The knobs on our kitchen stove oftentimes become coated from splattered oil from cooking. We had an instance where, after they were soaked in soapy water, the chrome-like coating peeled right off, leaving a white plastic knob.
Today, to try to avoid them peeling again ( a replacement set of five costs $79) I sprayed all of them with a clear lacquer which should allow for cleaning without damaging them.
Life Unfolding 