Removing chrome plating with lye?

G

Greg Gardner

Member
Has anyone done this successfully? Internet search indicates it’s possible to do, but hoping someone here has actually done so and can relate their experience.
 
Using your thread title, I scanned several Google results and was surprised to find many that said it would work. My own experience with cleaning chromed pans with lye says that it doesn't. I noted that some search results were talking about "chrome" on model cars, which is apparently actually aluminum. I could buy that. I would suspect that if lye did remove chrome, it would have to be at a far higher strength than we use for cast iron cleaning, I noted multiple other sources talked about how well it removed chrome specifically on aluminum substrates, seemingly ignorant of the fact that lye (sodium hydroxide) dissolves aluminum, and quite easily at the strength commonly used to clean CI.

  • Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda): Often used for aluminum substrates, sodium hydroxide effectively removes chrome plating without damaging the underlying aluminum. However, caution is required as it is a strong alkali that can cause burns.
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Hmm, that’s utterly bizarre that people were using lye with aluminum. My understanding is the result is a toxic gas. And Craig, that’s been my experience as well. Ok, back to the drawing board!
 
So I found a local powder coating shop that was willing to media blast it with garnet for $50. I know media blasting on cast iron restorations is generally frowned upon (perhaps not to the degree of using a wire brush, but still) but the chemical removal methods were gonna run $400 - $500. Came out amazing and has seasoned up just fine so far after two coats. It's not glassy smooth like other Griswold lids I've re-seasoned but I'm not sure if that's due to the media blasting or if pieces that were designated for chrome plating or enamel coating didn't get the degree of finishing that the bare iron versions did. It's still very smooth compared to a modern Lodge for example, but it had the matte look typical of any media blasted metal. It's gonna be a user in any event and I'm just glad to be able to get a standard seasoning on it instead of the chrome. Will post some before and after photos once it's gone through a couple of more rounds of seasoning.
 
OK, here are the before and after (seasoning) pics. Forgot to take one with the bare iron, post-media blast, Did four rounds of Buzzywax at 500.
 

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Just a quick follow up to note that I used my Griswold #8 dutch oven last night, and noticed that the lid is a similar level of smoothness to the #6 skillet cover. I think I can cosign on media blasting to remove chrome (and probably enamel) on cast iron, as long as a less abrasive media is used.
 
Greg Gardner said:
Just a quick follow up to note that I used my Griswold #8 dutch oven last night, and noticed that the lid is a similar level of smoothness to the #6 skillet cover. I think I can cosign on media blasting to remove chrome (and probably enamel) on cast iron, as long as a less abrasive media is used.
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What specific media did they use?
 
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