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Stripping chrome to nickel plate

mr.mow

mr.mow

Feb 11, 2009
999
368
Melbourne
Disclosures
Endorsing Artist: BBE/G&L Basses
#1
I've got a Gibson LP bass coming, the hardware is chrome, I'm not a big fan of chrome, but love nickel plating (it's a warmer look and ages beautifully).

I know it's a slightly mental and OCD idea.. How does one strip chrome? I checked the web and there are some home ideas but they sound a little hokey. I also understand that under the chrome there may be nickel plate, is there a way to strip the crime that leaves the nickel?
 
#2
I rebuilt/restored a motorcycle a few years back and wanted to get rid of the chrome plating on the various bits and pieces that were chromed. I contacted a chroming company. Evidently, they can also un-chrome things.

I can't remember the cost.
 
#4
mr.mow said:
...is there a way to strip the crime that leaves the nickel?
Click to expand...

I'll presume that was more like auto-correct, and less like Freudian ;-)

I don't see why you couldn't 'reverse electroplate' the chrome off something. (And by 'you' I mean trained professionals with HazMat experience - chromium is a bit of an environmental nightmare outside a controlled environment...)

Would it be cost-effective? Hard to say. Expecially since chrome-base nickel doesn't have to be "quite" cosmetic, so you might not like the look of the nickel once it became the top coat.

Assuming it's not more cost-effective to simply start over with hardware you like, I'm thinking the short path to what you want would be to strip everything to base and then go with electroless (chemical) nickel.
 
#7
Temezki said:
Found this on lespaul forums:Use vinegar or muriatic acid.
soak and then check frequently (tie a string to the parts and lift them up to see) after a few minutes.
I don't know if this will work.
I would contact a chroming company
Click to expand...

I was about to suggest that, but with HCl. I then realized the likeliness that somebody asking how to remove Chrome prooobably isn't great with chemistry.

In case you're wondering...
2HCl(pure hydrochloric acid) + Cr (Chrome) = CrCl2 (solid crystal unless in water) + H2 (hydrogen gas)

EDIT: Muriatic Acid is HCl... my bad.
Also,
Vinegar's acid (CH3COOH) is a weak acid alone, and considering vinegar is 8% acid the reaction could be quite slow. It would give Chromium Acetate, which is NOT safe to dump because it contains Chrome...
 
#8
BioWeapon said:
I was about to suggest that, but with HCl. I then realized the likeliness that somebody asking how to remove Chrome prooobably isn't great with chemistry.

In case you're wondering...
2HCl(pure hydrochloric acid) + Cr (Chrome) = CrCl2 (solid crystal unless in water) + H2 (hydrogen gas)
Click to expand...

:) True!! I think the answer I neede was 'take it to a professional'!!
 
#11
mr.mow said:
The problem was, I read some articles online that make it sound as simple as 'soak it in bleach/vinegar/monkey poo and hey presto'.. sounded too easy to me!
Click to expand...

Oh it's not incredibly difficult, it's just the safety hazards of dealing acids and the products of the reaction that get complicated/scary.

Volumes of hydrogen gas can explode if introduced to a spark.
But you need a lot, and there's needs to be the correct ratio of it and oxygen!
A reaction like this wouldn't produce enough as you're not stripping a boatload Of chrome.
Not so scary anymore, right?

Really your only problem would be disposing of the CrCl2, which your local fire department may be able to do (they do here!), and over-stripping as the HCl will eat ALL the metals.

The more you know:D
 
#13
The correct answer is sell the chrome parts and replace them with nickel parts.

Just because something CAN be done doesn't mean it SHOULD be done.

;)
 
#15
Link Removed in Nashville does all of the Gibson USA metalwork.

As a builder, I can order from them directly.

If you're really interested, I can contact them to see if it's available in stock or if they'll do a one-off.
 
#16
Link Removed

http://www.hdplating.com.au/

Just tell them what you want done. It shouldn't cost very much.

Eight golf club heads cost me $40. to de-chrome, so I would think a 2 piece Les Paul bridge would be less.
If you want a nickel finish they can do that too. It may cost you more to then refinish to nickel.
I know they first use copper, then the nickel and chrome.
When they de-chrome I am not sure if they can just remove the chrome and leave the nickel, or if it goes down to the copper, and then they would have to refinish with just nickel.
 

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