Stripping, pealing chrome over plastic

[Nad_Yvalhosert]

By the time the chrome is peeling off the plastic here in New Yuck, the plastic isnt worth saving. Just purchase a new grill and install it.

 

[618 Syndicate]

It’s like a thin metal. It’s curled up on the edges. I’m assuming some kind of electroplating? There’s no adhesive. It peels off but in tiny slivers

Chrome on metal (like wheels for example) is electroplated. That's why you can't blast and powder coat chrome wheels very easily. I've always thought the chrome on these grilles was just attached by adhesive. I don't think you can electroplate plastic? I'm not sure though.

 

[Caman96]

Plastic Chrome Plating - Vacuum Metalizing

 

[618 Syndicate]

So they plate the plastic with metal and then electroplate it. Still doesn't explain how the metal attaches to the plastic.
Wonder if that technique was what GM used?

 

[Caman96]

Definitely a wild concept. Not that I needed it, but I found a NOS grille on Facebook for about $50.00.

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They still live among us!

 

[Orpedcrow]

I found this:
Mix one cup of hydrochloric acid in a plastic bucket with three cups of water. Dunk your chrome-plated piece in the solution until you see the chrome come off. Remove the piece and rinse it thoroughly.

Or on YouTube there’s a guy hitting it with a heat gun. On low CAREFULLY I’m sure.

Acids a good idea, pretty sure I’ve got some at the shop. Well, I’ll need a bunch of it to dunk the grille lol

 

[Hipster]

Pretty sure aircraft stripper will melt and ruin the plastic. Acid might do the same

 

[Caman96]

Hydrochloric acid doesn’t affect plastic.

 

[Hipster]

Hydrochloric acid doesn’t affect plastic.

Gotcha.

 

[Caman96]

For all the headaches and dangers of dealing with acid(definitely will burn us), I’d look in junkyards or buy one.