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Stripping chrome plating from thin aluminum

I have five original hubcaps from a 1939 Plymouth that I am restoring with my father-in-law. The hubcaps are covered with a stamped aluminum decorative cap with a sailing ship emblem in the center. This "cap" is the only part that is seen when installed onto the wheel. This cap is 10 inches in diameter, concaved shaped and only 0.015 inches thick. It has already been removed from the steel hubcap. I believe this cap is aluminum because a magnet will not stick to it. The outside that is seen, is chrome plated. I have also lightly block sanded (with water) through the deteriorated chrome plating in one area to reveal a brass coating underneath. How can I have the old chrome plating removed from this outside surface without damage to the thin aluminum? My goal is to restore these caps to a dent free condition, completely buffed and polished and ready to go to the chrome plater.

Stephen Szabo
hobbyist - El Segundo, California, USA
2004

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2004

Stephen:

As a restorer myself I know what you are dealing with. The part you are talking about is actually brass, it's not plated brass.

There are two ways to go about this.

1.Find a good plater that you can trust to restore the part to the way you want it...(not fun)

2. Do all the prep work yourself (fun!) To do the prep work you have to initially get at least the chrome plating off. This can be done with muriatic acid ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] . Degrease and remove any kind of varnish or paint that may be on the cap prior to soaking. Soak the part until the chrome turns black and wipes off. Experiment with some scrap to get a feel for it. Do this responsibly with safety and dispose of the waste properly. (disclaimer:) DO NOT leave the brass in for more then a minute or you will start to eat away at the exposed base material. Usually the chrome will fizz off within 15 seconds. Sometimes it helps to get the acid warm prior to putting the part in. Rinse well.

From here you can continue to sand and buff the part until it is smooth and looking the way you want it to come back from the plater or, you can take it to the plater and ask them to put at least a hours worth of copper on the part. This will give you more metal to work with. Either way, you will have to work with small tools, sanders, files and buffing wheels to make sure you keep the detail and not obliterate the three ships! It is tedious work if done correctly and you will realize why a good plater charges the prices they do.

Good luck and enjoy the process.....don't rush.

Tom Haltmeyer
- Peoria, Arizona, USA