Removing Black Chrome Paint
12-26-21, 12:05 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Removing Black Chrome Paint
So I picked up this 1987 Schwinn High Sierra frankenbike ride. Yes, there are many things wrong here. My question though is the frame under the smoke paint all chrome? Since it is already flaking, can I just use paint remover to remove the rest of the paint? I heard it was applied with some kind of special process. Might be nice to have an all chrome frame.
Thank you.
Thank you.
12-27-21, 09:26 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 18,056
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4195 Post(s)
Liked 3,837 Times
in
2,295 Posts
Sure looks to be chrome under a smoke clear. But "black chrome" can mean different things to different companies. In a bike's spec list any terms should be looked at as being for the selling of a bike and not an engineer's description.
The usual way to figure out if a finish can be removed with a method is to try the method in an out of the way spot and see what happens. I suspect that you do have a clear paint over the chrome, but I can't say for sure. This was a method that some brands used a couple of decades+ ago. Andy
The usual way to figure out if a finish can be removed with a method is to try the method in an out of the way spot and see what happens. I suspect that you do have a clear paint over the chrome, but I can't say for sure. This was a method that some brands used a couple of decades+ ago. Andy
__________________
AndrewRStewart
AndrewRStewart
05-23-23, 09:11 PM
#3
Newbie
Raised from the deceased: How did this go?
So I picked up this 1987 Schwinn High Sierra frankenbike ride. Yes, there are many things wrong here. My question though is the frame under the smoke paint all chrome? Since it is already flaking, can I just use paint remover to remove the rest of the paint? I heard it was applied with some kind of special process. Might be nice to have an all chrome frame.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Cheers,
05-24-23, 06:29 AM
#4
Generally bewildered
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Eastern PA, USA
Posts: 3,037
Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 6.9, 1999 LeMond Zurich, 1978 Schwinn Superior
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1152 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
251 Posts
Paint remover shouldn't affect good chrome. But you could do a trial patch somewhere not obvious to ensure that this is true.
A true quality chrome frame is polished like heck, then plated with copper, then nickel, then chrome. If any of those steps are skipped the chrome will not be durable. I might find the patch that looks worst on your bike and use paint stripper on that patch and see if it reveals chrome. If it reveals rust and bare metal , I'd strip the bike, sand and polish any rusty or corroded spots, and then would prime, paint, and seal coat. If you want a nice paint job. Or, you could just ride it.
The only special process I know of is powdercoating, but I haven't heard that one can use that for shiny "chrome-like" finishes.
A true quality chrome frame is polished like heck, then plated with copper, then nickel, then chrome. If any of those steps are skipped the chrome will not be durable. I might find the patch that looks worst on your bike and use paint stripper on that patch and see if it reveals chrome. If it reveals rust and bare metal , I'd strip the bike, sand and polish any rusty or corroded spots, and then would prime, paint, and seal coat. If you want a nice paint job. Or, you could just ride it.
The only special process I know of is powdercoating, but I haven't heard that one can use that for shiny "chrome-like" finishes.
05-24-23, 11:14 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,671
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5767 Post(s)
Liked 2,541 Times
in
1,407 Posts
BITD some companies used a finish, sometimes called acrylichrome. These were transparent acrylic paint over polished chrome, and produced effects like bright copper, emerald, sapphire or black chrome like yours.
Unfortunately, the paint was delicate and prone to scratching or peeling owing to poor adhesion. Typically it was easy to strip with acetone on a rag without damaging the plating.
Unfortunately, the paint was delicate and prone to scratching or peeling owing to poor adhesion. Typically it was easy to strip with acetone on a rag without damaging the plating.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
Likes For FBinNY:
05-25-23, 05:50 AM
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Hello. It turned out great. I'll take a photo later. Looks just like a regular chrome finish.
