Removing old plating

[cshu]

Must I remove old nickel plating before tank plating. Can I plate then polish nickel and plate the same piece again for higher luster? Also, for small parts (three inch by 1/4 inch strips of .040" steel) is brush plating better than tank plating? Thanks in advance.

[mcaswell]

You can nickel plate over existing nickel plate. You have to use an acid pickle called Nickle Activator. It's in the manual.

Brush plating is good when you can't get an item in a tank for whatever reason, like plating a car emblem while still on the car. Tank plating generally gives a more uniform plate.