Max Capacity Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 I like the step, it adds definition to the piece. That's a great tip about the bleach. Over the weekend one of the car shows, talked about using brake fluid to remove paint off of plastic. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NismoTigerWVU Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 I like the step, it adds definition to the piece. That's a great tip about the bleach. Over the weekend one of the car shows, talked about using brake fluid to remove paint off of plastic. Oh look, an opportunity to put that (pending) PhD to work. It all breaks down to "like dissolves like". Car paint isn't water soluble (for good reason, we'd rather it didn't wash away) because it' nonpolar. To dissolve it, you need to use a more nonpolar solvent like acetone or ethyl acetate. Now bleach is a whole different ballgame and is acting as a powerful oxidizing agent, which scares me a little more with plastic as it likes to release chlorine gas, which is "no bueno" for anyone involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalgaryChris Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 HOT KNIFE. :forheadsmack: :grumble: :banging head into wall: So much easier than dremel. How can I be so stupid? Well done OP. Lesson learned. Just did my grill as well as OP last week (no pics on computer yet but looks about identical). Read hot knife and flipped out too! Could have easily saved 2 hours with the Dremel! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIgorS Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 Great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nospmoht04 Posted April 18, 2012 Author Share Posted April 18, 2012 Heat is an awesome tool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nospmoht04 Posted April 18, 2012 Author Share Posted April 18, 2012 Oh look, an opportunity to put that (pending) PhD to work. It all breaks down to "like dissolves like". Car paint isn't water soluble (for good reason, we'd rather it didn't wash away) because it' nonpolar. To dissolve it, you need to use a more nonpolar solvent like acetone or ethyl acetate. Now bleach is a whole different ballgame and is acting as a powerful oxidizing agent, which scares me a little more with plastic as it likes to release chlorine gas, which is "no bueno" for anyone involved. So how much would you suggest that I dilute the bleach bucket before soaking a grill? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucas569 Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 damn that look nice, wish i had the time to do mine. where did u get the mesh? didn't see anyone ask that but maybe i missed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nospmoht04 Posted April 19, 2012 Author Share Posted April 19, 2012 Good ol' Home Depot. I'll do yours for a price and if you can live without the grill for a bit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atchipmunk Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Hm yeah I thought of doing the same exact thing with bondo to remove the step but I didn't get into it. I used the same method with the tape but I used a 2 part material instead of the fiberglass. Different methods similar results, good times! Better than paying $300 eh? Definitely. Oh look, an opportunity to put that (pending) PhD to work. It all breaks down to "like dissolves like". Car paint isn't water soluble (for good reason, we'd rather it didn't wash away) because it' nonpolar. To dissolve it, you need to use a more nonpolar solvent like acetone or ethyl acetate. Now bleach is a whole different ballgame and is acting as a powerful oxidizing agent, which scares me a little more with plastic as it likes to release chlorine gas, which is "no bueno" for anyone involved. Yes...the bleach method definitely emits some dangerous fumes when it's doing it's thing and should be done in a VERY well ventilated area. A more ideal way of removing the chrome plating would probably be to use something like an acid, but acids are much harder to come by for the average joe. So how much would you suggest that I dilute the bleach bucket before soaking a grill? When I do it, (and I've used the bleach method to remove chrome from plastic for all kinds of projects for the past 12-13 years), I usually find a container big enough to completely submerge the part in. Then I pour in the bleach full-strength so it's submerged and let it sit overnight. In the morning, I'll replace the bleach with fresh bleach and repeat until all (or most) of the chrome and underlying nickel and copper plating is gone. Whatever is left gets sanded clean to bare plastic. It takes some time, and a lot of bleach depending on the size of the part, but works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucas569 Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Good ol' Home Depot. I'll do yours for a price and if you can live without the grill for a bit i know you stated you can do it in your spare time but what kind of turnaround would you guesstimate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nospmoht04 Posted April 19, 2012 Author Share Posted April 19, 2012 Well I work 2nd shift and don't go in till 3pm. I wake up so early I've got all day to do it most days. I'm sure I could have it done in a week. Maybe even less. Mine took about two and I didn't touch it for a week at one point. Plus now I'll be a bit quicker and better at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nospmoht04 Posted April 19, 2012 Author Share Posted April 19, 2012 When I do it, (and I've used the bleach method to remove chrome from plastic for all kinds of projects for the past 12-13 years), I usually find a container big enough to completely submerge the part in. Then I pour in the bleach full-strength so it's submerged and let it sit overnight. In the morning, I'll replace the bleach with fresh bleach and repeat until all (or most) of the chrome and underlying nickel and copper plating is gone. Whatever is left gets sanded clean to bare plastic. It takes some time, and a lot of bleach depending on the size of the part, but works. No worries of the bleach deteriorating the plastic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nospmoht04 Posted April 19, 2012 Author Share Posted April 19, 2012 Could just keep an eye on it I suppose, and to be safe take it out early and scrub the chrome off and wash it clean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atchipmunk Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 No worries of the bleach deteriorating the plastic? I've never had an issue with it deteriorating the plastic. The metal reacts with the bleach and as it goes along, the bleach becomes "used up" and becomes pretty inert. That's why you have to keep replenishing the bleach. It's only the chrome and metal that seems to react to the bleach. The plastic seems unaffected... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exbagboy Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Great job but the hot knife did not work so great for me. I melted too much of the frame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shades Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Looks Good! You gotta push your limits to learn your limits:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nospmoht04 Posted April 19, 2012 Author Share Posted April 19, 2012 Great job but the hot knife did not work so great for me. I melted too much of the frame. You can always just file down blemishes and restore it to where you need it with bondo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 I went to pick that other grill I PM'ed about, I'll have to go back on Monday. Seems he forgot it at home today. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nospmoht04 Posted April 20, 2012 Author Share Posted April 20, 2012 Ah that sucks. Well, I'm ready when you're good to go. Looks like I'll make another one after yours with the extra one and sell it on here. Maybe I'll mention it when I'm almost done and I can paint it how someone wants it if they wanna buy it. Was thinking about adding a non glossy clear coat for better protection. Don't know though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstorr Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 Quick q.. what kind of epoxy did you use? Like jb plastic epoxy? then bondo/sand over and over? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biker921 Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 Looks killer man! Not sure if I have the patience to work on a grill for so long though. Great inexpressive mod! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanyb505 Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Quick q.. what kind of epoxy did you use? Like jb plastic epoxy? then bondo/sand over and over? That's what I did. Jb weld the patches in, sand, bondo, sand, bondo, rinse and repeat as necessary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chato Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 thanks for posting the how-to. worked like a charm. really happy with how it turned out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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