Nickel Plating Cost

[dhosking]

What is a typical cost to electro-plate a 228D fount with bright nickel finsh? The old nickel finish is down to brass in some spots, otherwise the fount is in good shape. Thanks.

[Leviticus_Tomethreus]

If it’s just some spots, live with it. It’s only original once. You can always try playing on your own. Would be less expensive.

[Dmacp]

If it’s just some spots, live with it. It’s only original once.

Original didn't have spots.

[Coldwaterpaddler]

If I owned a 1969 Dodge Charger RT and the paint was worn down to the sheet metal in spots and I didn't like how it looked, I would have no problem repainting it, so . . I feel the same way about old GPA's, whether paint or nickel. My vote is to make it the way you like it.

Some people have done their own plating but I'm pretty sure I remember that someone else posted the name of a plater in a relatively recent post. Maybe it was last fall? I don't recall the name and haven't used one . . . yet. I'm kinda curious myself. I've got a couple I'd like to replate if I don't plate them myself.

[dhosking]

My father was an electro-plater for 50 years so I got to watch the processes as a kid. Regrettably, I didn't pay close attention although I do recall that many of the acids he used were pretty awful and dangerous stuff. There are some videos on Youtube about home plating setups, but for me it is too elaborate and expensive for just one or two founts. I will contact some local platers here in Missouri next week and then post here what I find out about costs.

[Rfieldbuilds]

Bruce Kuda on FB is doing some playing for collectors. I think he is reasonable priced.
I’ve looked locally and been quoted &80-100 for a fount.

[Ridge_Runner]

New England Chrome Plating in Connecticut is a reputable company that other members have used for refinishing nickel.

I called them last summer and their over-the-phone estimate seemed reasonable to me. Not sure though how much you want to invest in your project though. If I remember correctly it was around $65.

Greg (Rubing) has used them recently and might be able to give some more insight as to the quality of their work. Try sending him a PM.

[Tgarner01]

Bruce Kuda on FB is doing some playing for collectors. I think he is reasonable priced.
I’ve looked locally and been quoted &80-100 for a fount.

+1 on Bruce

[Rubing]

I sent my 319 fount to New England and there was an upcharge because I had stress cracks repaired and they had to blend them in. IIRC it wound up being $100 plus postage both ways. The nickel came out beautifully. It took a little longer than what was originally quoted but to be fair I mailed it to them last March.

[Rubing]

Bruce Kuda on FB is doing some playing for collectors. I think he is reasonable priced.
I’ve looked locally and been quoted &80-100 for a fount.

+1 on Bruce

I did contact Bruce prior to sending it to New England early last year but at the time he didn’t have a large enough power supply to plate brass founts. He was only plating steel founts at that time but I think he has upgraded his system since then.

[Tgarner01]

Bruce Kuda on FB is doing some playing for collectors. I think he is reasonable priced.
I’ve looked locally and been quoted &80-100 for a fount.

+1 on Bruce

I did contact Bruce prior to sending it to New England early last year but at the time he didn’t have a large enough power supply to plate brass founts. He was only plating steel founts at that time but I think he has upgraded his system since then.

I'm guessing you're right. Just looking at his photos it looks good anyhow

[Coldwaterpaddler]

Considering it could cost $50 to re-enamel a vent, $65 to get a fount re-plated isn't actually too bad, IMO. The re-plated 319 looks awesome from what I could see. And, if you really enjoy a particular GPA it might be completely worth it. As I noted in a post in December, I had a pre-war 237A vent re-enameled in SeaFoam green and have no regrets. Love it!

[Sam_McCord]

This is good information. I have a 202 needing replated as the nickel chipped around the hole I drilled for the electrical cord. Thanks:)

[Rubing]

When I bought the 319 it was in really great condition other than about 4 stress cracks. Between having the stress cracks soldered up, Caswell and nickel plating it probably cost me about $250 with postage but that is a drop in the bucket to have a running 319.
Aside from the fount and filler cap all the rest of the nickel plating is original.

[Tgarner01]

This is good information. I have a 202 needing replated as the nickel chipped around the hole I drilled for the electrical cord. Thanks:)

That's hilarious

[Phredd]

FYI - I got a quote from New England Plating last month for a 237. They said between 75 and 85.

[Rubing]

FYI - I got a quote from New England Plating last month for a 237. They said between 75 and 85.

FWIW I mailed the fount out west to Dean Williams to get the stress cracks repaired and I was as nervous as a whore in church mailing it so it it was insured for $500 each way even though that wouldn’t have covered the loss of the fount.
I searched a 2 hour radius drive from where I live for a nickel plater so I could drive it there instead of mailing it again to no avail. This radius included Detroit and Chicago, due to environmental regulations the only platers I know of are Bruce, New England and a source Murff has on the west coast.

[Ridge_Runner]

Rubing Greg, that really did come out sweet.

I’m also jealous of the collection in the reflection

[Rfieldbuilds]

For the record, Johnson plating in Oakland Ca is who I spoke to. He has a very busy shop. I want to make sure the source is recorded for anyone that may need it.

[arizonacamper]

There's a couple of places here in Tucson and I think there's one in Phoenix that'll do nickel and chrome plating if anybody wants their information I will post it
Shawn

[Jeepstircrazy]

Just a quick google search in NY and there are several plating companies in Syracuse but this is the one that intrigues me.
http://www.rochesterovernightplating.com/index.html

[Rubing]

To be correct there are several places in Detroit, Chicago and Indiana that will do mass nickel plating but none that I could find that would do a one off piece.

[arizonacamper]

Check out Capital Metal Finishing out of Tucson AZ. This place does great work and are reasonably priced. If you don't want to send it to them directly you can send it to me and i can get it to them. They are not too far from where i work now. Just an offer.
Shawn

[holliswood]

dhosking

I’m glad you brought this topic up.
I’ve got a 60’s Petromax 829 that’s a complete brassy and have been contemplating getting it replated.

For those members here that have had a vent re-nickeled and actually fired the lantern back up, any results good or bad on how the nickel has held up?

[dhosking]

My father was an electro-plater for 50 years so I got to watch the processes as a kid. Regrettably, I didn't pay close attention although I do recall that many of the acids he used were pretty awful and dangerous stuff. There are some videos on Youtube about home plating setups, but for me it is too elaborate and expensive for just one or two founts. I will contact some local platers here in Missouri next week and then post here what I find out about costs.

I found a shop here in Missouri that does electro-less nickel plating. The owner was very helpful and said that if I polish the fount perfectly, then the cost to plate would be between $40 and $60, depending on how much touching up he would need to do before plating. That sounds reasonable but I am not sure if a 1948 Model 228D is worth the investment. I am on the fence whether to proceed.

[joesmoe3]

I just sent a fount to Bruce to be plated.

He said he will remove the enamel, but he doesn't replace the enamel.

While folks are talking about sources, is there a place send a cap to be restored with heat-resistant coating ?

[Phredd]

Fred

Let me know if you find a good place in central NC for nickle plating. I contacted a couple places in the Raleigh_Durham area and none of them do single piece work.

Kevin

[williamlee111]

If it’s just some spots, live with it. It’s only original once. You can always try playing on your own. Would be less expensive.

+1 It's only original once

[holliswood]

Fred

Let me know if you find a good place in central NC for nickle plating. I contacted a couple places in the Raleigh_Durham area and none of them do single piece work.

Kevin

Will do Hopefully I’ll get motivated to get it right this year.