I have a thumb safety for a 1911, .45 ACP Pistol that is either Bright Chrome or Bright Nickel finished on the outside of the part only. The rear of the thumb safety is blue/black.

I would like to remove the Chrome/Nickel finish.

How can I do that?

Thanks - J.Solo

If the finish is nickel, Brownell's sells a cold nickel plating removal solution. If it is chromium, I believe only electrolytic reverse plating will remove it.

If you want to try an amatuer deplating finish, use common household ammonia. It will remove the finish in several minutes or half an hour.

John;

Thanks for the tip on the Ammonia.
I'll give it a try.

J.Solo

With the backside of that thumb safety showing blue, are you sure that the front isn't just highly polished, and NOT plated? That's what they do to them before plating, and when they are plated, they're fully immersed in the electrolyte - tough to do just one side that way. Wash it w/alcohol or acetone and try a little cold blue on it first.

Larry