Letter 21020

Nickel plating removal / stripping

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I'm trying to strip nickel from a couple of improperly plated aluminum parts. The local chrome shop dipped it and removed the chrome, but told me to SAND and POLISH off the nickel! I've been able to carefully peel off some but not all of the nickel. Is there a chemical or electrochemical process for removing the nickel plating?

Thanks,

John Simpson
- SW Ranches, FL

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Concentrated nitric acid will do it without destroying the alloy in most cases. You will need proper protective equipment and good air flow as it will emit NOx! For small areas, try a swab. It will last for a minute or so and then you will need another swab. Properly dispose of your refuse. It is hazardous.

James Watts
- FL

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Try nitric acid say 50% by vol Be careful-- wear protective gear and avoid breathing fumes.

Geoff Whitelaw
- Port Melbourne, Vic., Australia

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The large gunsmith supply companies carry a nickel stripper that works quite well. The parts that need to have the nickel removed just need to be immersed in the liquid. It's the best way I've found to remove nickel without a lot of polishing but it only comes in one gallon quantities so it's not meant for large jobs.

Brian F Bonser
custom weaponry - Stuart, Florida

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I suggest go back to the local plating shop and teach them how to strip in the above mentioned nitric acid solution. I would strongly suggest that you do [not] mess with concentrated nitric and the hazardous waste you will produce once you load it with nickel.

Jon Quirt
- Minneapolis, MN

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Just to let you guys know. I have successfully removed a lot of chrome and nickel with the techniques listed here. I'm lucky enough to have access to a large supply of sodium Hydroxide and Nitric acid. I have been using them for years at my Job. (with the proper training and safety gear). After buying an old motorcycle i was look into ways of removing the chrome, then nickel then polishing up the aluminum. and WOW...it worked great. That is AFTER I destroyed a small pc. trying to sand and pick it off.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Brian

Brian Maty
- Scranton , Pa USA

August 10, 2008

50% tec grade sulfuric acid (66 degree sulfuric acid) and 50% water using electric will take off your nickel without hurting your aluminum. You can use a battery charger [link is to product info at Amazon] as a rectifier. If the part has copper on it depending how much build is on the part it shoult remove it also. Nitric acid will do the job the same way without electric, make sure you don't put steel in nitric acid, bad* chem reaction. good luck

Mark Ryder
- Dayton, Ohio

Ed. note: * - by bad reaction, Mark means the solution will evolve copious clouds of toxic NOx. So, to repeat then, keep nitric acid away from steel!

September 5, 2009

So no nitric acid on steel? What would be the best method to remove the plating from rims then? I have some old steel and aluminum rims that are peeling. Most of the methods I'v come across are for one or the other.

Marshall DuHaime
- Tallahassee, Florida