Re-Plating Kits?

So...the rotation has for the most part solidified, however I am sure something may come along that may require a test drive. A few of the keepers need a new set of clothes as well as a small box of new bars, although the polished copper and brass looks pretty good on its own. The re-plating prices vary a bit, but the rhodium prices make my heart palpitate. I am not one of the unfortunate few who have a reaction to nickel and I do not mind hand polishing my users now and then. My research has found that some plater's chemical prep, some sand/bead blast, some hand prep. Since I hand prep myself, I have been looking around at small plating kits. So far I have found kits for nickel starting about $48.00 up to $300.00 plus. Does anyone have experience with home kits?

Nickel makes the most sense to me as a starting place. I think Rhodium dipping may be out of my league at this point, but nickel is a good durable surface and looks good when polished. My reading suggests the key piece is all metal pieces need to be prepped very well. Any surface imperfections will transmit thru the plating. Next is surface cleaning to get any residuals off of the parts prior plating. The smaller kits premix the solutions so that takes out some of the variables. My only concern so far is limited supplies in the kits, but my guess is one kit may do a half a dozen 3 piece razors.

So...any of you handy guys played with attempts at plating...? has anyone used the linked kit...? http://www.micromark.com/Plug-N-Plate-Nickel-Plating-Kit,8326.html

Wouldn't do it. You are gonna have some nasty chemical waste from home plating that is really hard to properly dispose of, and it's a lot easier, and probably cheaper in the long run to find somebody else to do it. Lots of good platers on here and I know that Krona Kruiser has a plater that does a really great job for about $25, and he does the polishing himself.

In terms of plating kits, the Caswell kit is the best I know of. (http://www.caswellplating.com/). However, I only have experience with the silver plate kit. The plating is VERY thin; would likely wear off in a month if you frequently use the razor.
I reccomend just shipping it off for it. Some finishing work likely has to be done for it to stick well.

Well, I have not tried a kit but see one more problem, you must get that old plating off. Really toxic job. There are gentlemen at this very forum, they replate for a small fee if you choose nickel.


http://www.restoredrazors.com/replating-and-restoration-services/

sychodelix said:

Wouldn't do it. You are gonna have some nasty chemical waste from home plating that is really hard to properly dispose of, and it's a lot easier, and probably cheaper in the long run to find somebody else to do it. Lots of good platers on here and I know that Krona Kruiser has a plater that does a really great job for about $25, and he does the polishing himself.

Click to expand...

+1 Very challenging to do it properly at home with all the residual chemicals and such. Good luck if you do.

In California, plating facilities cannot be near hospitals or schools. Highly toxic chemicals like cyanide are used in the process. I do know that the kits work but I could imagine it being such a hassle to maintain and deal with the waste like was mentioned. If your willing to do it, more power to you. It sounds like a pretty fun endeavor.