Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 03-03-2012, 20:50   #1
Registered User
 
SabreKai's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Toronto, Canada on Lake Ontario
Boat: Roberts Offshore 38
Posts: 1,287
Images: 5
Getting the Chrome Off ...

I picked up a pedestal from one of our members a couple of weeks ago and have it pretty much all in pieces now. I figure on wet sanding the painted areas before I take them into a shop and have them powder coated.

However, the shift unit is chromed and is pitted a good deal. How can I get the chrome off without messing up the Aluminum component? Any good ideas?
__________________
SabreKai
SV Sabre Dance, Roberts Offshore 38
https://sabredancing.wordpress.com/
SabreKai is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2012, 21:04   #2
Registered User
 
Nemo55's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Punta Banda, Ensenada. and Canada
Boat: 28Ft Piver Encore, Tri-Maran, Anchored in San Diego.
Posts: 728
Send a message via Skype™ to Nemo55
Re: Getting the chrome off...

There is no guarantee of no damage even if you pay the re-chromers to strip the old stuff off.
The only guarantee of gentle treatment is if you take a dremmel motor tool, and do it yourself.
I am speaking from lots of re-chroming experience on classic cars.
__________________
"The Truth Shall set you Free....But First it will Piss You Off"

https://nemo1955.blogspot.ca/
Nemo55 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2012, 21:12   #3
Moderator Emeritus
 
David M's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Boat: Research vessel for a university, retired now.
Posts: 10,406
Re: Getting the chrome off...

A Dremmel might leave marks making it obvious it was ground out. I would try a bench mounted wire wheel which won't give you gouge marks. I would not try a drill mounted wire wheel where you do not have as much control. Or ask the chromers if they can remove the old chrome.
__________________
David

Life begins where land ends.
David M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2012, 21:44   #4
Moderator Emeritus
 
roverhi's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Boat: 1976 Sabre 28-2
Posts: 7,505
Send a message via Yahoo to roverhi
Re: Getting the chrome off...

Using a plain steel wire brush leaves minute pieces of steel in the part being brushed. Makes for a wonderful rusty mess until all the little particles all corrode away. Might be able to passivate it with acid if you do use a ferrous wire brush.

Best thing is to have the plater galvanically remove the chrome then buff out the pitting before rechroming. Cheapest is just to live with it.

I'll never have anything powder coated again. Once corrosion begins under it, it comes off in large blotches. When the corrosion starts, it's never ending till all the powder coat is gone. Best to properly prepare the surface and paint using the paint suppliers aluminum paint process.
__________________
Peter O.
'Ae'a, Pearson 35
'Ms American Pie', Sabre 28 Mark II
roverhi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2012, 21:44   #5
Registered User
 
delmarrey's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Philippines in the winters
Boat: It’s in French Polynesia now
Posts: 11,368
Images: 122
Re: Getting the chrome off...

And I'd use a sand blaster. I blasted all the chrome off a bronze helm wheel with good results. If the chrome is already bubbling then it'll come off fairly EZ.

Also had some aluminum winches that I blasted a ceramic coating off with good results.
__________________
Faithful are the Wounds of a Friend, but the Kisses of the Enemy are Deceitful! ........
The measure of a man is how he navigates to a proper shore in the midst of a storm!
delmarrey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2012, 22:17   #6
Registered User

Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Montegut LA.
Boat: Now we need to get her to Louisiana !! she's ours
Posts: 3,421
Re: Getting the chrome off...

I think maybe a Glass bead Blaster might be the way to go, a bunch less abasive then sand ! Ive used it for taking chrome off in the past (when I had things like that availble) It works a little better, and less chance of messing up!! Bob and Connie
bobconnie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2012, 22:19   #7
Registered User
 
Nemo55's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Punta Banda, Ensenada. and Canada
Boat: 28Ft Piver Encore, Tri-Maran, Anchored in San Diego.
Posts: 728
Send a message via Skype™ to Nemo55
Re: Getting the chrome off...

At any rate,,i am suggesting doing as much of the prep work as you can before sending it to be final prepped and re-chromed.
__________________
"The Truth Shall set you Free....But First it will Piss You Off"

https://nemo1955.blogspot.ca/
Nemo55 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-03-2012, 15:46   #8
Registered User
 
SabreKai's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Toronto, Canada on Lake Ontario
Boat: Roberts Offshore 38
Posts: 1,287
Images: 5
Re: Getting the Chrome Off ...

It occurs to me that I have a bucket of 220grit aluminum oxide sand blasting medium. I'll give that a try first on the inside of the housing and see what the result is. I tried using that 220 to clean up some tools and recollect that the finish was satiny with no deep pitting.

I was posting more to see if the chemical means were worth a try but perhaps the sandblasting is a better idea.

thanks for the discussion.
__________________
SabreKai
SV Sabre Dance, Roberts Offshore 38
https://sabredancing.wordpress.com/
SabreKai is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
The Joke Thread Ex-Calif Flotsam & Sailing Miscellany 4794 15-05-2015 08:53
Hurricane Season: What's The Fuss unbusted67 Navigation 44 14-03-2012 07:00
Getting the Chrome Off ... SabreKai Construction, Maintenance & Refit 7 10-03-2012 15:46
Hydroponic Gardening and Getting Off the Grid Sweetiepie Liveaboard's Forum 30 09-03-2012 16:53
How Do You Deal with All the Windy Days Here in Florida videorov Liveaboard's Forum 29 06-03-2012 09:54

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 20:58.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.