The Ford Barn

ltdann · 06-29-2012, 02:40 PM

Hi!

I have a 29 CCPU (engine and frame A2344243) and am getting ready to work on the headlights. The set I have are chromed, but have a fair amount of rust and chipped chrome. Since i want to paint them black anyway (commercial vehicle), what do you suggest I do to remove the remaining chrome and prep them to take paint?

Rich in O'Fallon

awander · 06-29-2012, 03:00 PM

removing chrome is difficult-I would just sandblast them, and paint them.

MikeK · 06-29-2012, 06:02 PM

Removing chrome is a piece of cake. Dunk them in a plastic bucket full of muriatic (hydrochloric, HCl) acid. About 20 seconds will put all the peeling chrome into solution as a salt, leaving the underlying Nickel intact. Rinse, rinse, rinse, dunk in a bucket of water with 1/2 lb baking soda, rinse again. Now paintable after suitable surface prep. Extreme caution, protection, outdoor ventilation needed with the acid.

Ice man · 06-29-2012, 06:10 PM

If they are chrome, some ting wrong. 28-29 head lamps were ether nickle or painted. Painted for Commercial. 30-31 were Allegheny White Metal (S/S) Henry was not a chrome guy back then. Iceman

700rpm · 06-29-2012, 06:53 PM

If they're plated, you can take them to a plater and have them stripped. It costs about $50 here in Portland.

FL&WVMIKE · 06-29-2012, 09:43 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeK

Removing chrome is a piece of cake. Dunk them in a plastic bucket full of muriatic (hydrochloric, HCl) acid. About 20 seconds will put all the peeling chrome into solution as a salt, leaving the underlying Nickel intact. Rinse, rinse, rinse, dunk in a bucket of water with 1/2 lb baking soda, rinse again. Now paintable after suitable surface prep. Extreme caution, protection, outdoor ventilation needed with the acid.

You don't want to forget goggles. A little accidental splash, in your face, can do a lot of damage. Of course, wear rubber gloves.
MIKE

Tom Wesenberg · 06-30-2012, 08:59 AM

I blasted my 28-9 buckets with Black Beauty media to remove the nickel plating. It takes quite a while to remove all the plating.

peters180a/170b · 06-30-2012, 09:16 AM

I would do what 700RPM said...done right and fast. Others would be too much prep on you time and money . Cheap at $50.00 ..you might or will find a cheaper place which is a plus.

06-29-2012, 02:40 PM	#1
ltdann Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Weldon Spring, MO Posts: 63	29 CCPU Headlight Buckets - Chrome to Black Hi! I have a 29 CCPU (engine and frame A2344243) and am getting ready to work on the headlights. The set I have are chromed, but have a fair amount of rust and chipped chrome. Since i want to paint them black anyway (commercial vehicle), what do you suggest I do to remove the remaining chrome and prep them to take paint? Rich in O'Fallon

06-29-2012, 03:00 PM	#2
awander Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 64	Re: 29 CCPU Headlight Buckets - Chrome to Black removing chrome is difficult-I would just sandblast them, and paint them.

06-29-2012, 06:02 PM	#3
MikeK Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Windy City Posts: 2,919	Re: 29 CCPU Headlight Buckets - Chrome to Black Removing chrome is a piece of cake. Dunk them in a plastic bucket full of muriatic (hydrochloric, HCl) acid. About 20 seconds will put all the peeling chrome into solution as a salt, leaving the underlying Nickel intact. Rinse, rinse, rinse, dunk in a bucket of water with 1/2 lb baking soda, rinse again. Now paintable after suitable surface prep. Extreme caution, protection, outdoor ventilation needed with the acid.

06-29-2012, 06:10 PM	#4
Ice man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Southern Pines, N.Carolina Posts: 210	Re: 29 CCPU Headlight Buckets - Chrome to Black If they are chrome, some ting wrong. 28-29 head lamps were ether nickle or painted. Painted for Commercial. 30-31 were Allegheny White Metal (S/S) Henry was not a chrome guy back then. Iceman

06-29-2012, 06:53 PM	#5
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,906	Re: 29 CCPU Headlight Buckets - Chrome to Black If they're plated, you can take them to a plater and have them stripped. It costs about $50 here in Portland. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

06-30-2012, 08:59 AM	#7
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: 29 CCPU Headlight Buckets - Chrome to Black I blasted my 28-9 buckets with Black Beauty media to remove the nickel plating. It takes quite a while to remove all the plating.

06-30-2012, 09:16 AM	#8
peters180a/170b Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Putnam Valley N.Y. Posts: 2,151	Re: 29 CCPU Headlight Buckets - Chrome to Black I would do what 700RPM said...done right and fast. Others would be too much prep on you time and money . Cheap at $50.00 ..you might or will find a cheaper place which is a plus.