Removing Nickel Plating

[drdarvocet]

I have an old carbon steel putter that I am thinking about either nickel or copper plated. It currently has a nickel-plated finish that is in bad shape. How Should I go about removing the prior finish to get down to the original metal? Would the process the same for either plating I would use? Thansk in advance for your expertise and info.

[mcaswell]

Re: Removing Nickel Plating

Removing nickel plate is fairly straightforward. Our manual has a formula for a chemical stripper that uses household acid.

You can also sand blast, grind or sand the finish off.

[GolfNut]

Re: Re: Removing Nickel Plating

I heard that Acetic Acid (vinegar?) or Muriatic Acid (Hydrochloric Acid) will work to remove finishes. Where do you get these chemicals and what concentrations do you need? Thanks!

==================

caswell wrote:
Removing nickel plate is fairly straightforward. Our manual has a formula for a chemical stripper that uses household acid.

You can also sand blast, grind or sand the finish off.

[mcaswell]

Re: Removing Nickel Plating

Seriously, the pickel we recommend is muriatic acid based, commonly known as concrete cleaner and available at a hardware store.

[shorton]

Re: Removing Nickel Plating

Seriously, the pickel we recommend is muriatic acid based, commonly known as concrete cleaner and available at a hardware store.

How do you remove ONLY the nickel and none of the underlying brass?

[mcaswell]

The pickle won't remove any of the brass.

It's like stripping paint. Paint stripper will remove the paint, but won't touch the base metal.

[marcefe]

Re: Removing Nickel Plating

Hi guys, I'm a newbie here and would appreciate some help. I just bought an old Beretta (fire arm) from 2nd world war but its nickel plated. I want to remove the nickel plating in order to restore it to its original color. I have tried sand blasting, but it didnt remove the thin nickel layer on the bare metal. I don't want to sand blast it again due to its age, and some very delicate parts that seem a bit delicate now. I heard that I need to submerge it in muriatic acid, if this is so how much time do I leave it to rest in the acid, and what proportions of acid/dilutant do I need to use? Thanks!!!

[lcaswell]

Re: Removing Nickel Plating

You've unearthed a six year old thread here. Now there's an easier solution to this, that won't hurt the base metal.

Use MetalX Stripper. See Caswell Inc. - MetalX Nickel Strippers

[NOL4154]

Re: Removing Nickel Plating

Hello,
it appears you are getting good advice. Just to add FYI, Stripping nickel can be done two ways:
1. Chemically by purchasing Caswell immersion nickel strippers.
2. Perform chemically with reverse current (anodic) to removel plated nickel.

Care must be taken because the nickel layer changes in thickness due to current densities (low, mid, high current densities). Nickel thickness follows the low current density- lowest nickel thickness, etc..
Inaddition, you need to remove all nickel deposit before replating.
I recommend Caswell nickel strippers because they are proven product.
Stripping plating is much harder than plating.
Good Luck,
Nol4154



I have an old carbon steel putter that I am thinking about either nickel or copper plated. It currently has a nickel-plated finish that is in bad shape. How Should I go about removing the prior finish to get down to the original metal? Would the process the same for either plating I would use? Thansk in advance for your expertise and info.