Aloha, fun & authoritative answers -- no cost, no registration, no passwords, no popups
(as an eBay Partner & Amazon Affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases)

Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989

-----

Chemical Removal of Brass Plating

Is there any chemical way to remove brass plating? I need to reveal the stainless steel underneath.

Thank you.

Cory Allers
- Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
2002

The old traditional is 90 g/l of NaCN with 15 g/l of NaOH @ room temperature. Make the work anodic and use steel cathodes. Although the handbooks all say 6 volts, start out easy at 2 volts.

Another alternate is ammonium persulphate 75 g/l with 375 ml/l of aqua ammonia [on eBay or Amazon] at 70-85 deg. F with no current. Many proprietaries are also available.

Charles Reichert CEF-2
- Seattle, Washington
2002

If the base is stainless steel then the simplest is nitric acid say 20-50% vol or say 10% sulfuric acid with additions of hydrogen peroxide preferably with a stabilizer e.g., phenol, alcohol.

Geoffrey Whitelaw
- Port Melbourne, Australia
2002

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: