Chrome vs nickle plating

[t walgamuth]

I have noted some cars in the rod mags with nickel plating instead of chrome. Anybody with experience in this subject?

I am considering it on my 39 Studebaker.

[MS Fowler]

What, do they just do the copper and the nickel?
Caswell used sell a DIY brush plating kit for copper and nickel

[t walgamuth]

Dunno details....sorry.

[elchivito]

No experience with cars, but while I like nickel plated guns better than hard chromed, nickel seems brittle and flakes off much easier. Great on the flats but sharp or curved surfaces are easy to ding. Maybe it's cheaper?

[MTI]

There are also dual plated applications. Nickel plating is cheaper than chrome, so many parts have a nickel base and then a very thin chrome plating. Nickel is durable (thicker coat) and more corrosion resistant than chrome, while chrome resists tarnishing. Chrome can be subject to wear (rub off) and isn't particularly corrosion resistant.

[rocky raccoon]

Nickle plating has a yellowish caste whereas chrome has a bluish caste.

[t walgamuth]

Nickel sounds like a viable alternative.

Thanks guys!

[MS Fowler]

Tom, I am sure you know, but for anyone who doesn't....
"Triple Chrome Plating" does not mean three layers of chrome. I refers to the three step process--copper, nickle--chrome. After the item is cleaned ( REALLY cleaned), it is given a coat of copper. Blemishes and pits can be repaired and soldered, and re-contoured as needed. Another flash of copper to even up the appearance, a final buffing and then it gets a coat of nickel to make it bright and protect the copper. The chrome is VERY thin and adds that final sparkle and ( as noted above) a slight bluish cast, and protects the nickel from tarnishing.
I think if you nickel plate something, you will need to periodically buff/ polish to make it gleam.

[MS Fowler]

Here is a link:
Plating Kits Electroplating Kits Aluminum Anodizing Kits Powder Coating Systems Metal Polishing And Buffing Supplies - Caswell Inc

[t walgamuth]

Thanks for all the helpful comments!

[Hatterasguy]

Most hardware on old boats was nickle plated until chrome came into vogue. I want to say the transition happened right after WW2.

Its the old fashion way to do it, and not as durable.

[unkl300d]

"I think if you nickel plate something, you will need to periodically buff/ polish to make it gleam."-- MS Fowler

Yup that's it. The maintenance.

[spdrun]

Chromium compounds are environmentally toxic and often strongly carcinogenic -- I suspect a lot of firms are moving to nickel because of less EPA paperwork.

[Txjake]

Had a flat track bike that was nickel plated, looked cool. Like someone mentioned, nickel is an underlay in triple plating. You will need to maintain it.