Stripping Chrome/Nickle coating?

[Thaco]

anybody know anywhere that does this at a reasonable price? or know how to DIY? i'm not fraid to do some work to save money.

I want to get a set of wheels powdercoated but none of the powder places can strip the chrome/nickle, they suggested alberta plating but said it's $150/wheel, and its $110 to coat them after so its not worth $1000 for me... I'd probably just scuff them up and paint them at that point...

So, somewhat related, if powdercoating isnt really an option, what's the hardest, least damage prone paint? i dont care if it doesn't look great up close, even bedliner may be an option.

[tirebob]

Chrome is a nightmare to remove and takes a lot of sand and time hence the high costs. Just is what it is. Most guys won't even tough it for a reason.

[AndyL]

Spitballin... But would sandblasting remove it?

I mean firehouse sized sandblaster at consolidated compressor would strip a dump trailer in 30 minutes... So it might be technically more feasible. 4 wheels you'd probably be under their minimum charge time...

[ThePenIsMightier]

Wow. This seems like something that would've been invented, already. Something like an ultrasonic, chemical bath should get rid of that shit with zero effort. The entire process of application is destined to fail by electrochemistry in the first place, isn't it? Something about the redox number of nickel vs chrome and the chrome is essentially the sacrificial anode DESTINED to fail over time?

I recall a guy that had gold plating capability in Edmonton years ago. That prices involved cyanide iIRC. Not related...

[Thaco]

Spitballin... But would sandblasting remove it?

I mean firehouse sized sandblaster at consolidated compressor would strip a dump trailer in 30 minutes... So it might be technically more feasible. 4 wheels you'd probably be under their minimum charge time...

i dont really know, that's half the problem, i dont know what the expectation is of the powdercoating place.

[Maxx Mazda]

I’ve done the reverse electrolysis on small parts, but for something as big as rims you’re best bet is mechanical removal.

Consolidated compressor has blasters with enough chooch to do what you need. Just have patience.

[tirebob]

Spitballin... But would sandblasting remove it?

I mean firehouse sized sandblaster at consolidated compressor would strip a dump trailer in 30 minutes... So it might be technically more feasible. 4 wheels you'd probably be under their minimum charge time...You would need the right equipment and media I would think, but that is the only way I have ever seen anyone local do it. There was a guy in the south that I knew would do it but he shut down shop last year unfortunately, but his pricing was not a lot different.