Stripping chrome

[brannend]

I have a MENG BMW RnineT motorcycle model that I wanted to remove the chrome from exhaust parts. I tried ammonia, didn't work. Then I tried oven cleaner. Still did not work. The parts stayed in the ammonia for more than 24 hours and in the oven cleaner for more than 48 hours. I am wondering if the MENG chrome is some sort of super special / magical stuff. My thinking at this point is to lightly scuff the chrome parts and just paint on top of the existing chrome. Anyway, if somebody has more extensive experience with these specific parts I sure would like to hear about your work around.

Thanks in advance for your help / input.

David in Oregon

 

[urumomo]

try bleach

 

[Project510]

I use LA's awesome cleaner. Its never failed me before. THough I have not yet built a Meng kit. I buy it at the dollar store. Works well for me.
I made the mistake of lining a bowl with foil and poured the stuff in there, and it fully dissolved it. THe foil that is.

 

[urumomo]

orange oil will do that .
I stripped a big pile of lathe parts a while back using vinegar .
Everything was so rusty and dirty I didn't notice one part had a big cast aluminum section -- it did a number on that .

 

[the Baron]

I use SuperClean, which is an automotive de-greaser. It's available at auto supply stores and also at Walmart, around $8 or 9 bucks a gallon. I saw a thread on another forum where someone used it to strip the chrome from Tamiya's chromed P-51D kit, so I tried it out on the chrome sprues in Monogram's Red Baron hot rod kit. I used an old glass baking dish that fit the sprue, filled it with SuperClean, then watched as the chrome dissolved into the solution. In 2 minutes, it was completely removed.

And it can be used over and over, so for the price, it's a bargain. I use it to strip paint from styrene, from metal, and from resin. I have not had it attack any material yet, especially resin. For paint, it does take more time than just minutes, but depending on the paint, it's a soak of five minutes to ten minutes, and the paint has dissolved or softened enough to rinse off under running water. I also use an old toothbrush to scrub the piece gently.

I also have used it to blow through the airbrush, to clean my paint brushes, and to clean grease around the house. That it has so many uses and is relatively cheap appeals to my Dutchy senses.

Hope that helps!

Best regards,
Brad