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Another stupid finish question

tomh.
What are the chances of successfully stripping off hard chrome finish from a pistol? For the purposes of re-blueing it? I know: why, why?
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Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • TRAP55
    It can be done, but it's not cheap!

    "Aim small...Miss small"
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  • tobefree
    Many shops can chemically remove chrome easily without damage the metal under it. Nickel plating is a different ball game. very expensive to remove.
    I am assuming that under that under the chrome there is also a layer of copper plate. Al least that is how the company that I work for chromes their products. We have stripped the chrome but I have never known them to remove the copper. They always replate.
    The process is very toxic by the way.


    tobefree
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  • tomh.
    Do you guys have any suggestions for someone to contact or any experience with a particular shop, good or bad? Thanks for the replies.
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  • rhmc24
    Nickel is easily removed with Brownell's kit that costs about $40. I have used it several times. Chrome it won't touch.

    Been there - done that!
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  • HAIRY
    I've got an old H&R nickel plated revolver which is in need of removing the old nickel and then replating. Is this a project that a klutz like me can handle or do I add to the economic welfare of my local gunsmith? [:D]

    Don't assume malice for what stupidity can explain.

    volenti non fit injuria
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  • tobefree
    I noticed that this product will also take of copper plating. Which would be usefull because the process to remove Chrome leaves the copper plating. Copper plating is applied first to make the chrome plating more shiny. I don't know that this process is used on guns but I've a few so shiny that they could blind you on a sunny day. I suspect that this process is used at least some of the time if not always. Chrome plating also adds thickness to a part. This thickness must be allowed for in assembly. Removing the plating may cause additional looseness in the assembly, which may or may not be critical.

    tobefree
    My wife said,"Either the guns or me." I sure do miss that woman!
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  • rhmc24
    HAIRY you can remove the nickel with the Brownell's nickel removing kit. You can re-nickel plate it with a kit from Texas Plater Supply that costs about $40 and needs about 3 or 4 flashlite battery power to do the plating. But is the gun worth it? The cost for the two kits will give you enough to do several pistols if you have them to do. I have done several plating jobs with the little kit and it works OK. Not as durable as a proper plating shop job but it can look good and it lasts well on a gun that isn't going to be handled a lot. I have some I did dating back 20 years.

    Been there - Done that!
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  • HAIRY
    rhmc24: Thanks for the info; now have to decide if it is worth the effort and $$$ to bother with. Thanks again. [:D]

    Don't assume malice for what stupidity can explain.

    volenti non fit injuria
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