Removing paint on chrome?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 649
Likes: 10
From: Shelby Twp MI
Removing paint on chrome?
For some reason, somebody painted the chrome trim around the windshield black and I have other pieces that look like someone didn't take too much time masking before they painted red. Needless to say, it is all faded and flaking off in areas.
I tried a small patch of thinner, doesn't seem to work. Is there anything out there I can use that won't affect the chrome finish?!?
I tried a small patch of thinner, doesn't seem to work. Is there anything out there I can use that won't affect the chrome finish?!?
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,981
Likes: 6,207
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
For some reason, somebody painted the chrome trim around the windshield black and I have other pieces that look like someone didn't take too much time masking before they painted red. Needless to say, it is all faded and flaking off in areas.
I tried a small patch of thinner, doesn't seem to work. Is there anything out there I can use that won't affect the chrome finish?!?
I tried a small patch of thinner, doesn't seem to work. Is there anything out there I can use that won't affect the chrome finish?!?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 1,357
From: Santa Ana CA
For some reason, somebody painted the chrome trim around the windshield black and I have other pieces that look like someone didn't take too much time masking before they painted red. Needless to say, it is all faded and flaking off in areas.
I tried a small patch of thinner, doesn't seem to work. Is there anything out there I can use that won't affect the chrome finish?!?
I tried a small patch of thinner, doesn't seem to work. Is there anything out there I can use that won't affect the chrome finish?!?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,073
Likes: 9,398
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
lacquer thinner and fine steel wool. all trim is polished stainless that is then flashed chromed. if you polish it to hard it will never look right again
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,117
From: Crossville TN
I think that I would mask off around the trim, then use a dremel or power drill with some kind of plastic-stranded stripper wheel. Plastic strands shouldn't do and damage/marking of the stainless (it may even polish them), but that would be a lot less risky than working with paint thinner or stripper near your car's paint.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 154
From: Deplorableville Nebraska
I've had very good results with using aluminum foil wadded up in a ball with a few drops of your solvent of choice to remove paint over sprays and small patches of rust on chrome and stainless trim. The aluminum foil is much softer than the steel or chrome, but has a lot of scrubbing power to remove paint and such. I've found fine steel wool leaves the bright finish a little duller.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: Searcy Arkansas
My rear window trim was also removed... I used a buffing wheel on my bench grinder with a fine polishing compound... It was a little messy until the black paint finished coming off... but is shines like new now....Except for the mess... I had no issues doing it this way... I have not done the front yet...
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,383
Likes: 789
From: Redondo Beach, California
Your windshield trim should be stainless steel, even if it's steel, fine steel wool will scuff both types of steel. Soak the trim in paint remover or soak it in lacquer thinner.
], just get some paint stripper. Brush it on, let it sit, rinse it off, dry, reinstall.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,885
Likes: 1
Here's an interesting method to remove paint from chrome - I would have never thought of oven cleaner.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4809619_remo...nt-chrome.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_4809619_remo...nt-chrome.html
