Removing chrome

[rxmd]

Hi,

I've got a Zorki that needs a CLA sooner or later and I'm thinking of turning it into a gold Leica or maybe painting it.

What's the best way of stripping the chrome? Grinding it down with sand paper sounds tedious and hard to do thoroughly. Sandblasting and electrolysis can't be done at home. Is there some chemical way of getting the chrome off? Or should I just go to a bike shop and have them do it in exchange for a crate of beer?

Philipp

 

[rxmd]

Thanks.

Isn't hydrochloric acid likely to attack the brass?

 

[rxmd]

The dilute muratic will not eat it away if you are watching it. It works at a medium speed.
Have a container with baking soda water standing by. When you remove the parts, dunk them in the soda water.

I've done many FSU cameras this way.

OK, thanks. Last question: what concentration/dilution of acid do you use? I'm asking because I'm not sure there is such a product as "pool cleaning acid" here, so I'd have to buy HCl at a chemist's.

Philipp

 

[bsdunek]

I have done quite a few cameras. I used to do quite a business painting cameras and covering them with exotic leathers, like goat suaed, lizard, etc.

I always remove the chrome by electrolysis rather than acid. I think it's more controlable.
I suspend the part in a plastic container of salt water along with a metal plate. Any metal will do. A battery charter is connected, - to the camera part and + to the plate. Six volt setting is best but 12 will do. It should take several hours, but keep watch of it. When brass starts to show, stop. You can sand and paint over the nickle, it's the chrome that paint won't stick to. Note that some camera covers are steel, not brass, so brass won't show. Just keep watching.

After de-chroming, sand with no. 600 paper, Use a iron oxide primer coat, then a filler primer coat. Sand between coats. Be sure everything is perfectly smooth, as any flaws will show through the paint.

I use regular automotive paints. Spray cans are Ok, but a good two part paint is better. DuPont Centrion is great. I use an air brush to apply. Dust is the worst problem. Do all this in a clean area.

Just my advice - worth what you paid for it 😎

 

[dll927]

One question: Don't they have swimming pools in Germany? Or is it that they just don't clean them? It seems most pool people use muriatic acid.