Removing chrome from a brake disc

rvich · Sep 20, 2013

It's kinda hard to believe with all the rust on everything else, but my 850 project has a disc with completely intact chrome. I put the disc on a lathe with a carbide bit and tried to peel it off. All I did was create a bunch of heat. I can't get the bit to bite into the chrome at all. Lathing tips are welcomed.

So I have been thinking about buying a diamond grinding wheel for my angle grinder. They come in lots of forms and prices. I am wondering if anyone has experience or recommendations on this. Here is one site I have been looking at: http://www.diamondtoolstore.com/store/? ... ex&cPath=2

I am also willing to try other methods of removing the chrome, including sending my disc to Gary at DBR and letting him do it for me!

I guess I could use the disc like it is, but I prefer making an attempt at stopping. Or of course I could just buy another disc that has the chrome worn off it!

Russ

acotrel · Sep 20, 2013

The usual method of removing chrome from steel is to reverse plate it in caustic soda solution.

daveparry · Sep 20, 2013

I don't think you would ever get it flat enough with an angle grinder Russ!

tridentperu · Sep 20, 2013

You are not alone! I took a trident disc into my friendly machinist last week and he said the same thing - he couldn't get under the chrome. The tool just kept jumping off as soon as he touched the chrome. It was pretty thick too apparently. I ended up buying a new disc, it was easier and probably cheaper too.

It is all a bit weird, as many moons ago I had a pair of identical chromed trident discs skimmed, and never heard of any problems from the guy who did it for me.

rvich · Sep 20, 2013

It is my understanding that reverse plating gives off some nasty stuff so I haven't really researched it. I could of course contact a chrome shop.

As for the angle grinder, I think I could figure out a way to secure the grinder to the carriage on the lathe and feed it into the spinning disc. This would be my best shot at keeping the surface uniform I think. I just hate to spend the money on the diamond wheel and discover it doesn't work!

Russ

rvich · Sep 20, 2013

Or there is always this solution:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NORTON-DISC-BRA ... 76&vxp=mtr

Rohan · Sep 20, 2013

Battery acid will usually strip off chrome pretty smartly - as anyone who has split any on their nice shiny mufflers will know.
Less chance of hydrogen embrittlement than from the electrolysis too (we know Aco has a bee in his bonnet about that one).
So he should, brittle iron disks is not a good possible scenario...

If there is a coat of nickel under the chrome it (the nickel) will remain however.
Although your lathe tooling would probably get through that.

comnoz · Sep 20, 2013

Bring it to Pueblo when your coming this way. I have an attachment for my lathe that will take it right off. Jim

Torontonian · Sep 20, 2013

Just drive around alot until one day it will be worn off and then you can start thinking about brown rust.

texasSlick · Sep 21, 2013

+1 on reverse plating......my preferred method

+ 1 on battery acid.......works but not environmentally friendly

Blanchard grinding (or precision surface grinding) is machining method of choice. Chrome is hard stuff!

YING · Sep 21, 2013

Gary at DBR just did mine.Very nice guy to deal with.
YING

phillyskip · Sep 21, 2013

Give it to a plating shop, they have tanks to dip your disc in and remove the chrome.....Skip

Guido · Sep 21, 2013

I just bought a die grinder with 40 grit sanding discs yesterday to do what you are wanting to do. I'll chuck it (disc) in my lathe today and give it a spin and see how it works.

speirmoor · Sep 24, 2013

YING said:
Gary at DBR just did mine.Very nice guy to deal with.
YING

I got the full treatment one from Gary also. There is a profound difference in weight and my front brake squeak disappeared

stockie2 · Sep 25, 2013

I have the original chrome on, I up rated my master cylinder to 1/2" and the brakes are great.

Cheers Richard

P.S. brakes squeal though!

lrutt · Sep 25, 2013

I wore through my Chrome and once down to copper the stock brakes work very well.

Cariboo_kid · Sep 26, 2013

This might be an option. http://www.oldbritts.com/14_061885.html
I had them Blanchard grind my Triumph disks a while back and they did an excellent job. They no longer are able to offer this service but they do have an exchange programme.

swooshdave · Sep 26, 2013

Cariboo_kid said:
This might be an option. http://www.oldbritts.com/14_061885.html
I had them Blanchard grind my Triumph disks a while back and they did an excellent job. They no longer are able to offer this service but they do have an exchange programme.

Much easier to go with DBR.

Stephen Hill · Sep 28, 2013

Speirmoor, what size are the larger holes? I am planning on drilling mine and wonder how much material to remove in that area. Where you have slots, I plan on drilling a radial pattern of smaller holes.
Stephen Hill

Hobot · Sep 28, 2013

Factory disc weighs ~6 lb, Heinz's ~4.5 lb which can be felt.

Removing chrome from a brake disc

rvich

acotrel

daveparry

tridentperu

rvich

rvich

Rohan

comnoz

Torontonian

texasSlick

YING

Pittsboro,NC

phillyskip

Guido

speirmoor

stockie2

lrutt

Cariboo_kid

swooshdave

Stephen Hill

Hobot

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