thepolyparrot

Thanks so much! It's interesting to see that you get so bright a finish after the nickel plating is gone! I think I just lost some of my chicken-ness.

SteveH

I have an electroplating rig. I usually use it for silver plating (yep, already considered it...)
To plate in nickel I would just need to get some of the solution/salts, but it is doable.

The main reason manufacturers use nickel plating is because it costs about $2 to plate something, but takes about a hour of labor to actually put a mirror shine on something. WAY cheaper.

After thinking about this and going to check on a couple of my other "fading plating" old hand-wheels, it seems that Singer did this process of not fully polishing, then plating.

SteveH

Well, How does it look?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]385828[/ATTACH]

Before (after first test)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]385829[/ATTACH]

JudyTheSewer

It looks great! I am sure it looks better in person. Good job.

SteveH

thanks, and you are right, it was a crappy picture...
[ATTACH=CONFIG]385835[/ATTACH]

I like the look of these wheels without the original nickel plating.
I REALLY like polished iron...

cabbagepatchkid

It really looks beautiful!!!!!!

Pam1111

Wow!! Steve that looks incredible! What a difference with the before and after look. You can bet Miss Martha will be looking quite stylish at 104 years old with her shiny bling!!!
Pam

SteveH

I would like to do the same to the other part. I'll do that Saturday when i go into work, and then ship it out on Monday

SteveH

UPDATE:

I was not able to do this over the weekend, and I forgot to bring in the 1200 grit today, so....

I should be able to finish this tomorrow and ship Wednesday.

Pam1111

Steve totally not a problem as I have in no hurry. Take your time!