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info on chrome stripper

I ran out of my chrome stripper for my brush plating machine. I would like to know of haw to make some more, this is not my first venture into making plating chemicals, I have made copper plating solution a few time. On the outside it said Chrome stripper (aka. caustic soda [affil links] ). If all this stuff is is caustic soda thats not a problem to simply purchase. One more reason I am not buying it again, is not the fact they never phone me back, it is because I found there chrome stripper weak and most times leaving traces of chrome plating behind, then equaling in having a blotchy gold finish. Thank you Barrett

Barrett Russell
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
1999

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Dear Barrett,

Chromium rejects are often stripped, in commercial plating shops, by reverse electroplating in a proprietary alkaline cleaner. This treatment passivates the nickel, making it unreceptive to plating unless it is activated. Another standard procedure is to activate cathodically in an acidic pickle.

Best regards,

  
Tom Pullizzi
Falls Township, Pennsylvania
1999

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You can probably get by using a 20-25% solution of Sodium Hydroxide and mix in a little Chrome Reducer. After you strip the Chrome off it would be a good idea to reactivate the Nickel surface with a mild acid like 25% Hydrochloric acid. Any stronger acid may attack the paint finish and be hard to neutralize when you brush the Gold on.

Jim Conner
Anoplex Software

Mabank, Texas USA

1999