Hi all

I am working on a bobber project, and the donor bike had chromed ABS plastic sidecovers. I want them colour-matched to the tank, but my local paint shops said there is no way to remove the chrome that did not leave sanding marks on the plastic, so all they planned to do was scuff the chrome, and they would not guarantee the paint job.

Long story short, I found some folks online who used a mix of basic household hydrogen peroxide and muriatic acid to do this job. I tried it, and I am here to tell you, it works a TREAT! They recommended a mix of five parts peroxide to one part acid. My mix was about half-and-half, because I was too flippin' lazy to run to the store for another six bottles of peroxide. I let it sit about 16 hours - longer than needed, really - and the chrome, nickle and copper layers are completely dissolved, as shown in the photo. No effort, just dip and strip. The ABS is completely untouched. Can't wait to tell the paint guys, who were just a tad condescending :) 

Well, I certainly got b!tch-slapped for my remark about the paint guys. I put the second side cover in the same mix I used for the first one. This time the results were quite different. I don't know if it's a different plastic (I assumed it's ABS like the other, and did not check) or if used mix is different in some way. Anyway, it ate the plastic, and I guess I need to look for a replacement... preferably painted, not chromed. (2008 Custom, if you have anything)