Nickel Plating in or near Michigan
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Topic author - Posts: 1690
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- First Name: Jeff
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Nickel Plating in or near Michigan
Striking out getting some bumper bars nickel plated in or near Michigan. Had a contact before covid shutdown, B&R Chrome in Toledo OH, but now the owner seems uninterested in taking on new jobs due to labor shortages, or bad business management, or just no customer service skills. So assuming there are no Michigan based chrome plating shops that do nickel plating for antique auto restoration, who can recommend from personal experience a good one anywhere.
I am considering trying my hand at nickel plating some small parts like tire stem covers and screws with an at home plating kit, but do not think that would be suitable for large parts like bumper bars.
I am considering trying my hand at nickel plating some small parts like tire stem covers and screws with an at home plating kit, but do not think that would be suitable for large parts like bumper bars.
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Re: Nickel Plating in or near Michigan
I don't have his number handy (I will look for it though), but I have always had great results from Craig Riker in Ohio. The work has always been top-notch with excellent turn-around times.
"Remember son, there are two ways to do this: The right way, and your way” Thanks Dad, I love you too.
LOOKING FOR A LUFKIN No. 9A Height Gage Attachment.
LOOKING FOR A LUFKIN No. 9A Height Gage Attachment.
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Re: Nickel Plating in or near Michigan
Hello.
Did you ever think about DIY plating with Nickel ?
I did the opposite with my Boyce Motometer. It was in Chrome, also the radiator cap, but I needed brass (for my '16 Touring). I finally decided to do it by myself because I was concerned about this huge and quick temperature changes from bath to bath between 20°C and 85°C, as they could destroy the glass thermometer. And this Motometer is meanwhile really rare.
1. First I stripped (unplated) the Chrome - 5 minutes
2. Then I applied real gold. - Approx. 10-15 minutes
At the beginning I was afraid that color would differ too much, but see the result in attached picture, I never did electroplating before. The inner scale is true brass, all outer surface is gold plated. The big advantage is that this works with parts in literally every size because you work across the entire part from one end to the other...
With real GOLD as surface I will not have to polish it again and again, it will stay shiny ....
Costs:
I payed approx. 100$ for all four chemicals and textile tampons. (But without the power supply, because I already have one in my electronics workshop.)
If you are interested, here is the Link: www.real-gold.de
It is for sure worth a try. And you can easily re-plate spots when needed.
All you need is a few galvanic baths and a cheap but adjustable power supply (up to 12V / 10A output, both adjustable separately). I am sure that such chemicals also are being sold in USA.
Did you ever think about DIY plating with Nickel ?
I did the opposite with my Boyce Motometer. It was in Chrome, also the radiator cap, but I needed brass (for my '16 Touring). I finally decided to do it by myself because I was concerned about this huge and quick temperature changes from bath to bath between 20°C and 85°C, as they could destroy the glass thermometer. And this Motometer is meanwhile really rare.
1. First I stripped (unplated) the Chrome - 5 minutes
2. Then I applied real gold. - Approx. 10-15 minutes
At the beginning I was afraid that color would differ too much, but see the result in attached picture, I never did electroplating before. The inner scale is true brass, all outer surface is gold plated. The big advantage is that this works with parts in literally every size because you work across the entire part from one end to the other...
With real GOLD as surface I will not have to polish it again and again, it will stay shiny ....
Costs:
I payed approx. 100$ for all four chemicals and textile tampons. (But without the power supply, because I already have one in my electronics workshop.)
If you are interested, here is the Link: www.real-gold.de
It is for sure worth a try. And you can easily re-plate spots when needed.
All you need is a few galvanic baths and a cheap but adjustable power supply (up to 12V / 10A output, both adjustable separately). I am sure that such chemicals also are being sold in USA.
Model T Touring 1916
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Re: Nickel Plating in or near Michigan
Jeff
Try B & L Plating, Victor Pirrami, tel 586 778 9300
21353 Edom
Warrenn Mi
48089
Good guys, excellent work, EXPENSIVE
They tell me the costs are in compliance with the DEQ regarding their chemicals.
Good luck
Jon
Try B & L Plating, Victor Pirrami, tel 586 778 9300
21353 Edom
Warrenn Mi
48089
Good guys, excellent work, EXPENSIVE
They tell me the costs are in compliance with the DEQ regarding their chemicals.
Good luck
Jon
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Topic author - Posts: 1690
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:23 pm
- First Name: Jeff
- Last Name: Humble
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Canadian built coupe, 1924 TT C-cab, survivor 1924 roadster
- Location: Charlevoix, Mi
- MTFCA Number: 28034
- Board Member Since: 2006
Re: Nickel Plating in or near Michigan
Will try B&L. Thanks for the contact info Jon.
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Re: Nickel Plating in or near Michigan
Much of the cost is in the labour to polish items before plating. If stuff is pitted it may take a cycle of copper plates and polishes before it is ready for finish plating. Every little imperfection left and not polished out will be reflected in the finished job. This need for a perfect finish is reflected in the $660 charge to replate a brass high radiator shell.
Any proper chrome plating job will be based on a copper plate, which is followed by a nickel plate. If it is to stay nickel plated, it usually is plated to a greater thickness. My plater told me that chrome plating is hard but not entirely impervious. The softer nickel plate is the sealer under the chrome.
I once had some original hubcaps nickel plated, and when I went to pick them up they were chromed. No worries! The guy took them out the back and came back 5 minutes later, having stripped the chrome back to the nickel undercoat.
Allan from down under.
Any proper chrome plating job will be based on a copper plate, which is followed by a nickel plate. If it is to stay nickel plated, it usually is plated to a greater thickness. My plater told me that chrome plating is hard but not entirely impervious. The softer nickel plate is the sealer under the chrome.
I once had some original hubcaps nickel plated, and when I went to pick them up they were chromed. No worries! The guy took them out the back and came back 5 minutes later, having stripped the chrome back to the nickel undercoat.
Allan from down under.
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- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Juhl
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Touring
- Location: Thumb of Michigan
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Re: Nickel Plating in or near Michigan
A W Custom Chrome - Eastpoint MI - (586) 775-2040
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
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Re: Nickel Plating in or near Michigan
What ever you do, make sure you go to a place that specializes in old fashioned nickel plating, and make sure to get references.
I had mine done over 10 years ago, and it only needs wiping of with a soft cotton cloth once and a while.
I had mine done over 10 years ago, and it only needs wiping of with a soft cotton cloth once and a while.
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- Posts: 2953
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:06 pm
- First Name: Jerry
- Last Name: Van
- Location: S.E. Michigan
- MTFCA Number: 24868
Re: Nickel Plating in or near Michigan
I have used AW in the past. They are very reasonable. Just be sure to tell them not to go crazy when buffing your parts!!! I had some very shiny, but slightly ruined parts come back from them. Also had some very nice results....