove contamination and one side effect is that it fairly quickly removes chrome plating. It's pretty much non-toxic and won't remove the iron below the plating.
Good Morning :!: JP :D
What Temperature of the Bath would be needed to
remove Chrome Plating from metal that is totally immersed
in this solution, and what length of Time would be needed
in the Bath for this to take place?

Edit: I almost forgot to mention, that back in the day
if you you paid for a High End Chrome Plating
Job, they would put:
(1 layer of copper on)
(2 layer’s of Nickel on)
(3 layer’s of Chrome on)
With that said, would this solution still remove
all plated layer’s down to the metal :?:

Thanks.

Ken. :)
One must remember.
The best learning experiences come
from working with the older Masters.
Ken.
atunguyd
Posts: 199
Joined: Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:39 pm
Location: Durban South Africa

Re: Removing chrome

Post by atunguyd »

Thanks for the replies guys.

Just noticed that my tablets stupid auto correct changed the word kalgard to kangaroo! Fixed up the original post
jpfalt
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Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2003 12:55 pm

Re: Removing chrome

Post by jpfalt »

EDTA was used at room temperature. I'm not sure how long it would take for an immersed part, but expect that time will depend on thickness. On lightly plated surfaces during decontamination, the plating would start to come off within a few minutes. This was when the surface was sprayed with the EDTA and then wiped with a lint free cloth.
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ken572
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Location: Mesa, Arizona. 85201-1517

Re: Removing chrome

Post by ken572 »

jpfalt wrote:EDTA was used at room temperature. I'm not sure how long it would take for an immersed part, but expect that time will depend on thickness. On lightly plated surfaces during decontamination, the plating would start to come off within a few minutes. This was when the surface was sprayed with the EDTA and then wiped with a lint free cloth.
Hello :!: jp :D

Thank You, for your reply.

EDTA sounds like some pretty neat stuff.

Ken. :)
One must remember.
The best learning experiences come
from working with the older Masters.
Ken.
atunguyd
Posts: 199
Joined: Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:39 pm
Location: Durban South Africa

Re: Removing chrome

Post by atunguyd »

Cheers JP, I will see if i can source this in SA!
hammermill
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Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2010 10:43 pm
Location: pendleton or

Re: Removing chrome

Post by hammermill »

read thru the msds a common name seems to be acetic acid

http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9923980.
jpfalt
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Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2003 12:55 pm

Re: Removing chrome

Post by jpfalt »

Well, acetic acid with an extra kick.

The way to neutralize EDTA is to mix it with dilute acetic acid.
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