An existing fixture or fitting may be worth refinishing rather than replacing. Decorative nickel offers several appearance options, and each Jurupa Valley project is reviewed for material, condition and intended use before work is quoted.
An overview of nickel finishes and preparation
Decorative electroplated nickel forms a metallic layer on a properly prepared part. The result can range from bright and reflective to softer satin appearances, depending on the selected finish and process.
Finish selection can include bright, satin, brushed, black or polished vintage nickel. These appearances should be distinguished from electroless nickel, which is deposited chemically and is generally chosen for different functional requirements.
Before plating, the team evaluates the base material, geometry and condition. Existing finishes may need removal, followed by appropriate surface preparation and inspection after plating.
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.
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.
To begin, share clear photos, the number of pieces and a finish reference. The parts are evaluated for material, condition and preparation needs before a written estimate is prepared.
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.
Simple care for a lasting finish
Use a soft cloth for routine dusting. When needed, clean gently with mild soap and water, then dry fully to reduce water marks; avoid abrasive compounds.
Existing retail finishes may not match exactly because plating systems, topcoats and surface textures differ. A physical sample is more useful than relying on 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 Jurupa Valley 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 Jurupa Valley customers and other California projects.
Decorative options may include bright, satin, brushed, black and polished vintage nickel. The suitable choice depends on the part, substrate and requested appearance.
No. Electroplated nickel uses electric current to deposit nickel, while electroless nickel is deposited through a chemical process. They serve different applications and should not be treated as interchangeable.
Existing nickel, chrome or lacquer may be evaluated for removal. The preparation route depends on the part and the condition of its base material.
Related parts can be reviewed together to help coordinate their appearance. A sample or clear reference photo helps communicate the desired tone and sheen.
Use a soft cloth and mild soap and water, then rinse and dry. Avoid abrasive pads and harsh chemicals, and confirm care instructions for any protective topcoat.
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.
