What do you do at 'The Nickel Plater'?

I re-plate with nickel, the original plating material, worn engine drivers/wheels and other small parts!

Why?

       When the original wheel plating wears off, your wheels become more susceptible to dirt contamination which impedes electrical pickup and that can effect operation. Replating renews the original conductivity and dirt resistance of the driver...

How do you do it?

        Basically, my preferred method is to first ultra-sonically clean your wheels. After they are dry, I mask the wheels with a clear lacquer. This is polished off the tire which is then buffed to a high shine/lustre. The higher the shine before plating, the higher the shine on the final plated product. By putting a clean item to be plated into the plating solution, the chance of any contaminants getting into the solution and becoming part of the plating on your tire is infinitely reduced...resulting in a superior final product...

Can I send you painted drivers?

   Yes. Once plated, on a painted set of wheels the lacquer is removed from the axle for electrical conductivity. The lacquer is not removed from the drivers themselves as that would damage the paint job. I will apply Dullcoat to the wheels if you choose to reduce any residual shine... 

What about unpainted wheels?

        On unpainted wheels, the lacquer is entirely removed from the wheels and axles...

Are there any pitfalls to this process?

      Not always will the worn wheels be able to be polished and buffed up to the original shine. If there are nicks, dings or scratches in the wheel sets you send to me, I may not be able to take these all out without damaging the wheel, in which case I will polish the wheel as best as possible then plate. While you may still be able to see the scratches and nicks, rest assured that they are plated and will cause you far less trouble than before...

So I will get wheels back from you that look like new?

 You will get wheels back which look far better than the ones you sent to me and in most cases the difference between new and replated would be quite indiscernible to the naked eye. BUT, in all cases, it is a replating of the original...close...but no banana. I like bananas...

MOST IMPORTANT...

The electrical properties of the newly plated wheels will virtually mimic those of new drivers...

What do you charge?

$40 labor minimum plus $12 per axle plus $10.00 USPS Priority Mail back to you...

How would someone rate this service?

Bob from Texas,

 "Phil, I got the re-plated wheels and am really impressed.  They look better than new!"

Before...

After...

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