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How to Remove Chrome Plating From Aluminum Rims

During the plating process, the surface of an expensive metal, such as chrome, is transferred onto the surface of an inexpensive metal, such as aluminum, through electrolysis. This is often done to refurbish old metal tools, enhance the metal's luster or give a metal object a new look. Plating is also preferred because it is cheaper than purchasing an object composed of the more expensive metal. The process is meant to be permanent, but there are ways to remove an object's metal plating to reveal the original metal surface.

Instructions

- 1
  Rent or purchase an ultrasonic cleaner from an online merchant or your local industrial tools retailer. Purchase prices range from $300 to $3,000, based on the size of the cleaner; rental prices vary based on location and individual venders. The ultrasonic cleaner should be large enough to accommodate each individual rim. You will also need to buy a de-greaser formulated for aluminum and designed to remove oxides such as chrome.
- 2
  Pour enough cleaning solution into the ultrasonic tank to fill 2/3 of the reservoir. Plug in the ultrasonic cleaner.
- 3
  Put the aluminum rim inside the basket that comes with the cleaner and submerge the basket into the solution.
- 4
  Enter the required cleaning temperature and duration of cleaning using the control panel of the cleaner. These settings vary depending on the manufacturer of the cleaning solution, so be sure to review the instructions that come with the solution prior to using the cleaner.
- 5
  Remove the rim from the basket and thoroughly rinse it out to remove any residue from the cleaning solution. Visually inspect the surface of the rim to ensure that the chrome has dissipated. If some remnants of chrome remain, you may repeat the ultrasonic cleaning process.

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