Removing paint from painted steel chainrings

Quoted post said:

Hello all, my bike has a basic Shimano crankset, where the chainrings
are made of painted steel (black). I'd like them to be silver. Is
it possible to remove the paint, or will I get just an ugly mess?

It might be as easy as laying them in a 1/8" bath of acetone or paint
stripper. Use a gas mask, do it outside, and take a 20 minute break
and walk around the block while the VOC's wreak havoc on all living
creatures within 20 feet of your chainring ... It's really a lot
better to plan this stuff in advance and leave when you might be
tempted to put your physiology at risk (for cancer 1-5 years in the
future, etc ...)

I wouldn't do it if the rings are steel. If they are aluminum, you
could clean up any ugly areas by sanding the rings. If they are
steel, when you sand the rings, you will likely remove some plating
(if any) causing the rings to rust right away ...

- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA

If the rings are steel, they might not be painted after all. There
are several "blackening" agents available that will impart a black
oxide finish to steel and protect the steel at the same time. These
produce an electrochemical change in the steel's surface that cannot
typically be removed by paint strippers ...

http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/black.htm

- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA

Quoted message said:

Hello all,
my bike has a basic Shimano crankset, where the chainrings are made of
painted steel (black).
I'd like them to be silver.
Is it possible to remove the paint, or will I get just an ugly mess?

A silver paint pen for $3.95 will save you lots of trouble.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971