When a metal component has the right shape but a worn surface, nickel plating may offer a practical restoration route for Sunnyvale projects. Decorative Metal Coatings evaluates the base metal, removes old coatings as needed and prepares the surface before plating.
Finish details with attention to the underlying metal
Nickel is valued for both appearance and function. As a decorative finish it can be bright and reflective, softly satin, dark black nickel or polished for a period-correct vintage look. It is also used as the protective base beneath decorative chrome. This approach is useful for suitable chrome underlayers when the original part is worth retaining.
Bright nickel creates a reflective, mirror-like surface; satin or brushed nickel softens the sheen; black nickel produces a smoky gray metallic appearance; and polished vintage nickel is suited to restorations that call for a warmer, traditional look. The finish decision can be guided by the appearance required for casino handles and decorative panels.
The preparation sequence changes with the base metal. Steel, brass, bronze, copper, zinc die cast, aluminum and stainless steel require different cleaning and activation steps, so unusual alloys should be reviewed before a project is accepted. This review is especially important for decorative castings, where base-metal condition and surface detail affect the final result.
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.
From mirror-bright hardware to a restrained satin sheen, the service is selected around the part and its intended appearance. Nickel can also serve as an underlayer for decorative chrome or as a strike on stainless steel.
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.
The sequence is planned around the base metal and finish. Once the scope is approved, old coatings are removed as needed, surfaces are polished or textured, and the parts are plated and checked.
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.
Parts are evaluated individually, then prepared for plating. Stainless steel may require a nickel strike, zinc die cast may need a copper strike, and aluminum requires a zincate treatment to support adhesion.
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.
Projects may involve homeowners, interior designers, property maintenance teams, collectors, restorers, hospitality operators and manufacturers seeking a consistent finish across multiple parts.
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.
Keep the finish clean and consistent
Uncoated nickel may gradually develop a faint yellow haze, especially with humidity and time. This can be part of the character of vintage nickel, but a clear topcoat or chrome over nickel may be better when a cooler, more stable shine is required.
Avoid bleach, ammonia, scouring pads and harsh bathroom cleaners. If the finish has worn through or no longer matches surrounding hardware, the part may be evaluated for stripping and replating.
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 prepares, plates and inspects nickel projects at its Oceanside, California facility. Eligible parts can be shipped from anywhere in the United States after the project and 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 Sunnyvale can send suitable hardware, fixtures and restoration components to our Oceanside shop. We work with customers beyond the local area as well, with shipping arranged after a written quote.
Explore nickel plating information for other California communities. All work is evaluated at our Oceanside facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about nickel finishes, compatible metals, preparation and project timing for customers in Sunnyvale and throughout California.
Electroplated nickel uses electric current and is commonly selected for decorative finishes. Electroless nickel is deposited chemically and provides more uniform coverage in holes and threads, often for precision or functional parts.
The standard production estimate is 3 to 5 weeks. Expedited work may take 5 to 7 business days, subject to review and availability. Written quotes are generally provided within 24 to 48 business hours.
Matched pieces can be evaluated and processed together to help maintain a consistent tone and sheen. A sample or clear daylight photo of the fixture you want to match is useful.
The service includes work such as slot machine handles and trim, antique register details, vintage hardware and other suitable restoration components. Each part is reviewed for material and condition.
Decorative options include bright, satin, brushed, black and polished vintage nickel. The right choice depends on the desired appearance, base metal and condition of the part.
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.
