Chrome Stripping

[duke46]

I have info saved from what I have read and I know its going to come to the point where I need to strip chrome off whatever to either paint it or powder coat it. What kits does Caswell have that do it? It looks like it takes two? One for chrome and one for Nickel. I have the acids and the battery charges and I have enough info to be dangerous I guess? I have stuff to mess with to get it down with out a customer being involved and I just need some of you guys and Caswell's advice I guess. I would rather strip it and then fix the pits if there are any and then coat it so it looks good and stays good? Most of this would be boat items and the customer just want it coated and enough popping chrome.
Got any info for me on where to start?
Thanks
Duke

[KCV6]

hey Duke,

Best bet for stripping chrome is alkaline stripping. Basically 60gram/litre (from memory) of sodium hydroxide (draino crystals) and a stainless steel cathode. it is the reverse of plating so the positive goes to the piece and the negative to the sheet of stainless steel. increase the current/voltage until you see part start to fizz. you will see a yellow colour coming off of the chrome item. This is the chrome disolving into the solution. YOU NEED TO DISPOSE OF THE SPENT SOLUTION PROPERLY AS IT NOW CONTAINS CHROME.

Nickel can be stripped in a 10% solution of sulphuric acid using a lead sheet cathode, providing it is either copper or steel underneath.

Others can correct me if I'm wrong.

Cheers

Mark

[duke46]

Thanks for the info. I didn't have notify me by email checked like norm and didn't check back on your answer. I guess what I need to know is what amp battery charger to use I have all sizes?

Duke

[KCV6]

Duke,

For the chrome stripping you will need to apply up to 1A per square inch to strip. Usually around 0.25A per square inch will just be enough to get the item to fizz and slowly strip the chrome. I can't remember the voltage off hand but I think it's around 6Vdc (I don't run constant current, I always set the voltage and let the current sort itself out), I usually run it so it ends out being about 0.5 ASI, but my pieces are usually small.

Cheers

Mark

[duke46]

Thanks,
I just added that to my info sheet. So I guess the next thing to do is set something up and see what I get.
Thanks again,
Duke

[KCV6]

No problems Duke, just give it a try on something small and not too important first and if you can, start at a low voltage and slowly bring it up, you will see when it fizzes and the yellow starts bleed into the solution as the chrome comes off of the piece.

Cheers

Mark