Summary for remove chrome from wheels Discussion
chrome from wheels is not as simple as stripping off a visible top layer. In the thread, Erin Medsker asks whether there is a product or chemical that will take chrome off wheels. The reply explains that muriatic acid will quickly remove the chromium layer, but that what most people call “chrome” plating is actually a very thin chromium topcoat over much thicker nickel plating. After the chrome is gone, the wheels may still look nearly the same to the untrained eye because the nickel remains. The answerer says the nickel cannot be safely removed at home; it requires toxic chemicals and should be handled by a plating shop with proper industrial controls and waste management. The exchange also notes that the question is really about removing both chrome and nickel, not just chrome alone.
Q. I was wondering if there is a product or chemical that would take the chrome off of wheels?
Erin Medsker
Automotive – Mason City, Iowa, USA
2003
A. Muriatic acid will quickly remove the chrome. However, you probably really mean to ask what will remove the chrome and the nickel. See, what laymen call ‘chrome’ plating is actually a few millionths of an inch of chromium on top of a hundred times as much nickel plating [see our “Chrome Plating Tutorial“]. After the chrome is gone it will still look pretty much the same to the untrained eye.
You can’t get the nickel off yourself; it requires toxic chemicals and you need to send the wheels to a plating shop which can exercise responsible management of the chemicals and waste products in an industrial environment by trained operators.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
2003
A. Shame, shame Ted! Haven’t I taught you anything? All nickel strippers are NOT toxic! The rest of your advice, however, is right on target. Metal removal is NOT a DIY home project.
Gayle Coffey
Metalx Specialty Products / Ronatec
Fallbrook, California
2003
It’s not your fault, Gayle, I’m just a slow learner :-)
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
2003