Decorative nickel offers several ways to update the look of existing hardware and fixtures. Each part from Cerritos is considered individually, since substrate and surface condition influence preparation and finish.
Metal preparation is central to decorative plating
Decorative nickel plating adds a nickel layer to a prepared component through an electrolytic process. The appearance depends on surface preparation, polishing and the selected finish.
Finish options can include bright, satin, brushed, black and polished vintage nickel. These should not be confused with electroless nickel, which uses chemical deposition rather than electric current.
Every component is checked for base material, existing finish and visible damage. Surface preparation is chosen accordingly, because plating will not automatically hide scratches, pits or worn details.
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.
Big order or a single knob, same care.
Homeowners send us one faucet. Companies in and out of state send production runs of hundreds or thousands of parts. Both get a written quote and the same inspection before anything ships back.
Nickel finishing options include reflective bright nickel, softer satin nickel and darker specialty appearances. The appropriate route depends on the substrate, part condition and desired appearance.
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.
To start a project, provide images of the parts, approximate dimensions, quantity and any finish reference. This information helps us assess preparation needs and quote the work.
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 quote is approved, parts can be shipped to the Oceanside, California facility or dropped off locally. Include the quote number and identify delicate features or matching requirements.
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.
Decorative nickel components may be used in hospitality interiors, restaurants, residential spaces, antique restoration, marine settings and manufacturing. These are general application areas, 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.
Care methods should suit the selected finish
Use a soft cloth for routine care. If needed, wash with mild soap and water, rinse and dry thoroughly; avoid abrasive cleaners and polishing compounds unless approved for the finish.
Retail polished and brushed nickel products can differ in tone and grain. A sample gives a better reference than a product name alone.
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 Cerritos can send suitable hardware, fixtures and restoration components to our Oceanside shop. Each project is reviewed before shipment, with packing guidance provided after the quote is confirmed.
Explore nickel plating information for other California communities. All work is evaluated at our Oceanside facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about decorative nickel options, base metals, preparation and project planning for Cerritos customers.
Bright nickel is more reflective, while satin nickel has a softer, less mirror-like appearance. Brushed finishes may also show a directional texture.
No. Electroplated nickel uses electric current to deposit the metal. Electroless nickel uses a chemical process and is selected for different functional requirements.
Vintage parts can be assessed, but age, alloy, previous repairs and fragile details may affect whether refinishing is suitable.
Nickel can form an intermediate layer in decorative chrome systems. The complete finish depends on the part and the specified appearance.
Quotes are generally returned within 24 to 48 hours after receiving the required details. Standard production is typically 3 to 5 weeks. Rush production may be 5 to 7 business days, subject to review and availability.
Send us a few photos of the part from different angles, along with what it is and the finish you want. We look them over and send a written quote, usually within 24 business hours. It's free, and you're under no obligation to go ahead.
Standard orders take 3 to 5 weeks from the day your parts arrive. If you're on a deadline, ask about expedited service. When the schedule allows, we can finish in 5 to 7 business days.
Yes. Our workmanship is covered for 12 months. If something isn't right with the finish we put on, call us and we'll make it right.
