Removing chrome plating.

[EVILDR235]

I recently bought a URREA 3/4 inch ratchet. In good condition except the shaft and handle has chrome peeling off. I cleaned it good, then i wire wheeled as much chrome off as possible. Any ideas as how to get the rest off ? Chrome plating will give you nasty cuts if you are not careful. I could go the cheap route and wrap it in black tape. I could wrap it with string and coat it with boiled linseed oil. Years ago i had some very large shrink tubing that i used to repair split hammer handles.

EvilDr235

[mikeswrenches]

Here is one method. The problem is that the acid will also attack the steel.  Looks like you would have to go slowly and carefully.

"The quickest way to remove chrome and the copper/ nockel undercoat is dilute sulphuric acid ( as used in lead acid batteries. You can soak with periodic inspection and rinsing or you can speed the process up using elecrolytic action, e.g. connect the item to be stripped up to 12 volt supply and use a piece of lead as the cathode ( similar size to item being stripped) also connected to supply positive. If you have it the wrong way round the lead plate will fizz insted of the item you want to strip ( reverse connection. however the soaking method will work for most decorative plating finshes in a short time. Be careful with acid use long rubber protective gloves [linked by editor to product info at Amazon] and apron [linked by editor to product info at Amazon] and eye protection (goggles [linked by editor to product info at Amazon])."

Wear eye protection and long rubber gloves.  And be very careful

[amecks]

Evil Doc, There's a polishing wheel that will work very well - but I don't know what the product is called.  We used them at work to buff fuel injector parts.  It resembles a grinding wheel in shape and appearance but it is not stone.  Perhaps a hard fabric.  It has some give to the surface but not much.  I use one here to polish the markings off stainless screws.  It is that tough, it remove the raised marks.  Leaves the surface smooth enough that a quick application of a regular soft buffer wheel will give it a mirror finish.
It would definitely do a good job on removing chrome.  I wish I could be more helpful.
Al

[geneg]

I think you may be referring to a deburring wheel.  Work great although they are somewhat expensive.

[amecks]

Deburring wheel - I think that is it - OUCH they are a bit pricey!  But they will do the job.  They come in all sizes so maybe a small one would be affordable?  They last pretty well as long as you don't push sharp edges into them.
Thanks geneg,
 Al

[EVILDR235]

Thank you all for your replies. I am in no hurry to fix the ratchet, so i am still open to ideas. Maybe my daughter will marry the owner of a plating shop.

EvilDr235

[Northwoods]

You might try a light brass wire wheel followed by coarse steel wool followed by a rub-down with a wad of aluminum foil.
Can't hurt.