Removing chrome plating from emblems

After dealing with peeling plasiti-dip on emblems, I decided to just paint them. I had issues with adhesion (400 grit, plastic primer and Krylon fusion) so I just removed the chrome plating on the emblems. I am now going to paint them - color match. The process is time consuming, but, results in a "virgin" plastic surface to work with and prep for paint. Immerse the emblems in household bleach (use a plastic container), change the bleach twice a day. Process takes about a week on emblems the size pictured. All the chrome plating is removed without affecting the plastic lettering. Should work on any vacuum metalized auto part.

 

Interesting. I just might try this on other emblems.

 

If you soak chrome plated plastics in acetone, it will do the same thing much quicker (hours, not days). You just have to be sure the base plastic doesn't melt from the acetone.

EDIT: DON'T USE ACETONE! It will start to melt the plastic once the chrome is gone. I was wrong.

 

I like this but am curious...do you just use some 3M double sided tape to re-apply the badges/emblems?

Also kinda surprised that plasti-dip peeled. I had it on all my chrome badging of last vehicle for 3-4yrs w/o issue.

 

Looks good and its the right way to do it. Paint simply will not work long term over chrome. There are also DIY methods that use oven cleaner or brake fluid.

 

That's tricky. I'm not sure what type of plastics emblems are made of but guessing emblems are most likely ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) which I don't believe will hold up. Only plastics that can safely contain acetone are PP=polypropylene and PPCO=polypropylene copolymer.

 

Your right, I was able to take chrome off of R/C truck parts, but I just tried on a old car emblem, and it took the chrome off, but after the chrome was gone, it was starting to melt the plastic. Thanks for the info.

 

I tested oven cleaner (EZ OFF) acetone and dot 3 brake fluid. EZ Off had no effect. (EZ Off will remove the chrome from poly styrene, like model car parts) Acetone and brake fluid both went after the chrome and the plastic! Chlorine bleach takes longer but has NO effect on the plastic. A reapplication of 3M double sided trim tape to reattach. Plasti-dip peeled off on the sharp corners of the lettering and needed to be touched up, was a PITA.

 

Thanks.

 

What's the best way to re apply the emblem? 3M tape?

 

Yep - 3M double sided tape. I have also used trim adhesive, but, the tape is quicker.

 

The tape used from factory is a grey color. Very strong. How do you only put tape on letters so you don't see tape in between letters.

 

I trim the tape before installing it on the back side of the emblem, and, you don't need to cover the entire back side - for example:
TACOMA - the horizontal and vertical sides of the "T" - the vertical sides of the "A's", not the cross piece, the horizontal sides of the "C" etc. They won't fall off and you won't see tape in the letter spaces. The 3M tape I used is 1mm thick and 10 mm width.

 

Thanks. Where ya get the good 3M tape at?

 

E-bay

 

Think this process will work on chrome plastic center caps for my ultra wheels?