Accidentally let a plastic grocery bag touch a warm chromed pipe on my new bike. Googled how to get it off and tried oven cleaner, magic eraser, and brake cleaner as per what I found. None of it worked. Anyone here know how I can get it off without damaging the chrome?
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Getting plastic of chrome pipes
- Thread starter palmpalm
- Start date
Sabex
Well-known member
Something about passangers and putting their foot on your exhast...
At least they didn't let their leg hang down and burn a nice big blister onto their calf.
Warm it up and use a piece of soft wood to scrape off the majority of it (won't scratch the pipe), then clean up the residue with some metal polish when the pipe is cool.
The only way to get it off is with patience and time.
As mentioned, acetone is not bad, or Methyl ethyl ketone, those are the only things that will dissolve the plastic.
Apply one of those, then start with a piece of wood as rob said, popsicle sticks are good, get the bulk off.
Keep wetting it.
You should be able to rub the residue off with dry rags.
Any little stubborn spots, get a brand new razor blade or scalpel type tool, and very gently shave it off.
Be careful, chrome is unforgiving, you can't polish it. Don't use anything abrasive like polishes.
As mentioned, acetone is not bad, or Methyl ethyl ketone, those are the only things that will dissolve the plastic.
Apply one of those, then start with a piece of wood as rob said, popsicle sticks are good, get the bulk off.
Keep wetting it.
You should be able to rub the residue off with dry rags.
Any little stubborn spots, get a brand new razor blade or scalpel type tool, and very gently shave it off.
Be careful, chrome is unforgiving, you can't polish it. Don't use anything abrasive like polishes.
I tried acetone with no luck. I did the soft wood on hot pipe today and got a lot off but now it is all streaky and little pieces on there. Will try other methods soon. Thanks!
I've had success with very, very fine steel wool, the kind you get in the paint department of home depot.
If you rub it very lightly on the metal, you will lift off the remaining residue. However, I only did this on polished exhausts and not chrome. I imagine the chrome is very hard, harder than the steel wool though, so it should be safe.
Agave, you're the expert on chrome here as far as I know, is this safe to do?
If you rub it very lightly on the metal, you will lift off the remaining residue. However, I only did this on polished exhausts and not chrome. I imagine the chrome is very hard, harder than the steel wool though, so it should be safe.
Agave, you're the expert on chrome here as far as I know, is this safe to do?
It is, but you need a surgeons touch.
If you can find .0000 steel wool, its the finest, an SOS pad is not bad, but you need to wash out the blue carp first.
The key to avoid scratching is to add a lube agent. I use straight dishsoap.
I mostly use this method on car windshields, but i have had to do the same to my pipes when the marks were really bad.
Personally, i would stick to the time consuming method of gently scraping it off with a blade if its nice chrome.
but hows a stainless steel razor blade any better than the ultra-fine steel wool?
It's one little point of contact as opposed to a square inch of scratching power.
I only recommend the wool if i know the skill level of the person. It requires a gentle hand.
Most people scratch it because they are impatient.
I have removed rubber from chrome with Lacquer Thinner. Probably works on plastic if you're patient too. Use in a well ventilated area and it's very flammable so dry out rags properly.
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