Removing old nickle plate and replating. Any suggestions please?

[MalcolmUK]

I have dozens of old watches that have lost nickle plating or are pitting etc, can anyone please share some advice on how to remove the old plating.

I have seen a few videos and want to give it a try but am very reluctant to deal with "battery acid" :)) Has anyone tried reverse plating to remove the majority of the old Nickle, before a buff and polish?

Or has anyone tried this solution:  Did it work please?

 Comments and advice welcome. Thank you.

 

 

[RichardHarris123]

Reverse electroplating is the best? / easiest method by far. Still plenty of preparation work required before replating. 

[AndyGSi]

I've done reverse electro plating in the past with mixed results.

I think a lot depends on the overall quality of the case but the key is to take it slowly and keep watching it.

[MalcolmUK]

Thank you Richard and Andy.. I am going to call some companies who specialize in plating and see what they say/ quote as well and share my findings.

[mikepilk]

I use reverse plating, with stripping solution from http://www.youplate.co.uk/stripping.html

It works well, and quite quickly, but you have to keep checking and stop as soon as the plating is removed, to avoid too much pitting. There is then plenty of work to get it prepared for plating. Plating hides nothing - the finish you see on the brass is what you will get when plated.

[MalcolmUK]

Thank you @mikepilk, is the solution hazardous, acid? Or is it reasonably safe, I saw the video and want to give it a try. Need a hot plate stirrer as well I see. Itching to see how this pans out.

Edited August 16, 2024 by MalcolmUK

[mikepilk]

1 hour ago, MalcolmUK said:

Thank you @mikepilk, is the solution hazardous, acid? Or is it reasonably safe, I saw the video and want to give it a try. Need a hot plate stirrer as well I see. Itching to see how this pans out.

It is strong acid, so you do need to be careful. 

You don't need any heat or stirring to strip.

[mikepilk]

I should mention that if you are nickel plating, I highly recommend copper plating first. It's easier to do than nickel (can be done at room temperature, whereas nickel is best at about 60°C) and most importantly, can create a thick layer to fill defects. This is easily sanded/polished to a good finish. Nickel adheres well to copper. 

I've just copper plated a case I'm working on which was badly pitted. 20 mins plating and all pitting filled.

Edited August 23, 2024 by mikepilk

[MalcolmUK]

Thank you @mikepilk the copper plating idea is exccelent advice!

Edited September 10, 2024 by MalcolmUK