Nickel plating paperboy handlebars at home?

DPtwiz

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Check this out.. for the price i am going to try it.

http://www.micromark.com/PLUG-N-PLATE-NICKEL-PLATING-KIT,8326.html

I don't have anyplace close to do it, looks pretty damn sweet! They also have a copper plating kit, i may buy both and do the copper as a base to even out the look of the handlebars first, then lay on the nickel afterwards. I would guess it would need 2 coats of nickel for durability.
 
it will be a little while, i have some cabs to finish for seawolf but paperboy is my next resto. I have it striped to empty bare cabinet, and all parts in a few milk crates. That was as far as i got! I may order it next payday. I need to get some 3000 grit sandpaper for the final sand on these, i know it needs to be ultra smooth for plating.
 
Are the bars nickel plated or chrome plated? I don't have them, but would have guessed chrome.
 
i would have too, but they are actually nickel plated. Nickel can be polished and looks about the same as chrome.
 
you know.. i bet you could plate the midway coin slots that are almost always rusty with this kit.
 
Looked at the site, states that the Copper Kit could be used on pot metal.

This could be the answer for all the Tapper cup holders... :)
 
i do my own mold making/resin casting and i have bought tons of stuff from there.
 
Beware of anything containing hexachromium bad shit, it makes asbestos look like candy . They give us serious training and protective gear for working with it.
 
Are the bars nickel plated or chrome plated? I don't have them, but would have guessed chrome.

Being a polisher by trade...

Pretty much anything that is "Plated" for looks is first nickel plated then chrome over the nickel for durability. non ferrous metals are first copper plated then go through the above steps.

BTW be sure to polish and buff the parts to near perfection before plating them, the plating process will not cover up any imperfections in the metal. actually it will highlight any of them.
 
good advise! I knew the actual plating is very thin. Would you recommend the copper plate as a base under the nickel? I have a friend who is in the auto restoration business since 1963, he has all the specialty buffing wheels, etc.. on a large bench setup, i am going to take them to him for the final polish before i try it.
 
good advise! I knew the actual plating is very thin. Would you recommend the copper plate as a base under the nickel? I have a friend who is in the auto restoration business since 1963, he has all the specialty buffing wheels, etc.. on a large bench setup, i am going to take them to him for the final polish before i try it.

IF a magnet sticks to them (unplated) than copper is not required and really wont do anything for you.
 
My bars have some darker patches on them, even though they are really smooth, was worried about the plating covering it without having any light/dark areas.
 
As for the dark arias, polish(sand paper) the hell out of them, then buff them smooth, get them HOT while buffing them and they should almost shine.

What are these made of? dose anyone know?

If you can not get them buffed up nice maybe you will want to send them to me and for a very fair price i will do it for you.
 
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