The Old Machinery Magazine Forum

Forum Categories => Stationary Engines => Topic started by: Nogbad on 16 May, 2019, 06:28:53 am

Title: Removing the electroplated finish?
Post by: Nogbad on 16 May, 2019, 06:28:53 am
The replacement nuts and studs for my stationary engine have a plated finish.
As most engines built in the 50s and before would not have had this when new, I'd like to remove it all and go back to the plain steel.
Any Ideas?
Title: Re: Removing the electroplated finish?
Post by: cobbadog on 16 May, 2019, 02:29:45 pm
Research re-chroming items like bumper bars. Way back we used to use a sanding disc to remove the chrome when we had to repair the bumper bar before sending it off for plating again. They have a procedure to remove the chrome by use of an acid (I think) then they do the preparation for chroming like copper plating it first then the electroplating.
God luck with it and let us know how you get on.

The other option is to simply replace the chrome ones with new or make your own studs at least.
Title: Re: Removing the electroplated finish?
Post by: Scott on 16 May, 2019, 04:58:52 pm
Hello all
If it's cad plated then electrolysis will work. Or wire brush in the bench grinder. Or acid.

Cheers Scott
Title: Re: Removing the electroplated finish?
Post by: cobbadog on 16 May, 2019, 09:02:47 pm
I did a Youtube search and there are many ways to remove it using electrolysis and an acid. This was a very quick process demonstrating it on a small piece of pipe. It took 30 seconds at 4 amps. However this removed the chrome but left the copper plating I mentioned earlier. A bit more searching will show you how to do the job.
Hope this helps you out.