stripping the chrome off plastic

[joemenchaca]

what are the best methods and chemicals for stripping the plating off plastic

[FMW]

Since no one else has replied to this, I'll give it a shot. If nothing else, someone should jump in to point out how wrong I am.

I'm not sure I've ever intentionally stripped chrome, but I've had it happen on occasion. My stripping chemical of choice is Simple Green. It seems to remove a lot of stuff of you let things soak long enough. I use it because it claims to be non-toxic and biodegradable. That way I don't feel bad about dumping it in the back corner of the yard. Note that non-toxic is relative. I got a nasty rash on my hand the last time I used it. Since Simple Green is a degreaser, it will tend to make styrene more brittle. Soaking too long can leave you with really fragile parts.

Here's a relevant post from Starship Modeler:

www.starshipmodeler.net/talk/viewtopic.php?t=47019&sid=c6def47610b5fe1ac7c9d681d0b69a0c

Some people think that Tide laundry detergent takes off chrome. Not sure what dilution, if any, they use. There is also some debate as to what takes off chrome but leaves the lacquer they coat the plastic with first.

You might check forums in places like Scale Auto Enthusiast, or just search Google for "Stripping chrome from styrene". There's a lot of stuff out there.

FMW

[56150]

For me, it's "the purple stuff". I think it's called Super Clean, you can pick it up at Wal-Mart in the automotive section, pretty in-expensive.
I just put the parts in (I used a tea bomb for the small parts), let them sit over night (sometimes takes longer) and the chrome is gone. I have had absolutely no problems with this stuff and there have been times I have just left the parts in for long periods of time, sometimes even weeks.

[unforgiven]

Kewl, the Purple stuff is Purple Power, the super clean, is CSC, Castrol Super Clean, I use windex, it will kinda get the glossy stuff too, if ya let it sit for a day or 2, its the Amonia, that strips the chrome, in windex, I have also used Westlys Bleach White, found in dollar generails, so there are a few ways to do it, that dont cost ya, an arm or a few fingers.

[56150]

Thanks, your right, it is Purple Power (couldn't remember for sure). it also take off the clear base under the plating.

[Danno]

Purple Power is my first choice for paint stripping and for chrome stripping. I just haven't found anything that works any better, and it is not as dangerous-caustic as oven cleaners. Plus, it's biodegradable and can safely be disposed of when depleted.

[FMW]

My engineering curiosity kicked in so I looked up the MSDS (material safety data sheet) information on Purple Power and Simple Green.

Purple Power lists its active ingredient as Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether < 1%.

Simple Green lists its main active ingredient as 2‐butoxyethanol < 5%. (Simple Green has some other stuff in it, for what it's worth.)

Wikipedia says Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether and 2‐butoxyethanol are the same stuff.

Amazon sells two different kinds of Purple Power:
unnumbered at $22.99/gal.
4320P at $7.79/gal

Simple Green (from Amazon) comes in a bunch of variants from $11.15 to $18.74/gal

I'm not sure if price is related to strength or some weird marketing factor. (Would you pay more for Simple Green 13406 Extreme Aircraft and Precision Cleaner? I guess it depends on if you own an extreme and precise aircraft.)

More information you never asked for from Frankenstein Motor Works.

FMW

[joemenchaca]

i want to tell everyone thanks for the suggestions. im almost ready to start building i have over 120 kits in my stash. i almost have every kit i built when i was a kid. back then the more chrome the better now i just want to build more authentic cars. thanks again joe menchaca