How big a part?

[charliewolfe]

I want to nickel plate the steel receiver of a double barrel shotgun that has been in the family for over 75 years. I'm not trying to renew the finish or remove imperfections. I just want to improve the corrosion resistance because it's rarely used anymore. The original finish on the receiver, if it ever had any, is long gone. It's just bare shiny metal on the areas that get touched a lot. Dull on the others. The gun is probably not worth more than 200 dollars but it holds many memories.

My question is: I want to try the nickel Plug-N-Plate kit. Do you think I could use the dip method? Or should I just stay with the brush stroke technique? I do not intend to buff it out because I'm hoping it will more or less duplicate the existing surface but not require constant upkeep and oiling. If I take it out and it rains, it's a pain. I have re-blued the barrels.

Any thoughts?
Thanks / Charlie

[lcaswell]

Hi Charlie:

Plug N Plate is designed for very small parts. I'm no gun expert, but I imagine the barrels of a double barrelled shotgun to be quite large (over 12" long). These will be impossible to immerse in 8oz of Plug N Plate Nickel Solution, and even too large for the brush method.

You'll be best using a 3-4.5 gallon nickel plating kit to immerse these parts in and re-nickel plate. You'll need the kit, and a DC power supply (rectifier or battery). If you want a bright, shiny nickel, you'll need to buff the parts first.

If my assumptions from above are incorrect, please let me know.

[charliewolfe]

It's only the receiver, not the barrels. The receiver (maybe not the right terminology for a double) is the part that has the trigger, firing pins and springs. It weighs maybe 2 pounds, is 4 inches long not including a tang which does not need plated, 2.5 or so wide, and 2 deep. My plan was to mask all but the exterior surfaces. As close as I can estimate, the total area not masked would be 9-10 square inches at most.

If the dip method is too iffy, I could try the brush technique. I'm just not sure if it's applicable for a big smooth part like this. I don't intend to buff or polish but I was concerned that it might wind up with very apparent streaking and uneven plating unless I dipped it.

Thanks again