stripping chrome and pot metal rework

[DAVE JONES]

does anyone here know how to strip chrome off pot metal. I'm looking for a way to be able to do this in my garage but I dont know how hard it is to do this easily and properly. I know that you need some chemicals and some sort of electrical charge that is negitive but thats it. I'm also looking to rework pot metal pits. I know that after stripping, I believe you use silver solder as fill in the bad areas then sand it down to match the existing contour. I'm looking for all input that I can get and any ideas will be greatly appreciated..... thanks.......DAVE

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[hemigtx]

Hey Dave
I will be doing that as well with a 68 gtx decklid finish panel. I just scrounged up a real nice one that just needs to be rechromed, but I want to practice this anyways. I was thinking about dropping the piece off at the chrome shop to get it stripped, then slightly enlarging the pits with a dremel tool (to get down to better metal), and then weld it up with some special rods that I got at Harbor Freight (Eastwood sells the same ones for a lot more money). Once they were filled, and finished, then back to chrome shop for a replate. Haven't tried this yet, but that's the basic plan. Tell us how you make out!

[DAVE JONES]

Hey Mr. Hemi. Good luck with your rods. Be careful though. From what I know about rods (which isnt a whole lot) You will probably melt the pot metal. I'm assuming your talking about mig/tig/heli-arc. These produce one hellava lot of heat and react real poorly with pot metal. If your talking about some sort of "fill rod" which has a somewhat low melting point then I would think this would be better. Like I said, I'm far from a welding genius but I believe most places use a silver solder to fill with. If these rods work for you let me know so I'm smarter. I'll let you know what I find out with way. The main thing I'm looking for is a way to strip the chrome at my house.......good luck.....DAVE

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[floyd]

Try Caswell Plating:
www.caswellplating.com
(315) 597-5140

They have a catalog of home-plating kits.

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[morpar]

Check page 71 of the July 2000 issue of MOPAR MUSCLE. In an article about refinishing trim they mention a guy who also does repair on pot metal. He's got some tips mentioned in the article. They published his name/phone- George Iverson.
He's at Iverson Automotive in Minnesota,
800-938-5707

[DAVE JONES]

Thanks for the tips guys. The site is great and Newark NY is 20 mins from me. I havent had time to check out the mag yet but I will. Any other ideas are welcome.

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