Removing Chrome from Master Cylinder Lid.

Hello Guys, I wonder if I could ask for some assistance please?
I'm removing the chrome that a previous owner put onto my m/c lid using the following method:
I made up a solution comprising 1 gallon of water +9 ozs sodium hydroxide + 7 ozs sodium carbonate.
Using a slightly modified pc psu:woohoo: I've connected the piece to be de-chromed to the positive of a dc 5v supply, and used a random piece of steel as the negative.
These are currently sitting in the solution bubbling like crazy producing a rather impressive yellow colour to the electrolyte.[ which I think is a chrome compound.]
However, one thing concerns me, there's an acrid smell coming off it and I'm not sure what this [gas?] is.
So, here's the rub, does anyone know what this [gas?] is?
All comments gratefully received.
I'll report the results when I'm done.
just realised the post is repeating but doesnt show when I edit it.:blink:

Can't tell you what the gas is but I hope your doing this in a WELL ventilated area? Don't be breathing that stuff... :X

just had to switch it off,started coughing:(

Moved it into the kitchen, f*** me that stuffs nasty:unsure: :woohoo:

The kitchen??? How about the back yard or something? :S

"The back yard"!!!! Are you mad? I do all my maintainance in the house, gotta bench in kitchen:woohoo:
In fact, theres a frame hanging from the kitchen ceiling now:)

how about just taking it to a plating shop to have it stripped,probably cost $10 and much safer

"Much Safer", hehehe....this coming from a bloke with a 1327 rocketship;)

dont forget the 1428 turbo and the 1385 turbo with nitrous project collecting dust in their collective corners!:laugh: id still rather take my chances on a bike than dealing with chemicals involved in plating process,ive been around plenty of plating shops over the years and its really nasty stuff

Sparky, you might want to read this, especially the part about the hazards: CLICK

In my opinion, leave it to the pros.

OnkelB, thankyou, I realised the [gas] was in fact a mist after I saw it through the light I rigged up:blink:
I'll play it safe and :woohoo: BUILD A BENCH IN THE BACK YARD:woohoo: [Bluemeanies idea, I'll blame him:silly: ]
Seriously, thanks a lot, now I know why I'm the only one doing it.
As I'd said, I report back, the Chrome's gone--[solution now yellow:blink: ], and the lid is now in battery acid to remove the Nickel[in the yard:)
Only problem now[other than the local cats maybe getting thirsty in this heat:side: ], is that the bloody thing will probably go rusty quick like so.....REPLATING:woohoo: :woohoo: