Nickel plating thoughts....
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 1
From: Greensboro NC
Nickel plating thoughts....
I have a friend who will Nickel plate parts for me (for free.
.).
Not Chrome mind you, but Nickel, which while nice and clean looking does not have that gleaming shine.
I'm thinking it will be a nice contrast to the various Chrome and polished aluminum items underhood and elsewhere (even the rear axles are Chrome on my car).
One thing I am thinking of having him plate is a set of raw sidepipe headers.
Any thoughts on how Nickel plating might hold up in that circumstance?
Any thoughts on other things I can have plated?
.).Not Chrome mind you, but Nickel, which while nice and clean looking does not have that gleaming shine.
I'm thinking it will be a nice contrast to the various Chrome and polished aluminum items underhood and elsewhere (even the rear axles are Chrome on my car).
One thing I am thinking of having him plate is a set of raw sidepipe headers.
Any thoughts on how Nickel plating might hold up in that circumstance?
Any thoughts on other things I can have plated?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Nickel plating is used as the base for chrome, it is also a very hard /brittle plating.
it will hold up well, however DO NOT use for anthing that may flex, or bend,
Plating is easy, what makes parts look good is the prep.
you know the saying, you get what you pay for!
I have seen many freindships end, due to a freind doing a favor,
and then things not working out for everyone. 69VETT
If you already hace a chromed out schem, I personally would pass on the free Nickel.
it will hold up well, however DO NOT use for anthing that may flex, or bend,
Plating is easy, what makes parts look good is the prep.
you know the saying, you get what you pay for!
I have seen many freindships end, due to a freind doing a favor,
and then things not working out for everyone. 69VETT
If you already hace a chromed out schem, I personally would pass on the free Nickel.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
I have a friend who will Nickel plate parts for me (for free..).
Not Chrome mind you, but Nickel, which while nice and clean looking does not have that gleaming shine.
I'm thinking it will be a nice contrast to the various Chrome and polished aluminum items underhood and elsewhere (even the rear axles are Chrome on my car).
One thing I am thinking of having him plate is a set of raw sidepipe headers.
Any thoughts on how Nickel plating might hold up in that circumstance?
Any thoughts on other things I can have plated?
.).Not Chrome mind you, but Nickel, which while nice and clean looking does not have that gleaming shine.
I'm thinking it will be a nice contrast to the various Chrome and polished aluminum items underhood and elsewhere (even the rear axles are Chrome on my car).
One thing I am thinking of having him plate is a set of raw sidepipe headers.
Any thoughts on how Nickel plating might hold up in that circumstance?
Any thoughts on other things I can have plated?
Personally I think nickel plated side pipes on a black car would look great.
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: adamsville tn
sometimes copper is plated under nickle but as was previosly mentioned what makes it shine is'nt the copper or the nickle or the chrome its the prep work the polishing makes the show parts although the plating is easily botched as well
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,652
Likes: 3,110
From: Shamong, NJ
I remember form playing with antique cars many years ago, that many automakers in the teens/early 20's, used nickel plate on radiator shells, lamps, etc.. I've always liked the look of nickel, but if I remember correctly, nickel tarnishes, requiring regular polishing to keep a shine. This is probably why it was replaced by chrome plating in the 20's. If it can be cleared, as mentioned above, this may cure that problem, though.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: NYC NY
If you want to get an idea what a good nickel plating job looks like do a "google image search" using "ring brothers reactor" (yeah I know it's a Ford but that's not the point). The car won the the Shine Award at SEMA a few years back (unbelievable detail and fabrication work). The nickel plating on that car was done by Advanced Plating considered by many in the Hot Rod world to be the best in the business. Take a good look at the lips of the wheels especially. It's different and looks nice in my opinion for what ever that's worth.
Last edited by 3JsVette; Nov 24, 2009 at 12:22 AM.
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From: Taylor Michigan
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Last edited by Ganey; Nov 24, 2009 at 08:35 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 1
From: Greensboro NC
Thx for all the replies/opinions.
It's a family owned commercial/industrial plating company that has been around for some 50/60 years, and I've seen the quality of their work.
My buddy was very clear on the fact that the surface must be prepped well or the finished item would look so great (I know that from my days in metal fab and painting) so nothing new to me on that count.
I wish they also did chrome, but they gave that process up many years ago.
It's a family owned commercial/industrial plating company that has been around for some 50/60 years, and I've seen the quality of their work.
My buddy was very clear on the fact that the surface must be prepped well or the finished item would look so great (I know that from my days in metal fab and painting) so nothing new to me on that count.
I wish they also did chrome, but they gave that process up many years ago.
