Elucidate me on the cheap/homebrew ways of removing chrome

The item in question is a 50 year-old pitted valve cover. Not a giant part, but not exactly tiny either.

Shotgun?

Seriously, I am very interested as well. Would you use electrolysis?

I don't think electrolysis would work for that.

There are some paints that will go right over chrome, though.

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general/stripping-chrome-electrolytic-bath-163422/

Yeah no electrolysis, at least not in your backyard. Looks like mechanical means are the best for a DIY guy, with grit blasting being the best.

I've paint over chrome to black out the bumpers and door handle on my old drag car years back. The auto body supply shop sold me a Dupont prep liquid to brush on let sit and wash off dry and paint. worked great paint was solid after 8 years when i sold it.

I have no idea if any of these actually work, or how risky they are. But here's a Wiki page regarding chrome removal.

http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Chrome-Plating

too bad it's not on a trailer hitch, otherwise i'd introduce you to one of my old girlfriends.