Register now to get rid of these ads!

Technical Sanding chrome off, not grinding.

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Budget36, Apr 20, 2023.

  1. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,174

    Budget36
    Member

    I’ve a chromed tube axle I need to weld spring pads on. I’d like to use my belt sander with some type of metal oxide paper to grind the chrome off where I’m going to weld and keep a nice line and not dig into the tube.
    Suggestions on a grit/type of paper to seek?
    Thanks
     
  2. pigIRON63
    Joined: Nov 25, 2019
    Posts: 825

    pigIRON63
    Member

    80-120 should do the trick. I'd start with 120 and see how that works.
     
    Budget36 likes this.
  3. rockable
    Joined: Dec 21, 2009
    Posts: 4,429

    rockable
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Look into 3M's Cubitron abrasives. I think you will need it with chrome.
     
    Budget36 likes this.
  4. shorrock
    Joined: Oct 23, 2020
    Posts: 137

    shorrock

    Be aware that chrome particles are causing cancer if inhaled.
     
    Budget36 and dirt t like this.

  5. Fitty Toomuch
    Joined: Jun 29, 2010
    Posts: 328

    Fitty Toomuch
    Member
    from WVa

    Chrome is super tough, good luck trying to get it off with sand paper.
    Maybe a carbide burr and die grinder.
     
    borntoloze and Budget36 like this.
  6. 1971BB427
    Joined: Mar 6, 2010
    Posts: 8,719

    1971BB427
    Member
    from Oregon

    Last chrome tube axle I welded brackets on I used my small grinder and Roloc 2" discs on. I used a 80 grit disc, and it worked great. Marked the chrome tube with a black felt marker, and ground it following the black lines. Once the brackets were tig welded on I masked off the chrome that was still in good shape, and sprayed the welds, and new brackets with chrome paint. The axle and brackets still look great, and the chrome paint looks like a polished aluminum finish.
     
    Budget36, Tim, olscrounger and 4 others like this.
  7. ^^^ This.... This will give you the best control over where/how much you do...
     
    Budget36 likes this.
  8. woodiewagon46
    Joined: Mar 14, 2013
    Posts: 2,269

    woodiewagon46
    Member
    from New York

    As shorrock points out chromium dust is a carcinogenic, wear a respirator and do it outside.
     
    Budget36 likes this.
  9. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 30,778

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    Are you going to get the axle rechromed? If so take it to the platers and have the plating stripped
     
    Fogger, Budget36 and lippy like this.
  10. 37gas
    Joined: May 25, 2013
    Posts: 143

    37gas
    Member

    Send it to your chrome shop and have them strip it for you that way if your going to re chrome it they don't have to fix your grinder marks
     
    Budget36 likes this.
  11. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,174

    Budget36
    Member

    I hadn’t planned on rechroming it. It and the backing plates are an older chrome.
    Thanks
     
  12. NoelC
    Joined: Mar 21, 2018
    Posts: 668

    NoelC
    Member

    Always the guy who likes to disagree, I'm thinking why bother. Not that I'm speaking with application specific experience, but I have welded to a chrome bumper. Align and weld it. If you think it won't dillute your wrong, it will. The weld will be be a little shiny, maybe a tad harder, so what. Chrome melts around 1900F, carbon steel around 2400F to 2800F depending on carbon and alloys. More a chance to fail in failing to properly set the welding machine up and welding it. Was that GTAW or GMAW you were planning to use?

    As for the dust from grinding, it's not a line of coke your snorting. Not like your going to develope a bad habit from it either. But the fumes in my opinion are easier to deal with then the dust.
    Common sense tells you most of what you need to know. Dust mask, don't breath the dust and keep it off the sandwich or the coffee cup. Or...minimize and just weld it. It'll filter out and be gone with a breeze.

    One last thing...I understand the question was how best to remove the chrome as removing it is best practice and policy. Regarding removel, smaller particulate is more a hazard problem then coarse chunks. I'd tape off what you don't want removed with duct tape in layers to act as a guide/wall/curb and use the edge of a zip disc to wash it out and away. Carefully, as it will want to walk. But it will remove material quite quickly and with less of a dust being created.
     
    overspray, ken1949car and Budget36 like this.
  13. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,174

    Budget36
    Member

    For location that it will be in, I’ll tack with Mig, pull it out and Tig it for a cleaner look.
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.