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Removing Plating from Vintage Tool?
- Thread starter bstoehr52
- Start date
Bubba Fett
Well-known member
Muriatic acid would likely do it, but you gotta be careful with it. I've never done it, but apparently you have to be pretty quick about it, and have a rinse tub ready, since it will also dissolve the steel if is left in too long.
Do it outside, and protective gear (gloves, goggles, etc.). Muriatic acid is basically hydrochloric acid.
Do it outside, and protective gear (gloves, goggles, etc.). Muriatic acid is basically hydrochloric acid.
There is quite a bit of info in the vintage tools forum regarding the do's and don'ts of plating. Might take some scouring but there is a pretty good index/directory to assist if you take the time to read it. Hope that helps.
Muriatic acid won't remove the typical nickel plating unless you maybe leave it in for a month. I've tried for several days on something that wasn't important. It seemed to remove the chrome, which is just a few tenths of thousands of an inch thick, but the nickel should be about .002" thick and appeared unphased.
What would work instead? Anything?Muriatic acid won't remove the typical nickel plating unless you maybe leave it in for a month. I've tried for several days on something that wasn't important. It seemed to remove the chrome, which is just a few tenths of thousands of an inch thick, but the nickel should be about .002" thick and appeared unphased.
seber
Well-known member
The reason nickel is used for plating is because it resists chemicals better than steel. I think your only choice is abrasion. Hardness of nickel plating varies a lot, but likely close to that of the tool steel.
Flap Disc or Metal grinding wheel? Wire wheel? What type of abrasion?The reason nickel is used for plating is because it resists chemicals better than steel. I think your only choice is abrasion. Hardness of nickel plating varies a lot, but likely close to that of the tool steel.
seber
Well-known member
Only you can answer that one. What do you have and what are you confident with. In my shop I would probably use an abrasive fiber wheel.Flap Disc or Metal grinding wheel? Wire wheel? What type of abrasion?
alfadan
Well-known member
It may be nickle plating, in which case ammonia should take it off.