Metal details often have dimensions or character worth retaining. Nickel refinishing may be an option for suitable pieces from Carlsbad, subject to review of the substrate, existing coating and condition.
Careful evaluation for restoration and matching work
Suitable hardware and decorative components may be refinished with nickel after their existing surface is assessed and prepared. The final appearance depends on the base metal, polishing and the requested nickel finish.
Nickel finishes are not interchangeable in appearance. Bright, satin, brushed, black and polished vintage options should be discussed against a sample or reference, while electroless nickel should be evaluated as a distinct chemical process.
Each project is evaluated individually. Removing old coatings, preparing the surface and checking the finished appearance help determine whether the requested result is practical for the part.
If you are unsure whether your part needs nickel, chrome or electroless nickel, send a few photos and tell us how it will be used. We will explain the difference, recommend a finish and quote it in writing.
Slide the handle across each photo to compare the part as it came in with the finished nickel.
Before
Ornate cast panels with worn, flaking nickel and green corrosion in the recesses. Stripped, hand polished to keep every scroll sharp and replated in polished nickel to match the original look.
Before
Handle collars and cabinet trim dulled by years of hands on the gaming floor. Polished out and plated in bright nickel so every piece in the bank of machines matches again.
Before
Forty pulls in three different worn finishes. Stripped, brushed with the same grain direction and plated in satin nickel so the whole kitchen reads as one matched set.
See the price before you ship a thing.
Snap a few photos from different angles and tell us the finish you have in mind. You'll get a written quote and a realistic lead time. Standard work takes 3 to 5 weeks, and expedited orders are possible when the schedule allows.
Decorative nickel work may include bright, satin, brushed, black and polished vintage finishes. Nickel may also be used as a base beneath decorative chrome or as a strike layer for stainless steel when the project calls for it.
A brilliant, mirror reflective nickel that comes out of the tank already shining. The go to finish for fixtures, trim and display pieces that need sparkle without the cool tint of chrome.
Nickel over a brushed or lightly blasted surface for a quiet, even sheen. Popular on cabinet pulls, plumbing trim and door levers because it hides smudges and everyday scuffs.
A dark, smoky gray nickel with a soft metallic depth. Used for modern hardware, lighting and accent pieces, usually over a bright nickel base and protected with a clear topcoat.
Hand buffed nickel with no chrome on top, the way parts were finished in the early 1900s. The right choice when a restoration should look original rather than modern.
A thick, leveling layer of bright nickel under decorative chrome. It provides most of the corrosion protection and the deep shine people credit to the chrome itself.
A thin, highly active nickel layer that breaks through the oxide on stainless steel and similar alloys, so the plating that follows bonds tightly and does not lift.
Three finishes that are often confused. They share a base metal but differ in how they are applied, how they look and where they perform best.
Project planning starts with the part itself. Photos and finish expectations help determine whether stripping, polishing or other preparation may be needed.
Send photos, the quantity and the nickel finish you have in mind, or ask us to suggest one.
We identify the base metal, note any repairs and reply with pricing within 24 business hours.
After the written quote is approved, parts can be shipped to the Oceanside, California facility or dropped off locally. Include the quote number and identify delicate details, matching requirements or areas that need special attention.
Old plating is stripped, dents and pits are worked out and the surface is polished or brushed.
Parts are nickel plated, checked for color and coverage, packed carefully and sent back.
Suitable nickel-finished components are used in hospitality interiors, restaurants, casinos, residential spaces, antique restoration, marine settings and manufacturing. These are application contexts, not claims of local completed projects.
Slot handles, cabinet trim, chip rails and bar fixtures replated in bright or satin nickel to stay crisp under constant use. Casino resorts across North County San Diego trust us to keep their gaming floors looking new.
Door levers, room numbers, bar foot rails and service hardware matched across an entire property.
Faucet trim, shower fittings, towel bars and accessories refinished to match new polished or satin nickel fixtures.
Cash registers, soda fountain parts, scales, stove trim and clocks returned to their original nickel finish.
Brass cleats, hinges and interior fittings nickel plated to resist the salt air along the Southern California coast.
Production parts that need a clean, corrosion resistant nickel finish delivered on schedule, batch after batch.
Nickel can go on almost any metal, but the cleaning, activation and first layer change with every base material.
Nickel protects steel from rust far better than paint. Rusted parts are stripped and polished first, and pitted areas are filled with copper before nickel goes on.
The classic base for nickel. Most antique hardware and plumbing trim is brass underneath, and it plates cleanly once old finishes and tarnish are removed.
Common in slot machine trim, faucets and newer hardware. It gets a copper strike before nickel, and careful prep keeps the finish from blistering later.
Treated with a zincate dip so nickel can bond, then plated like any other metal. Used for lighter trim, housings and decorative castings.
Receives a nickel strike to break through its natural oxide film. After that, any of our decorative nickel finishes can be applied.
Solid copper takes nickel very well. Unusual alloys are reviewed one at a time, so send the alloy name or a photo before shipping.
Nickel has been part of our daily work since 1989. Collectors, interior designers, casino maintenance teams and manufacturers rely on us because we prepare every surface properly before it ever touches the nickel bath.
Send a photo of your part and receive a no obligation quote within 24 hours.
Every part leaves our shop backed by our craftsmanship guarantee. If you are not satisfied, we make it right.
One antique latch or a pallet of hardware, shipped to us from any state and returned insured.
Most projects are completed within 3 to 5 weeks. Expedited Orders: 5 to 7 business days. Contact us for availability.
A complete list of the nickel finishes and supporting services we handle in our own shop.
Restorers, homeowners and companies keep coming back because the finish is right the first time.
A nickel finish is only as good as the work done before plating. These are the standards every order is held to.
Old nickel, chrome and lacquer are fully stripped so the new nickel bonds to clean metal instead of a failing layer.
Nickel magnifies whatever is under it. Every surface is polished or brushed to its final texture before plating.
Hardware sets are plated and inspected together so tone and sheen stay consistent from the first piece to the last.
Finished parts are individually wrapped and boxed so the nickel arrives free of scratches and fingerprints.
Avoid harsh cleaners and abrasive tools
Use non-abrasive cleaning methods and avoid strong chemicals. A gentle wipe followed by drying is a sensible starting point for most decorative nickel surfaces.
Matching is best discussed with a sample because polished, satin and brushed nickel can vary in tone and texture across brands.
Day to day care is simple. Wipe nickel with a soft cloth and warm water with a drop of mild dish soap, rinse and dry it so water spots do not form. A gentle non abrasive metal polish can bring back the glow on uncoated nickel once in a while.
Avoid bleach, ammonia, scouring pads and harsh bathroom cleaners. They can dull or stain the surface, and on coated parts they break down the clear layer. If a finish has worn through to the brass or steel underneath, we can strip and replate it.
Nickel Plating Gallery
Bright, satin, black and vintage nickel on cabinet pulls, slot machine trim, antique registers and marine fittings.
Decorative Metal Coatings performs nickel preparation, plating and inspection at its Oceanside, California facility. Eligible projects can be shipped from anywhere in the United States after the scope and written quote are confirmed.
Email photos of each part and the nickel finish you want. We reply with a written quote and lead time, often the same business day. Please wait for a quote number before you ship.
Wrap every piece on its own in bubble wrap or foam so nothing rubs, and leave three inches of padding around the contents. Keep small screws and escutcheons together in a labeled bag.
Declare the full value with your carrier and email us the tracking number so your parts are checked in the same day they arrive.
Once the nickel is finished we send photos for your approval, then pack everything in new materials and ship it back fully insured.
All nickel work is stripped, polished, plated and inspected at our own shop in Oceanside, in North County San Diego.
Nickel, chrome, copper and metal finishing in San Diego County since 1989.
Customers in Carlsbad can send suitable hardware, fixtures and restoration components to our Oceanside shop. Projects are reviewed before shipment, and packing instructions are provided as part of the quote process.
Explore nickel plating information for other California communities. All work is evaluated at our Oceanside facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn about nickel finishes, preparation, material review and project timing for Carlsbad customers and other California projects.
Bright nickel has a more reflective appearance. Satin nickel is softer and less mirror-like, while brushed finishes show a directional texture.
Compatibility depends on the specific alloy and part condition. Steel, brass, bronze, copper and some other substrates may be evaluated; special materials require review before a process is confirmed.
Often, existing coatings must be removed so the substrate can be inspected and properly prepared. The required steps depend on the current finish and part condition.
Nickel can serve as an intermediate layer in decorative chrome finishing. The complete system depends on the part and the specified appearance.
Send photos, quantity, base-metal information if known and your preferred finish. A written quote is provided after the project is reviewed.
Not at all. Most of what comes through our door is home and business hardware: faucets, light fixtures, door handles, cabinet pulls, railings and decorative pieces. We also work for hotels, restaurants, boat owners and manufacturers.
Tell us what the part is, roughly how big it is, how many pieces you have and the finish you're after. If you know the metal, mention it. If not, that's fine. We can usually tell from the photos.
Every part is quoted on its own. The biggest factors are condition, the base metal, size and shape, the finish you choose and how many pieces you send. A part with deep pits or broken spots takes more work before it can be plated.
