Stripping chrome from hair pins

[hairtrigger]

Just rescued a T bucket that was stored in a barn since 1985. All the hair pins were originally chrome that is now flaking or mildly pitted. Any suggestions on stripping the chrome? Not interested in re-chroming them.

 

[hairtrigger]

Picture attached.

 

[Spanky]

Media blasting them is probably your best bet. Know anybody with a blast cabinet? Sometimes furniture refinishers use them.

 

[RodStRace]

You are posting on the internet. It has answers to many questions.

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[hairtrigger]

Thanks. Looks like blasting is my best route. Material is heavy enough that it won't distort. Just a shame it was stored without protecting the surface.

 

[LongJohn]

I would use a DA sander. Start with 80 grit and go up until it's smooth enough my guess would be 220. Paint and drive on!

 

[409T]

I just take parts to the chrome shop and have them do the stripping.

 

[LongJohn]

Yes but you got plenty of money!

 

[Gerry]

I had to polish my headers, so I came up with this. Would work just as well to smooth out yours.
A bit of practice and you can 'steer' it around the bends. Used some soft plastic bar with a few slots in it for the pully.
Gerry

 

[Spanky]

Nice work, Gerry. I used a similar gimmick to polish the crank journals on a Jag 3.8 liter engine I was rebuilding back in the '70's.

 

[hairtrigger]

Will practice on one of the rears with a DA. Also try Gerry's method. No local chrome or refinishing shop - New York is stupid crazy on regulations. Time to move buck south but that's another story. Thanks for the help, Tom