Has anyone brass plated pinball parts? Is it worth it or should I just paint them?

Grantman

Active member

Donor 4 years: 2011, 2013, 2023-2024
Joined
Jun 10, 2009
Messages
980
Reaction score
40
Location
Virginia
Has anyone brass plated pinball parts? Is it worth it or should I just paint them?

I have an Indiana Jones pinball that I'm renovating. I like how the gun handle looks when brass plated (see http://www.zplating.com/cart/index.php?p=catalog&parent=53&pg=1). That price is just for the plating. Has anyone done this and think it's worth the money? Same for the wire form ramps.

Can you get close to this look by painting with brass metallic paint? I can buy this stuff at Home Depot for $4 instead of spending $300 plating the parts:
Rust-Oleum Specialty 11 oz. Gloss Brass Metallic Aerosol Paint
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

ijbrass.jpg
 
Mike Chestnut did a lockdown bar for me and turned out AWESOME!!!!!!!!

Spend the extra money and do it right, it'll be worth it.
 
I'm plating a TOM set right now. All metal on the cab -

legs
side rails
lock down bar
coin door
bolts

even down to the metal frame the DMD sits on...

If you love the game, it's worth it. :D
 
Never use that spray can stuff.

The lids with the samples never are the same as the finish you get. I think it's false advertising...

I agree. I used "shiny brass" on my Tapper's cup holders a few years back. It looks nothing like the lid. Eventually I'm going to get them properly plated.
 
Depends on what you want? Personally I think brass plating or chrome where it didn't come originally looks bad. Just not a fan of it. Some games with brass habitrails frmo the factory, I'd like better if they were chrome instead. I don't remember if the gun on IJ came brass or black, but I'm thinking it was black? If so, I'd probably just paint it with some quality black paint. It will hold up forever in home use. Really, it comes down to whether you like it or not.

If you want the brass look but use a spray can, it might look nice, but it sure won't look like polished brass.

Wade
 
I had a bunch of parts chrome plated by Mike Chestnut and no regrets. Very reasonable, I thought cheap, prices. Quick communication, etc.. Will be doing more business with him.
 
I really have to say some thanks here. I've been looking for a way to have the lockdown bar on an TAF Gold brass plated. I'll be emailing Mike very shortly. :)
 
I'd love to brass plate my Theatre of Magic. The question is, what does it cost? Those of you that have had parts done, what did it cost you?
 
I can tell you what Mike's prices are as of now. Sent out an email and heard from him within an hour. Very impressed already.

He wants 60$ for the lockdown, 125$ for the side rails, 55$ for the two wireforms and 20$ for shooter housing. There may be price difference on wireforms but I'd expect these to all be about the same. I'm pretty happy with these prices. All the local places wanted 400-500$ to do just the LD!
 
I'd love to brass plate my Theatre of Magic. The question is, what does it cost? Those of you that have had parts done, what did it cost you?

$400 for every piece of metal on a pin cab.

4 legs
1 coin door
2 side rails
1 LD bar
2 head brackets
1 DMD rail
Misc hardware (bolts, etc)

This is the polished gold finish (brass) that will be clear coated over.
 
Back
Top Bottom