Mad scientist (aka cheap bastard) DIY Chrome Removal

TLDR: Start at post #17 from @Heatonrx for the solution.


On a mission to either blackout or color match my blinding ass chrome door handles. Seriously I think these things store solar energy and discharge it like a nuclear powered glow stick.

Step 1: Remove chrome plate.... This is not your daddy’s chrome plate from the ‘90s. Toyota being the “relentless pursuit for quality” fuckers that they are, decided not to cheap out on the process. This is the expensive, industrial strength, suck my cannon balls, copper-nickel-chrome on ABS layered process. Tried sanding, it is possible but extremely labor intensive. Internet research has suggested that a bleach soak will do the trick. 8 hours of concentrated bleach soak and the MF’n chrome is even more shiny. The next “not so safe for skin” option was oven cleaner. Not regular oven cleaner, the yellow heavy duty spray bottle. One overnight soak later and the chrome is still there. Laughing. Taunting. Found someone in LA (the city, not the state) who took their entire grill to a local electroplating company the does a lot of chrome work. Apparently there is an acid bath, nitric acid and another one I forgot, that does a good job. Cost him about $3 to do his entire grill. Pictures looked very nice. There is a company close by me that does the electroplate thing. I’m calling them today to see if they remove chrome.

I’ll update this and take you along with me on this magical journey.


Edit: changed title from door handle paint to chrome removal. Better description of what’s going on.

 

If you're goin thru all this effort I'd say definitely color match them. You can buy the black and sell chrome for pretty much a wash, right here on this forum too.
You could sand or scuff with a scotchbright pad, use adhesion promoter, prime, paint, clear. It's been done with nice outcomes.

 

sounds like a lot of time...just buy color matched ones from Roman and be done.

 

Read my mind....

 

I have a 2009 and ended up pulled the handles off and giving them a good coat of plastidip. Been about a month or more and working well so far. I hated the chrome and was too cheap to buy a set of black.

 

“This is not your daddy’s chrome plate from the ‘90s. Toyota being the “relentless pursuit for quality” fuckers that they are, decided not to cheap out on the process. This is the expensive, industrial strength, suck my cannon balls, copper-nickel-chrome on ABS layered process. “
Very funny! I’ve heard of a couple people successfully dechroming with bleach, but it took days not hours.

 

So, to get the following:

Color matched handles: $111.83
https://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.c...ssories-door-handles-door-handles?parent=1001

Color matched bulge: $193.82
https://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.com/oem-parts/toyota-hood-bulge-magnetic-gray-1g3-761800c030b1/?c=aT04MTkzMTQ1NSZyPWxheWVyXzU=

Color matched surround (not sold separately, so you have to buy the insert as well): $328.35 for the Platinum version since there is no 1794 version. If you like the insert style for the 1794 (which i prefer over the Platinum) but don't like the chrome... you are SOL.
https://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.c...rille-assembly-magnetic-gray-1g3-531010c040b1

Color matched mirror caps: $81.92
https://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.com/toyota-tundra-accessories-mirror-caps-mirror-caps

Front bumpers (with sensors): $221.44 for both... then you have to have them painted, so add another $100 give or take. Also add on the seals: $26.42 for both
https://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.com/oem-parts/toyota-end-cap-with-parking-sensor-521120c908/?c=aT04MTkzMDA1NSZyPTQ=
https://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.com/oem-parts/toyota-end-cap-with-parking-sensor-521130c908/?c=aT04MTkzMDA1NSZyPTQ=
https://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.c...nsion-seal-538820c060/?c=aT04MTkzMTUwNSZyPTE2
https://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.c...nsion-seal-538830c050/?c=aT04MTkzMTUwNSZyPTE2

Rear bumpers (with sensors): $264.92 for both... again, you have to get them painted, so we will add another $100 give or take. Add the Side Reinforcements: $339.76 for both, 6 x Retainer Plate Clips: $6.42, 14 x Wheel Opening Molding Retainer Clips: $14.42, and 2 x Center Pillar Trim Clips: $2.44
https://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.com/oem-parts/toyota-end-cap-with-parking-sensors-521560c903/?c=aT04MTkzOTMyNSZyPTY=
https://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.com/oem-parts/toyota-end-cap-with-parking-sensor-521550c903/?c=aT04MTkzOTMzNSZyPTY=
https://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.com/oem-parts/toyota-side-reinforced-521540c030/?c=aT04MTkzOTMyNSZyPTk=
https://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.com/oem-parts/toyota-side-reinforced-521530c040/?c=aT04MTkzOTMyNSZyPTk=
https://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.c...plate-clip-9046804059/?c=aT04NTE5Njg1NSZyPTEw
https://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.c...heel-opening-molding-retainer-clip-9046707215
https://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.c...rim-clip-9046706165c0/?c=aT04MTkzNzE2NSZyPTEz

Now if you want to black out your badges you have to buy all those as well... we will say the average price is $50 each (also, there are no options for OEM blacked out 1794 so again, you are SOL): 2 x Tundra: $100.00, 2 x 4x4: $100, 2 x "5.7liter IForce": $100... i think thats it for everything.

Grand Total for: Handles, Mirror Caps, Front Bumpers, Rear Bumpers, Badges, Bulge, Surround, and Insert: Approximately $2091.74 depending on your body shop paint prices for the Front and Rear Bumpers.

Now, there are a great many here that have used plastidip, paint / primer over chrome, etc. with varying degrees of success. Im just trying to find another option for those that don't have or want to spend almost $2000 if there are $100-$500 options. I can't get ANY printshop to paint over the chrome in my area. However, if i brought them raw ABS or metal parts, they would have no problem painting them. Im trying to find a way to do that.

Not taking your comments personally, so please don't take my reply as an attack... just laying out my reasoning for doing what Im doing.

 

If someone was close to the DFW area, I'd trade my black 2018 CrewMax door handles for their chrome ones.

 

I thought this was bout door handles, not the whole truck, but yeah obviously that's expensive. you're just SOL because you have a newer model and they have a ridiculous amount of parts on them.

FWIW i painted mine myself. i bought a new Grill assembly off of rockauto.com because it comes in bare plastic, same for the mirror caps. paid $120. quality is OEM.

for the handles i just scuffed them up good, used adhesion promoter, primer, base, then clear. and everything looks good enough. paid maybe $100 for paint from automotivetouchup.com

doesn't look bad at all, but i'm an expert rattlecanner and have done this before. make a makeshift paint booth to control debris and you'll be fine. then after a few weeks wet sand, polish, wax and boom, done.

don't cheap out or your truck will look like a Ford.

 

If Roman has your color available, I would just buy the color matched handles. Pretty much the same price as having them painted and you get to keep or sell your chrome ones. The handles take a lot of abuse. It's the only mod I've purchased for my truck that is purely for aesthetics.

 

LMAO! I had a Ford... you are right.

It did start out as door handles, but morphed into this.... "mission creep" is the technical term. looking at rock auto now

 

for the chemists out there....

the ABS Plating process: https://www.researchgate.net/public...itrile-butadiene-styrene_ABS_plastic_a_review

 

Update with Rock Auto prices:

Color ready handles (can't buy all 4, you have to buy each individually): Toyota (Color Matched) $111.83, Rock Auto (Need Paint) $83.26
W/Key 81299: x 1
No/Key 81301: x 3

Color ready bulge: Toyota (Color Matched) $193.82, Rock Auto (Need Paint) $174.79
TO1231101

Color ready surround: Toyota (Color Matched) $328.35, Rock Auto (Needs Paint) $180.79
TO1200375

Color ready mirror caps (you can't buy caps only on Rock Auto, this is the entire mirror assembly): Toyota (Color Matched) $81.92, Rock Auto (Needs Paint) $129.58
TO1320340, TO1321340

Color ready front bumpers (with sensors): Also add on the seals: $26.42 for both (can't find them on Rock Auto): Toyota (Needs Paint) $221.44, Rock Auto $125.58
Bumpers: TO1004183, TO1004182
https://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.c...nsion-seal-538820c060/?c=aT04MTkzMTUwNSZyPTE2
https://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.c...nsion-seal-538830c050/?c=aT04MTkzMTUwNSZyPTE2

Color ready rear bumpers: Add the 6 x Retainer Plate Clips: $6.42, 14 x Wheel Opening Molding Retainer Clips: $14.42, and 2 x Center Pillar Trim Clips: $2.44 (can't find them on Rock Auto) Bumpers: Toyota (Needs Paint) $264.92, Rock Auto (Needs Paint) $159.58; Reinforcements Toyota $339.76, Rock Auto $89.58
Bumpers: TO1105130, TO1104130
Reinforcements: TO1126100, TO1127100:
https://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.c...reinforced-521530c040/?c=aT04MTkzOTMyNSZyPTk=
https://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.c...plate-clip-9046804059/?c=aT04NTE5Njg1NSZyPTEw
https://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.c...heel-opening-molding-retainer-clip-9046707215
https://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.c...rim-clip-9046706165c0/?c=aT04MTkzNzE2NSZyPTEz


$2091.74 estimate for the "straight from Toyota" all in one bundle from earlier post.

Using the best estimate on the above from Rock Auto is about: $1792.68 assuming about $500 to get all items painted if you bring them in all at once.

 

I bought a set of chrome door handles and mirror caps of Ebay for $50. I've done the bleach for two days changing it. Took off about 20%. Then I tried oven cleaner which doesn't touch it. Now I just did hydrogen peroxide mixed with muriatic acid 2:1. I read some posts it works. Kind of wish I primed and painted but I've committed to removing it.

 

You're a freak

 

lol, im told you have to be to do what i do.

 

We have a winner!! Only a few hours. Don't mix muriatic acid and bleach, chorine gas will kill you. Check these out.

 

Was that the muriatic acid and peroxide?

Care to detail?

 

Ok, I found a mix as well. It’s used as an enchant in electronics. I’d post a “How to” but I don’t want to be liable if you kill your neighbors dog or burn your driveway down. Use Google.

It does work well though just like @Heatonrx pic shows. Here’s my test pieces after 20 min. You can see the chrome “flaking” off. Should take about an hour to hour and a half to complete.

 

1.5 hours of soak. About 75% of the chrome is gone from the larger piece of the handle. 95% of the chrome is gone from the smaller piece. Should be done in another 30-45 min.

 

I found it on Youtube. Was a video using bleach on some Datsun chrome. The comments below it discussed the mix.Looks similar to use since the muriatic acid is green.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDpObLuJVeQ

 

2 1/2 hours soak. Rinse. Ready to paint.

FU chrome. FU $2000. $25 in materials and we are cookin with crisco.

 

I got a set of black front door handles and black mirror caps lying in my shed. Took them off and put chrome pieces on, didn't want my truck looking like a freaking work truck with black plastic crap all over it. Thinking of getting some sort of chrome mesh grill insert, not sure on that though.

I don't get why everybody is so anti-chrome all the sudden. I swear 5-10 years ago, black trim=standard, chrome trim $1000 extra, buy next up trim level. Now days chrome trim standard, black or body color trim $1000 extra on next trim level.

 

I like chrome on some trucks. I think it looks good in moderation on black. But I like color match and black on mine. I’m doing my door handles in MGM. The mirror caps black. The grill surround and bulge will be color match, and now that I can effectively remove the chrome from my 1794 grill the center will be black. Front end caps and center bumper will be MGM.

Mostly it’s just a matter of taste. Some people like their truck a certain way, be it: rims, tires, chrome, plastidip, tonneau covers, level, lift, stock height, line-x... you get the point. Mod list goes on forever. Some people will never use the mods for what they are for. Pavement princess with lift, nitto’s, sliders, that will never see dirt etc... I don’t care, do what you like. You be you. If you aren’t hurting anyone don’t ever apologize for it.

Thing is: I just spent $2000 on wheels and tires, tryin to save a few bucks... and with the amount of people de chroming one here I figured “what the hell” someone may find this info useful.

 

2 coats of primer, 1st coat of MGM. One more coat of MGM, wet sand, and 3 coats of clear to do tomorrow and more wet sand in a couple days.

 

Looking good!

 

Looks awesome. Where did you get the mgm paint? Thanks in advance .

 

Yep, I did it. What a PITA!

 

Amazon. Look up Duplicolor MGM. I’m using their primer, MGM, and clear coat. If you have a different color look up your paint code. 99% positive they have it.

 

@dud13 do you know how that chrome removal mix does on steel bumper end caps? I was wondering if the mixture does some kind of oxidation or chemical reaction to the steel under the chrome plating. In any case, thanks for this write up. I just might do this with my steel endcaps and color match my MGM if it proves worthy. Thank you in advance.