Nickle Replating

wi0v

wi0v

Senior Member
Does anyone have any experience with Nickle Replating. I have done some research on YouTube and it appears doable for small projects like door handles ect.

Also know its not proper place, so please excuse me, but I can't finish painting until I get a pair of 29 Murray rear door hinges. I know this form isn't the proper place for a "Want" item but most (on the form) don't look at the want ads so will use this oppurtunity to break the rule's so please excuse me.

Thanks
 
Last edited:
When you say "Nickle Replating" are you referring to a do-it-yourself process, or a commercial replating job. I have had items nickle plated by commercial companies and am very satisfied with the results.
 
Yeah! How do you nickel plate something? Do you need nickel sulphide/sulphate? About a hundred or so years ago, my Dad got me some from work, but I was only interested in chrome then and never did anything with it. My father had no interest in having a chrome plating shop in the cellar and it was described as a very dangerous, gaseous and complicated process, involving the use of chromic acid (one of the worst) and not something you can do at home.
Terry
 
To do it yourself...

Just head over to Caswell Plating and learn some about it. There is a lot of information for anyone wanting to learn how to plate just about everything a home user is allowed to buy the chemicals to plate. There are limits on some of the chemicals you can have and stiff regulations on how you handle and dispose of those chemicals. There is a reason why you may be sending all parts out of the country to get them plated. (this is not intended as a political comment, just a statement of fact)

In a nut shell.

Buy lots of chemicals and supplies.
Mix it all up and get it ready.
Spend lots of hours getting a part cleaned polished smooth.
Plate with copper.
Spend more time cleaning and polishing.
Plate with nickel.
Maybe spend more time polishing or spend a lot more time realizing you messed up and you have to start over.

It is important to understand that Ford did not have bright nickel plate available for the plating process. They used a dull nickel plate which would need to be polished. This is how the rear of the bumpers get their color as they are chrome plated dull nickel.

I am trying to highlight it is a lot work requiring a lot of learned skills to get it right. I looked into doing it myself and decided to not go down that road.
 
In the old days, I believe things were copper, then nickle, then chrome. Any good shop should be able to fulfill your needs.
Paul in CT
 
Murry rear door hinges are very hard to find used (they tended to break frequently) and very pricy to by, usually requiring the purchase all the hinges to get the rear. Good luck with your Murry
 
If you start this process at home, be prepared to have someone from the EPA stop by for a visit. You are dealing with some very toxic and dangerous chemicals. You cannot just pour this stuff down the drain or out the back door. Handling and disposal of these chemicals requires extensive paper work trails as well as expensive disposal fees. If at any point you or someone connected to your new operation does something outside the very strict set of government regulations, all of you are subject to fines, clean up costs and even jail time. Trust me that it is way cheaper in the long run to let the established plating shops handle the hinges for you.
Think of it like this. Technically it is possible for a regular person to make a Coke and a Baby Ruth from scratch, but by the time you get everything bought and mixed, you will have $100.00 in a snack.
 
I used the Caswell nickel plating system and it worked quite well.
Time consuming?...yes. Learning curve?...comparable to learning how to proficiantly spray a car maybe?
Worth it in the end?...depends on your situation.
Is a reliable plater close at hand? Are you prepared to pay a premium for plating just a few parts at a time OR can you drop off everything at once?
Have you got half descent eyesight and a steady hand?

The caswell kit is worth buying I feel as it comes with an excellent manual and all the basic chemicals and anodes (except for the copper process)
Be prepared to spend a few dozen hours searching out the copper sulphate, building appropriate shaped tanks, selecting power sources and an amperage control. You'll need access to a glass bead blaster for prep, basic shop grinders/sanders and soldering skills, temperature gauges, a fish tank bubbler & tank heater, some large containers to store the chemical and heaps of patience.

Contrary perhaps to some of the info above...
1) there's no need for disposal if you KEEP the chemical. Nickel solution is like fine wine...it gets better with age.
2) the Caswell NON cyanide process involves a nickel strike,copper fill, prep & polish, nickel and polish if you want it shiny. Chrome is an extra step which I personally wouldn't take on.
3) dangerous? When I asked for some tips on this board I got everything from good help to bad, together with comments like "you know just about enough to be a menice to yourself".
I liked that comment (grin)...in fact it gave me incentive!
Just don't breathe the fumes or drink the solution. Protect your eyes & wash your hands alot. Keeps kids & animals away. Drink in moderation.
P.S. I found working with Muriatic acid FAR FAR more dangerous than nickel plating.

Once again...nickel plating is time consuming, especially if you have to put everything away between jobs for lack of space.
I have a whole new respect for plating people (the good ones) now that I've nickeled a few pieces.
....I hope some of this helps.
 

Attachments

  • S7301865.jpg
    S7301865.jpg
    70.7 KB · Views: 71
  • S7301875.jpg
    S7301875.jpg
    68.6 KB · Views: 65
  • S7301869.jpg
    S7301869.jpg
    43.2 KB · Views: 65
  • S7301896.jpg
    S7301896.jpg
    60.8 KB · Views: 65
  • S7301898.jpg
    S7301898.jpg
    31.9 KB · Views: 64
Learned a lot abt the process and must say, Craig did an outstanding job. For what commercial costs, I think I'll try it.
 
To add to what Don has described, I have a complete set of Murray window frames (7) and the garnishes (2) for the rear quarter windows. These have been sand blasted and primed (Rustoleum) I do have "woodgraining" available to me.
Terry



Don Turley said:
I have some parts available for purchase, already correctly professionally plated and correct for your 1929 Murray Town Sedan:
dome lamp
dome lamp switch plate
windshield slide arms
robe rope brackets also used as assist strap brackets in 1929
door pulls that attach to the door window moldings
seat adjustment knob
two window cranks
window crank escutcheons
instrument panel
instrument panel lamp
ignition switch bezel
ammeter bezel
gas & radiator caps

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50048

Don Turley
don@donturley.com
706-863-4867 GA
Click to expand...
 
I have seen Don Turley's items and they are VERY nice items.

He is an astute Model A restorer and does nice work. You would be happy dealing with him.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top