Nickle over Brass

[jmerson]

I want to nickle plate an object made of Brass. What would be the correct procedure?

[bhhodges]

here are my steps

1- polish to a mirror shine
2- clean with dawn diswashing liquid
3- electroclean
4- rinse
5- activate
6- rinse
7- rinse again different tank
8- plate with nickel


done


bill

[XK120DHC]

Re: Nickle over Brass

Bill H;
Two questions about Nickel over brass..
Electroclean in what?? SP Degreaser?? What amp level & how long?
Activate in what? I've been told to use a mild 3% solution of Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4). One of the problems I having with that involves the math.. "Battery Acid" is stated to be 35%, but most "seasoned" platers I've talked to say it's closer to 25%.. And when I try to figure 3% of 25% I get a ratio of 8.34 parts H20 to 1 part Battery Acid which doesn't "look like" a 3% mix..
The part I need to plate is a fifty-two year old bulb holder/reflector for a British Sports Car's Reverse Light, which has been stripped of it original finish (claimed to be "Butler Chrome") and polished to a beautiful mirror shine, inside and out.
Any, and all, clarification gratefully appreciated.

[mcaswell]

Re: Nickle over Brass

You stated it was 'Butler Chrome', and I've never heard of such a thing. Are you sure they don't mean 'Butler Nickel"?

[XK120DHC]

Re: Nickle over Brass

You stated it was 'Butler Chrome', and I've never heard of such a thing. Are you sure they don't mean 'Butler Nickel"?

I looked back thru my notes, which I should have done to begin with, and found what that the plating was called "Sputter Chrome" (still never heard of it), not Butler Chrome (so much for memory!)..
Have y'all ever heard of this?
Also, would you like to address the primary issue I asked Bill about??
"Electroclean in what?? SP Degreaser?? What amp level & how long?
Activate in what? I've been told to use a mild 3% solution of Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4). One of the problems I having with that involves the math.. "Battery Acid" is stated to be 35%, but most "seasoned" platers I've talked to say it's closer to 25%.. And when I try to figure 3% of 25% I get a ratio of 8.34 parts H20 to 1 part Battery Acid which doesn't "look like" a 3% mix.."