Removing Nickle Plating

[Flinch Morningwood]

Just picked up a S&W 38 Spur trigger 5-shot at a gun show.  Ordered the Electroless Nickle Plating kit.

What is the best way to remove the old nickle plating...some of it is in very good condition and some is slightly rusted through....

Thanks!

[St. George]

You don't mention the existing percentage of plated surfaces, but  if the plating is as you say, and the weapon is dull, and with small spots of missing plating - as are all of them that found their way out of their boxes, then I'd suggest that rather than attempt to de-plate and re-plate - get some superfine steel wool, and some 'Simichrome' or 'Wenol' and polish the entire piece by hand - buffing with a soft cloth like a cotton diaper or t-shirt.

That way, the weapon will look well-cared-for, and 'not' look like someone's tried to improve it.

Removal of original finish drops value immediately, but maintaining original finish doesn't - and since this is all doneby hand, there's no buffing wheel marks.

Should you shoot it - use nothing but Black Powder.

Good Luck!

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[HolliferADollar]

Back when I worked in a manufacturing plant with a plating shop, they stripped nickel plating with nitric acid...not something that you want to be around.  Of course, that was 25 years ago, chemical processes might have improved a bit since then!

HAD

[One Tall Man]

Nickel can be removed by soaking in a solution of potassium monopersulfate, AKA Pool-bright by Pool Care.
Hot solution works quicker. Some parts I've been stripping had copper plating underneath the nickel and copper stayed in place.

[Flinch Morningwood]

Took St Georges advice and  got some polish and 0000 steel wool.  Looks a lot better and I don't feel like I screwed up an original!

I'll save the nickel kit for a couple Pietta 1851 with Kirst conversions i have.

Thanks!

[St. George]

The 'Simichrome Solution' can really make the weapon look 'right', by removing the dullness that plagues those old pocket pistols - it returns them to their much-deserved 'well-cared-for' appearance, and doesn't make them look re-plated or screwed with.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!