[ASHENASH]

I'm posting for the first time and honest , I've searched the archives and read the manual. I just can't find the answer. Maybe one of you experts can help me.

How do you plate Nickel over old Nickel when the steel substrate shows through ?

Specifically, I have a 1939 Rickenbacher lap steel guitar that I'm restoring. It is steel with thick nickel plate. I could be happy polishing the nickel and living with a "experienced patina" Problem is there are places where the nickel is worn off and the steel shows through. This is evidenced by a few rusty spots.

Questions

Can I activate the spots w/ acid and brush plate the steel/nickel "crater" ?

Can I "mark" the steel spots with a "rust stop" and brush plate ?

Thanks
Bert