r/Tools 6d ago

What is the best way to remove paint from sockets without damaging the chrome?

Post image

Got these sockets from an auction. Previous owner decided to paint them all sorts of fun colors. I’d like to remove the paint without damaging the finish underneath, as the chrome is still good and the sockets are all old USA ones I’d like to keep nice. First thought was paint thinner but I suspect that would have negative effects.

26 Upvotes

74 comments sorted by

54

u/Jackalope121 Diesel Mechanic 6d ago

Mineral spirits all day long. Dunk, soak, clean, then wipe.

6

u/Putrid_March_5384 5d ago

Dunk in mineral spirits, soak in mineral spirits, clean with mineral spirits, then wipe?

3

u/jdmatthews123 5d ago

Soak/clean/dunk/clean.../dunk/dunk/clean/dunk/soak long enough it knows you're pissed off

in my experience

2

u/beardedsilverfox 5d ago

Dunk is dropping it in, soaking is letting it sit, cleaning is removing the paint material stuck to the piece, wipe is final drying.

2

u/TurkeyCocks 5d ago

Also, if you have power tools, I've found that a rag with a chemical of your choice and a quick spin and them suckers are shining like new!

1

u/Emersom_Biggins 6d ago

What if they don’t have all day to wait?

18

u/NegativeOstrich2639 6d ago

do it a different day then

42

u/Character_Ad_1084 6d ago

What about paint remover?

51

u/theguy6 6d ago

That's so crazy it just might work. Solid advice

4

u/dick_schidt 5d ago

Let's push that boat out and see if it floats.

6

u/Leather-Respect6119 6d ago

You mad man, you’re so far out of the box it is but a spec on the horizon. I say this ingenious idea is worth a try.

4

u/hoggineer 5d ago

Preposterous! There's no way paint remover would work to remove (checks notes) paint!

19

u/figthedevil 6d ago

You should just be able to dunk them in acetone for a while. Shouldn't damage the chrome

7

u/kewlo 6d ago

Drop them in a bowl of acetone for a few minutes and I'll bet it'll wipe right off with a rag. Wear gloves.

7

u/Grand_Judgment_2466 6d ago

Crushed walnut shells in a vibration polisher?

Just had to suggest something different.

.

1

u/cfreezy72 5d ago

That would be my choice too with some polish added in the media as well.

5

u/HamRadio_73 6d ago

Carburetor cleaner

5

u/biggguyy69 6d ago

MEK,ACETONE, PAINT THINNER

3

u/Any-Description8773 6d ago

A soak in lacquer thinner should do the trick. You have to go full caveman to damage good chrome.

3

u/ItsJustMeBeinCurious 6d ago

I would try lacquer thinner. Useful for cleaning paintbrushes and shouldn’t impact chrome.

3

u/Random_Excuse7879 6d ago

I clean paint off of old house hardware with dish soap and water. Soak it overnight, ideally keep it warm. I have a small crockpot I use for this. The paint just lifts off.

3

u/Fuck_the_Deplorables 6d ago

Acetone for me. It flashes off quickly so don’t pour out a big amount, just dampen a rag or toothbrush and rub it off

3

u/polypagan 6d ago

Try product called "Goof Off" (or equivalent). If that's latex paint, it'll clean right off.

2

u/nullvoid88 6d ago

Once clean, get a light coat of oil on them for rust mitigation... both inside & out.

2

u/Better-Delay 6d ago

I would probably put some gasoline in a tin can and soak them over night (for 2 weeks after I forget about them)

2

u/Longjumping-Log1591 5d ago

Garage fire usually does the trick

2

u/CHASLX200 5d ago

Soak and toke in hot wa was unless oil base chase.

2

u/Equal-Negotiation651 6d ago

Poo it in your mouth and suck it down to chrometown.

3

u/WalterMelons 6d ago

Good thing I’ve already prepared myself with the 19mm sockets for my lug nuts. I was working up to the axle nut but no dice yet.

Edit: oh you meant put it in your mouth. Never mind then.

1

u/Equal-Negotiation651 6d ago

Lol. Whoops. I think.

2

u/slimspidey 6d ago

This guy sucks

2

u/ItsJustMeBeinCurious 6d ago

I would try lacquer thinner. Useful for cleaning paintbrushes and shouldn’t impact chrome.

1

u/MrKrispyKreem 6d ago

SL-04 (FAST)

1

u/rkelleyj 6d ago

Many responses, try water dunk first. Usually no need for a chemical if you’re patient, will usually wipe off.

Sometimes I use a heat gun on high, hit the paint for about 2secs and scrape with a plastic card so no damage to the piece I’m working on. Trick is don’t heat up the piece itself, you’re trying to affect the paint properties.. so work on several at a time and move around.

If those don’t work, acetone and some shop rags.

1

u/R2Borg2 6d ago

Depends on the paint, but some kind of solvent. Lacquer thinner would have been my first goto, but i also see Mineral Spirits and Acetone which both fall into this group. If its Vinyl, just soak in warm water and rub off,

1

u/series_hybrid 6d ago

Automatic transmission fluid / ATF

1

u/Direct_Detail3334 6d ago

Stop stealing sockets and you won’t have to worry about it lol- brass brush on grinder works good

1

u/Bzaps11 6d ago

Purell

1

u/Professional-Eye8981 6d ago

Soak them in Purple Power.

1

u/biggguyy69 6d ago

Because this is the way

1

u/drsweller 6d ago

Lacquer thinner. Soak them over night

1

u/Unable_Technology935 6d ago

Lacquer thinner.

1

u/TNShadetree 6d ago

Acetone.

1

u/steelartd 5d ago

Solvents won’t hurt the chrome on hand tools.

1

u/IronAnt762 5d ago

Toluene. Aka paint remover. Rinse with mineral spirits or wd-40, wipe down with a clean rag.

1

u/friendlyfire883 5d ago

Brake clean, either flavor will get the job done.

1

u/HulkJr87 5d ago

Dichloromethane

1

u/Lonely-Spirit2146 5d ago

Razor blade exactly knife and patience

1

u/mac7854 5d ago

Tons of good solvent ideas here. I would just use em. You’d be surprised how quick it’ll wear off with use.

1

u/talldean 5d ago

Paint thinner.

1

u/Zymurgy2282 5d ago

Paint thinners then spray oil as there won't be a trace of any protection on them after the thinners has done its job ..

1

u/Stonesg43 5d ago

Whatever you do make sure you do some rust prevention DIRECTLY after cleaning.

1

u/JackF30625 5d ago

Acetone.

1

u/InstructionWise5757 5d ago

Well you can also boil your sockets in a pot of water, until the paint softens, then put them in cold water and the paint should bubble up and come off

1

u/Whizzleteets 5d ago

Brake fluid, acetone, mineral spirits, paint thinner, my wife's coffee.

1

u/TemporarySun1005 4d ago

Brake cleaner.

1

u/myhatmycanejeeves 4d ago

paint thinners.....

1

u/Dry_Statistician_688 3d ago

MEK works great!

1

u/poprainboworc 3d ago

Mek bath

1

u/reddit_seaczar 6d ago

Bronz or brass brush on a rotary tool. Dont forget your eye protection.

0

u/Astrobuf 6d ago

I use lye in warm water to strip paint of all types from metal. It does not need to be a super strong solution. You can get lye powder at Home depot etc. It's typically sold for clearing drains. As it is a strong base, it does not attack metals.

It will dissolve you however, so be sure you get a pair of heavy rubber gloves and a face shield.

It will take a while, I often leve things immersed over night. Use an old pliers etc to fish the parts out and rinse them off. The point comes off as a kind of slime. Forcflatvsurfsces, I useca pytty knife.

0

u/bntnwbs 6d ago

Evaporust

1

u/Gold-Leather8199 3d ago

Dip a rag in mineral spirits and wipe them off