Hello! Removing nickel plating

[Smithandwessoneverything]

Hey guys I'm new here. Can I ask if you can sand off nickel plating from a old safety hammerless because it's chipped, cracked, and has some rust and then polish the steel underneath and then replate it? What do you guys suggest?
Thank you!

 

[Spajohn]

You might take it to a chrome plater and have them reverse the process. Most chrome platers plate copper/nickle/chrome in layers. This process can be reversed, no problem.

 

[GaryHK]

I would recommend against mechanical removal (which is what sanding is vs chemical)

Sanding will destroy the underlying metal and it will be uneven and wavy. If you are planning to re-plate it the company/person doing the re-plating probably also has the chemicals to strip it properly.

Maybe post pics and welcome to the forum.

 

[coachray]

Welcome to the forum

 

[C Islander]

Welcome from Ohio!

 

[URIT]

Welcome aboard from coastal North Carolina.

I would be hesitant to take the finish off my handgun but I know there are DIY posts on the internet.

I would be more inclined to contact the professionals at Cummings Custom Refinishing or Mahovsky's Metalife for advice. Good luck with your project.

 

[rwt1405]

Welcome to the Forum!

 

[AJ]

Brownell's sold a nickel stripper at one time. We stripped a German Lugar that some one had nickeled. Worked like a champ.

Googled it: BROWNELLS ROOM TEMPERATURE NICKEL STRIPPER | Brownells

 

[Beauetienne]

Welcome !!!

 

[mrsig]

Welcome from Tampa.

 

[Gunhacker]

Welcome to the forum.

As other have said, I would strongly suggest that you let the re-finisher do the stripping and surface prep. The slightest surface imperfection (sanding mark, unevenness) will telegraph through and affect the appearance of the plating.

For Nickel, I recommend Ford's Custom Gun Refinishing.

Here's a link to their "ugly gun" picture gallery to see examples of their work: Really Ugly Guns

 

[S&W Oldtimer]

Welcome from Va.

 

[husker51]

Welcome from the Great Plains of Nebraska!

 

[OLDSTER]

Hi from balmy North Dakota

 

[pmanton]

Hi from Salome, AZ.

 

[BC38]

Brownell's sold a nickel stripper at one time. We stripped a German Lugar that some one had nickeled. Worked like a champ.

Googled it: BROWNELLS ROOM TEMPERATURE NICKEL STRIPPER | Brownells

I find this intriguing. What kind of finish did the underlying steel have after the nickel was gone? Was the surface shiny, smooth, dull, matte, or what?
I ask because I have an old Luger that has also been nickel plated and has a few peeled spots. I wouldn't mind stripping and rebluing it if it could be done without hurting the underlying metal - which is in very good condition.

 

[AJ]

I find this intriguing. What kind of finish did the underlying steel have after the nickel was gone? Was the surface shiny, smooth, dull, matte, or what?
I ask because I have an old Luger that has also been nickel plated and has a few peeled spots. I wouldn't mind stripping and rebluing it if it could be done without hurting the underlying metal - which is in very good condition.

The finish was nicely finished as you would expect from a Pre-WW II pistol in most spots, there were some areas of pitting. Ended up bead blasting the gun. Then put a parkerized finish on it. Looked good to me. I shot it at the range and someone badgered me enough that I sold it to them.

 

[BC38]

The finish was nicely finished as you would expect from a Pre-WW II pistol in most spots, there were some areas of pitting. Ended up bead blasting the gun. Then put a parkerized finish on it. Looked good to me. I shot it at the range and someone badgered me enough that I sold it to them.

Cool, thanks for the info.

 

[snubbyfan]

 

[lkabug]

Welcome from the Commonwealth of Virginia.