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Chrome is often applied over pieces of metal to give them a shiny appearance. There may, however, be a circumstance in which you don't want your chrome to be polished. To achieve a dull look for your chrome, you can use a scouring pad or you can submerge the chrome in a solution of muriatic acid. If you follow the correct steps and use the right materials, dulling your chrome is easy to do.
Steps
Using a Scouring Pad
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1
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2Press the pad against the chrome and scrape it in one direction. Place the chrome onto a flat surface and use a moderate amount of force as you scrape the surface of the chrome. As you move the scouring pad over the finish, the shiny chrome should start to dull.[3]Advertisement
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3Continue wiping the chrome with the pad. Continue going over the chrome with your scouring pad in one direction until the chrome has dulled. Keep wiping down the chrome with the pad until it reaches the patina that you desire. If you want to shine your chrome again, you can use a chrome cleaner and polish to return it to its original luster.[4]
Using Muriatic Acid
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1Wear the proper protective gear. Make sure that when you work with acid the room is well-ventilated so that you don't get sick from the fumes. Also, you'll want to wear a pair of rubber gloves, a face mask, and eye protection. Muriatic acid is highly dangerous and could cause serious medical problems if you get it on your skin or inhale it.[5]
- If you get the acid on your skin or eyes, flush it with water for at least 15 minutes before seeking professional medical attention.
- If you inhale the acid, go outside to get fresh air before seeking medical help.
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2Separate the chrome from other materials. This method is perfect for smaller chrome items but could damage other materials if they come in contact with the acid. If you can, make sure to detach the chrome from any plastic or any other materials that it's attached to before moving to the next step.
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3Fill a glass or plastic container with muriatic acid. You can purchase muriatic acid at most hardware and pool stores or online. Once you get the acid, carefully pour it into a plastic or glass container so that it's high enough to completely submerge your chrome.[6] If you are using the acid to dull chrome rims, make sure to dilute it in a solution of 10 parts water to 1 part acid to prevent damaging your car's paint.[7]
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4Leave the chrome in the acid for 30 minutes. Let the chrome sit in the acid for up to 30 minutes. During this time, you should see the chrome finish begin to dissolve off of the metal. Once it has sat in the acid, you can remove it with your hands as long as you're wearing rubber gloves.[8]
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5Wipe down the chrome. When you remove the chrome from the acid, it will have a film over it. While still wearing your gloves, use another pair of gloves like a rag to rub down the film. Do not use cotton to wipe down your chrome or the acid may destroy it.[9]
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6Rinse the chrome with cold water. Place your chrome under your faucet and rinse it under cold water, until all of the acid has been completely removed. Dry down the wet piece of chrome with a rag once you're done rinsing. The chrome piece should now be duller.[10]
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7Repeat the steps to dull your chrome further. Once you completely rinse and dry down your chrome, it may still not be as dull as you want it to be. To remove the remaining shine, submerge your chrome back into the acid for another 30 minutes to an hour before rinsing and drying it off.[11]
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8Neutralize the acid before disposing of it. Do not dispose of your acid by putting it down the drain because it can cause damage to your piping. To neutralize the acid, pour a one-pound (453.59 g) box of sodium bicarbonate and an equal proportion of cold water until the acid stops fizzing. Once the acid stops fizzing, you can pour it down the sink.
- Pour the water into the acid slowly to prevent splashback.
Things You'll Need
- Scouring pad
- Face mask
- Rubber gloves
- Eye protection
- Glass or plastic container
- Muriatic or Hydrochloric acid
- Water
References
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfFiLQnz1eU
- ↑ http://www.improvisedlife.com/2013/09/19/contour-sanding-sponges-for-dulling-too-shiny-metal/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPktNFymQK4
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPktNFymQK4
- ↑ https://www.msdsonline.com/blog/health-safety/2014/09/10/hydrochloric-acid-hazards-safety-tips
- ↑ https://water.usgs.gov/admin/memo/policy/wrdpolicy94.006.html
- ↑ http://itstillruns.com/use-muriatic-acid-clean-wheels-7617081.html
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy03MmaI0L8
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy03MmaI0L8
About This Article
To make shiny chrome surfaces dull, scrape the chrome with a scouring pad or some very fine sandpaper. Continue scraping until the chrome is as dull as you like. For smaller chrome items that can be detached, try submerging them in a solution of muriatic acid. After soaking for 30 minutes, remove them from the solution and rub off the acid residue. Then, wash off any remaining residue by rinsing the items under cold running water. Make sure to wear plastic gloves during the entire process to protect your hands from acid burns. For more advice, including how to neutralize muriatic acid for safe disposal, keep reading.
