Summary for strip chrome off bicycle Discussion
The thread asks about stripping chrome from a 1999 Trek BMX Subhead bicycle frame and handlebars after sanding only dulled the surface and a special primer still chipped off. The questioner suspects the frame may be electroplated chrome and the handlebars may be dipped chrome, and asks whether hydrochloric acid would remove it. The excerpt provided does not include any answers, so there is no confirmed method or consensus in the source text. The only concrete outcome described is that 4 hours of sanding with 320-grit paper merely roughened the frame rather than removing the chrome, and the primer did not adhere well. Because no reply text is shown, the thread source here does not support a definitive recommendation beyond the problem statement itself.
Q. Hi,
I have a 1999 trek bmx subhead bicycle and I think it has been electroplated with chrome on the frame but on the handle bars some chrome is chipping so I think the handlebars are dipped in chrome. I have sanded the frame for a total of 4 hours with 320 grit sandpaper
⇦ on
eBay or
Amazon [affil link]
and all I made it look like was dull but I took it to a bike shop and they said all I did was (roughen) it. The frame is still very smooth but looks rough. I tried painting it with this special primer that is supposed to stick but it chips off and scratches off very easy. I need help on it. I have heard that hydrochloric acid would get it off but I am not sure so this is why I am here.
Thank you if you can help me.
David Spencer
student – woodinville, Washington, USA
2004
A. 320 is a good rough sandpaper, 1000
⇦[1000 grit on
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Amazon [affil link]
will take out most the scratches. The frame itself might be aluminum, see if a magnet will stick to it. If it will you can polish it. The forks are chrome plated. So you’ll have to paint them or touch up paint them with a chrome colored paint. The 1000 grit may remove most of the deep scratches and will allow a metal polish like Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish
⇦ on
eBay or
Amazon [affil link] to be used for a high shine. Sand in the direction of the frame and hold the sandpaper parallel.An epoxy paint should stick to the forks like glue.Make sure you clean the parts your painting with a solvent like paint thinner to remove any contaminates. This can help the paint stick.
John Lerch
– Peoria, Illinois, USA
2006