Carb cleaner stripped off chrome powder!!!

[spills]

I just did my T5 transmission case (cast aluminum) last night in Rosey's Xtreme Chrome powder. I sandblasted, outgassed then shot the powder. All went well, few sand spots I didnt get out. SO I get to work and I had to get the sand and trash out of the inside of the trans. I was looking for the least-acidic cleaner we had. Someone recommended carb cleaner. BAD IDEA!!! Powder discolored and got real sticky. Luckily this isn't a show car, and it's going to be underneath where no one can see it. BUT....

What was the cause of this? Is this why a top coat is required? Or are there still different types of cleaners and chemicals that will strip the powder off? Again, the description says a top coat is required, but I thought that was to prevent dulling of the shine. Can anyone set me straight on this before I screw up something else?!?!

[FigureLLC]

yeah, supposedly the x-chrome doesn't handle solvents (like gasoline) very well without the clear.

[spills]

Im gonna have to email Rosey's about this to see what they think. I roughed up the spots where carb cleaner got, cleaned and degreased the entire part, re-powdered the chrome all over, then put their 100% gloss over on top. Not only did this TURN the chrome powder into an aluminum color (NO reflectiveness at all), but I can still take carb cleaner to it and the powder starts to get sticky and discolor!!!

[Harleydad]

Chrome powders require a clear and will turn a silverish/gray. Thats just the nature of the beast. There are single stage chromes but personally I would clear those also. As far as the carb cleaner goes I've heard of people using it to strip powder, why are you putting carb cleaner on it?

[spills]

Ironically enough, I was told that out of the cleaners we have (non-chlorinated brake cleaner, carb cleaner, "blue" all purpose cleaner, etc), the carb cleaner was thought the be the "least acidic". Ill probably just try some blue cleaner with water. It's normally used to clean off oil residue off vehicles after repairs and such. We usually spray down the engine bay with this stuff to get a good overall cleaning. Ive heard that it can cause plastic to dry rot though, which I thought could mean that it might harm the powdercoat as well.

[Harleydad]

You sanded this to get out some imperfections? When doing this the best way to clean for a second coat is to blow the part off with clean dry air. If you want to wipe down the part use denatured alcohol and be sure it's completely dry before applying the second coat.

[spills]

Well, I originally sanblasted the case because it wad been painted over before and there was alot of crud built up, and I dont have any kind of chemical stipper that works as well as sandblasting. So I blasted it, blew out most of the sand, coated, then tried to clean the inside of the case (uncoated, of course) with carb cleaner for a final cleaning to get rid of dirt and such. once I seen what the cleaner did to the coating, I sanded the damaged areas down with 320 grit and wiped it all down with acetone (paint thinner, basically the same right?) and recoated with chrome, and finished off with 100% gloss

[Harleydad]

I've never had any luck with acetone after sanding. It too can soften pc. It's denatured alcohol for me.