Refinish nickel

pruss

September 20, 2009 16:44

how difficult or expensive is it to re-finish a nickel plated revolver?

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  dcs shooters

  September 20, 2009 18:08

  Old finish has to be stripped and replaced. Contact plater and ask.

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  ruger41

  September 20, 2009 18:12

  depends on how badly pitted the gun is but prices seem to start at $300 plus shipping to a decent place like Fords. http://www.fordsguns.com/index2-1.htm
  
  http://www.oldwestgunsmith.com/gunsmith/prices.htm#Pricing David Chicoine is a master with refinishing guns and his prices reflect it.
  
  It might be more cost effective to reblue the gun if that is what you want--just be aware that you will more than likely devalue the gun to a collector if you decide to sell the gun later no matter what finish you go with-most serious collectors want untouched pieces.

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  pruss

  September 21, 2009 01:13

  Thanks for the replies I'm looking at a lemon squeezer that's nickel finish is completely gone. If I can buy it right I would re-finish it and use it.

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  nmyers

  September 21, 2009 03:34

  Any commercial plating shop can remove plating & replate gun parts. However, only a few shops, like the ones ruger41 named, also have the skill & knowledge to evaluate all parts & replace those that are worn/broken. They also have the skill to R&R parts like the barrel, & they know whether or not a copper base must be applied before the nickel.
  
  Plating adds thickness to parts, so it may not be possible to go from a plated finish to a blue finish, or vice versa.
  
  Considering that replacement parts are not likely to be available, plus the high cost of labor, this may not be a practical project.
  
  Neal

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  beantownshootah

  September 21, 2009 07:33

  I've looked into this, and determined that its probably not cost-effective to re-nickel any kind of "beater" gun that you are actually going to use.
  
  It might make sense to do this with an heirloom type gun or other gun that has sentimental value, but as mentioned any time you refinish a gun you erode its collectors value or potential collectors value (assuming it has any).
  
  With very rare exceptions, refinishing a gun almost always costs more than the value it adds to the gun. (In other words, its a money losing proposition).
  
  A good re-nickel job is going to run at least $200, and possibly considerably more. With an ordinary handgun, for that kind of money, you're probably better off just selling the gun you have and buying a similar one with a nice nickel finish.

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  11b6r

  September 21, 2009 08:19

  FWIW, nickel plating does not go directly on steel. Traditionally, these were copper plated, and nickel plated over the copper. So you have the thickness of a layer of copper, then a layer of nickel. Company called Texas Platers had a small gunmith kit that, IIRC, used a dry cell battery as power source, intended for small touchup, etc.
  
  IF you attempt a refinish yourself, PLEASE be very careful. Plating uses some fairly nasty chemicals that can cause your toenails to turn plaid, babies be born nekkid, etc.

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  pruss

  September 21, 2009 15:28

  Thanks for all the replies.I guess it's probably better to look for one that's in better condition.

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  Bill DeShivs

  September 21, 2009 16:59

  Nickel does not have to have a copper underplate, and most gun companies plate nickel directly on steel. Bumper plating shops use copper underplate.

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