Mad scientist (aka cheap bastard) DIY Chrome Removal

I would not recommend metal. Everything I’ve seen says that this mixture does not like metal. Something about oxidizing, heat, etc... now I will say, this is used as an etching compound for electronics. Additionally, when you take your door handles off there are little metal “damn-its” where the screw that holds the handle to the door seats. I left those in with the rest of the handle during the soak. I did notice a “scaling” that I scraped off after the chrome was removed. Kind of looked like the patina that copper gets after it’s been outside for a few years. I was thinking about getting a small piece of chromed metal and put it in a small bucket at the end of the driveway just to see what happens. I don’t recommend for anyone to try this though.

 

Let me know what happens with chromed metal. I bought front bumper ends online to paint, the plastic ones. Not sure how I'll like them. They seem a little flimsy compared to my chrome ones. Here's mine so far.......

 

Those came out really really nice!!! Freaking sweet!!!

 

@dud13 when are you going to start on the interior? I'm thinking I might have to try this on the A/C vents.

 

Was going to start the inside as soon as I finish the outside. I have to find a container big enough for the grille and bulge maybe one of the plastic storage bins they have at Walmart. I had a small kids pool but it’s still a bit too big.

Also working on a custom light switch panel for exterior lights. Working with a company in China to make the switch housing. Something like this one they have for Jeeps... but for tundras and maybe tacos.

 

Did you notice on any of the pieces where the base coat seemed uneven? Shiny in some places and dull in others? I had to redo one of my handles because of this. I think it may be the duplicolor primer, but I’m not sure. Maybe it’s not made for plastic. I bought some plastic primer and am going to try that and see if it works better.

 

No but I did 4 coats.

 

https://duplicolor.com/product/adhesion-promoter I used this first.

 

Did you use that, the primer, then base coat?

I used 2 coats of primer, 3 base coat. I was going to put a clear coat on to see if that would even it out but decided to start over.

 

I used 2 of that as the primer, 3 base coat and 4 coats clear. Didn’t look great until the clear. Like you said not too shiny until clear is on. It does even it out. I didn’t wet sand the clear yet.

 

Same here , I already have a lot of chrome on my truck (Stock) so I decided to continue in that direction even down to some old schools Cragar SS rims, unfortunately as I was about to put up the link I found out these rims wont fit my truck https://www.google.com/shopping/product/6853691435799940127

I did find some others, is it just me or does anyone else think it's insane to pay 3K for a set of rims?
https://www.carid.com/foose-wheels/f202-nitrous-2pc-welded-custom-finish-91194683.html

 

Let me know if you do the hood bulge. Wondering if the black center comes off.

 

Should be completed this coming weekend couldn’t find a container large enough to hold the entire grill surround. I was looking for something around 61” x 19” x 9” so I could soak the whole thing at once, but had no success. Was going to build a plywood frame and line it with plastic, but noticed a small plastic recycle container a Lowe’s for $18. It will fit just over half, so I’ll have to soak the top, then flip it over and do the bottom. Kind of works out nice though. Now I don’t have to buy 45 gallons of chemicals, I only need 20. The problem is finding 13 gallons of peroxide. Lol

Finished all my handles this weekend. Will give them a couple days before wet sanding with 2000 grit. They turned out really, really good.

 

The black center comes off quite easily. 5 bolts and use a flathead screwdriver to break the plastic welds. Don't worry, the screws will hold it when you put it back . I've pulled two apart to put in led lights.

Hope this helps.

 

Very cool. Thank you!

 

Any pics yet?

 

Sorry for the delay. I haven’t done the grill and bulge yet. I’m waiting on Wally World to stock up on peroxide again. I need about 15 gallons (60 pint bottles). I’m halfway there. Should be a couple more weeks. Lol

I color matched the handles and went with a textured black on the mirror caps to match the surrounding black of the mirrors. I used the same black on the bushwhackers (on the back of the truck), and the step bars. I’ll have the fender flares on later today.

Here are the handles (I still need to use buffing compound to shine them up) and mirror caps:

 

As a test I’ll let you all guess which one of the handles is factory MGM and which ones I painted myself.

 

I thought you did them all yourself. If I had to guess without seeing them closely... drivers side rear? They all look the same. Need a little polishing. Looks good though!

 

I did them all. I was just messing with ya. It’s saturday and the doc has me spun up on post surgery pain killers.

Here she is all cleaned up and put back together. Ready for next weeks mods when I can move again and my head is clear. Lol

 

I did the tail gate handle too. Came out great.

 

I love the decal on the rear, where can one procure decals like that?

 

I made that one on my wife’s circuit machine. I can send the files to @DecalsByDesign and he may be able to hook you up. I made a couple different types. Look up truck bed tattoos in one of my posts.

 

Close ups of the decals

 

I hope you payed cash (insert tin foil hat guy here).

Edit: to fix quote tag

 

I’m already on so many lists it’s not funny. One more wont hurt.

 

OK, let's cut to the chase. Do the badge

I've got all the chrome removed with the exception of the badge. I know it comes apart like the Platinum, but haven't mustered up the cajonie's to remove it. Hopefully, your "step by step" directions will show me the way...

 

I’m wondering that part myself. I was thinking about a vinyl cover of some sort. Maybe a smoked look. Or the darkening spray you put on headlights/taillights. I’ll look at it tomorrow and see what the inside looks like and let you know my approach.

 

Here's one before I put it back on. Rainy here so I don't have a truck pic. I'll post one when I put my MGM front bumper caps on.