Sandblasting is one of the easiest and most effective methods of removing chrome from a car surface. Therefore, sandblasting is an excellent removal method if you want to dechrome your bumper.
If you have never used a sandblaster, below, we will educate you on how to do so and provide you with helpful tips on removing chrome from your bumper.
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Reasons to Sandblast Chrome Off a Bumper
Before we get started with how to sandblast chrome off a bumper, we must first identify why car owners would want to engage in such.
Chrome is a popular finish found in many cars. The shiny aspect of chrome enhances the aesthetics of any vehicle.
As good as chrome looks, it will dull after a while. That can be avoided by polishing it regularly. Anyway, if your chrome shows signs of excessive wear, you may be interested in removing it and spraying paint.
That’s where sandblasting comes in. The other reason why a car owner may be interested in sandblasting chrome off a bumper is that they are no longer interested in this type of finish.
The truth is, the chrome trend is gradually fading. These days, car owners aren’t as obsessed with chrome bumpers as they were a while ago.
So, if you have outgrown chrome, sandblasting is ideal for removing the chrome finish from your vehicle.
Irrespective of your reasons, it is advisable to use an effective and convenient method. If your bumper has been electroplated with chrome, it won’t come off quickly.
Chrome is more complicated than most finishes, and it will require an aggressive removal method. Fortunately, sandblasting is quite aggressive, and it can remove even the toughest finishes on a car surface.
Why is Sandblasting the Best Method of Removing Chrome from a Bumper?
If you have done some research, you have probably identified other methods of removing chrome from your bumper. However, most experts would recommend sandblasting. Are you wondering why that is?
When it comes to removing certain finishes, detergents, and elbow grease are usually not enough. Sandblasting is meant for hardcore car restoration projects such as de-chroming a bumper or removing rust from cars.
Sandblasting isn’t only aggressive, but it is gentle to metal. If you are looking to strip chrome without damaging the bumper, sandblasting should be at the top of your choice.
It doesn’t just work on metal bumpers. It can also be used on plastic bumpers.
This technique entails using pressurized air to shoot small pieces of material onto the bumper. Initially, people used sand. Hence the name sandblasting. But these days, you can use beads and other materials.
Sandblasting is just like pressure washing, only pieces of sand replace the water. When sand particles hit your bumper at a higher pressure, they will chip the chrome from the surface.
The friction created when the sand particles hit the chrome is enough to pull it out from the bumper.
Professional vs. DIY Sandblasting of Chrome Bumper
There are two ways to go about the sandblasting method of removing chrome from a bumper. The first is to take your chrome bumper to an expert and have it sandblasted at a cost.
Sandblasting has become so common these days that it’s very affordable. A chrome bumper can be sandblasted for $75 to $150.
This is a procedure that should take an hour or two. It should take longer and cost more when you want it to be painted, powder-coated, or primed.
The other method of sandblasting is the do-it-yourself process. This entails gathering equipment, including a sandblaster, blasting media, and safety equipment.
If you plan on doing a lot of sandblasting, it will make sense for you to invest in a sandblaster. But if this is more of a one-time thing, you can borrow from a friend or hire one.
With these tools at hand, you can blast the chrome from your chrome bumper. If you don’t know how to do that, don’t worry, we are going to guide you.
Between these two methods, the DIY sandblasting of the chrome bumper is more affordable. However, it involves a lot of work.
Sandblasting requires a thorough setup for a working area. You will need to get your hands on tools and equipment. Even though DIY is cheaper, it takes more time and energy.
This option is ideal for people who already own sandblasters or know how they can get or borrow one.
But if you don’t fall in that category, paying for your chrome bumper to be sandblasted is much easier and more convenient.
How to Sandblast Chrome Off a Bumper?
Having confirmed that sandblasting is an effective method of removing chrome off a bumper, here is a step-by-step guide to getting this done.
Step 1 – Gather the Necessary Tools and Materials
This may be the most complicated part for most people because a sandblaster isn’t the kind of tool you will find in every garage. For most people, the most possible option is to rent or borrow a sandblaster.
If your friends and colleagues don’t have a sandblaster, you can always borrow one from a local equipment rental store near you.
Once you have that figured out, the other requirements are pretty simple. For instance, if you buy sandblasting material, you can get it almost anywhere.
The only thing you may have to think about is whether to use sand or glass beads as the sandblasting material.
Step 2 – Set up a Working Area
Sandblasting is often very messy. Therefore, you need to set up a working area. That would be better if you have a backyard because you wouldn’t have to worry about making a mess.
However, if you are sandblasting in your garage, you will need to set up a sandblasting box. A chrome bumper isn’t a very big item.
So, it shouldn’t be hard for you to create a sealed environment. Failure to set up a working area can lead to blasting material being spread all over the site you will be working on.
Step 3 – Put on Safety Gear
Sandblasting is an aggressive procedure, and the blasted particles can hurt you if you are not careful. Therefore, ensure that you put on safety gear. This should include masks, gloves, helmets, and heavy clothing.
Step 4 – Connect the Sandblaster to an Air Compressor and Get to Work
With all the materials needed and a safe working environment, you are ready to sandblast the chrome bumper. If it’s your first time, you should work with low pressure.
Depending on the machine you are using, you can adjust the pressure to be around 90 or 100 psi. That pressure should be strong enough to remove chrome from a bumper without compromising your safety.
Operating a sandblaster at high pressure can be difficult, especially for beginners. Spray the sandblasting material till all the chrome has been removed.
Before sandblasting chrome from a bumper, the surface must be thoroughly cleaned. A wet or sticky surface can come in the way of removing the chrome plating.
Is Sandblasting the Only Method of Removing Chrome from a Bumper?
Sandblasting is one of the ways you can remove chrome from a bumper. But it is not the only way. There are other ways, and if you want an alternative to sandblasting, here are some options worth exploring.
1. Muriatic Acid
This is another name for hydrochloric acid. It is a powerful solvent and can dissolve the chrome on your bumper. Many people don’t use this method because of safety concerns.
As we have said, this acid is very strong. If it makes contact with the skin, the results can be disastrous. Evaluate carefully if this method is worth trying out.
If it is, you will need a considerable amount of muriatic acid, which should be placed in a big container. Ensure that you have safety clothing and equipment. Dip your bumper in the container containing muriatic acid and let it sit.
The container should start bubbling. That signals that the chrome is being absorbed. Please wait for the bubbling to stop before removing your bumper and rinsing it with water.
The muriatic acid and chrome remnant should be disposed of. It’s a good idea to take it to the recycling center.
2. An Ultrasonic Cleaner
We must look at all methods of de-chroming a bumper so that you can understand why sandblasting is the best. The second method of removing chrome from your bumper entails using an ultrasonic cleaner.
This requires you to place the chrome in an ultrasonic cleaner, add a solvent, and let the device do its job.
There isn’t a need to dig deeper into this method because a bumper is relatively big, and finding an ultrasonic cleaner that will fit one will be hard.
3. Reverse Electroplating
This is a very effective method of removing chrome from a bumper. Chrome is attached to metal through electroplating. This method entails reversing this process.
You will need to have an in-depth understanding of chemistry to pull off this method. We don’t recommend reverse electroplating because it is dangerous, and you will have to interact with carcinogenic ingredients such as Hexavalent Chromium.
Out of all these methods, sandblasting is the safest. Even though some, such as reverse electroplating, can be highly effective. It’s best to go with sandblasting.